Leeds Castle claims to be "the loveliest castle in the world" and even in Kent,  a county that has more than it's fair share of castles, it is pretty special. 2014 was the first year that triathlon has been staged here and I thought that it was a great success, unique venue and brilliantly organised and marshalled by Ocean Lake Tri. 

One of the key features is that you actually get to swim in the moat of the castle. This brings its own unique challenges, the moat is only about four feet deep, the course zig zags quite a bit to get the full 750m in one circuit and you have to swim between two stone arches - which, of course I managed to bash into.

2014 was a "deep" water start, and on enetering the lake your feet sink into 900 years of duck/swan/goose/fish poo. Lovely. I undertsand that 2015 is a beach start, even so I'm not desperately looking forward to recreating that experience at a gallop.

Short run out of the swim to T1, short jog to the mount line and you're off. Look out for a couple of speedbumps as you work your way out of the castle grounds, last year they were marked with flourescent paint - that's what happens when traithletes organise traithlons.

Once you are out of the grounds it's a TT ride out on an A road to a roundabout and back. Course undulates but nothing worthy of calling a climb. Speedbumps are still there on the way back in.

In 2014 the photographers (Sussex Sports Photography I think) did a great job of getting bike shots with the castle as the back drop.

Run is mainly on (mown) grass with a bit of tarmac, there is one nasty little hill with a false summit quite early on but once past that no worries at all. On my way up the hill I had a marshal encouraging me to "hold my form" never had that shouted at me by a marshal before!

Finish chute has the castle as backdrop again so get your game face on for the finish line photo!

In summary, great location, unique swim, friendly race - worth doing.

NB You also get to stay in the castle grounds for the rest of the day if you want - as do those with spectator tickets.