Set in the Yorkshire Country side and In the grounds of Castle Howard this was never going to be easy.

Swim briefing and swim location are picturesque with steam rising from the lake. The lake is not very deep and with an out and back 2 loop swim course this is a swim course for both beginner and seasoned open water swimmer. Sighting is pretty easy and it's difficult to get lost. Once the swim is done there is the nice 400m uphill run to transition, it would have been nice for your transition time to start straight out of the water rather than at the top of the hill.

The bike course is a 2 loop lumpy route. There is a fast section from about 13km to the aid station but the rest of the course consists of lots of rolling hills and a couple of steep ones. Very nice scenery if you wanted to have a look and some good support in the villages you pass through. Fantastic marshalling dotted everywhere around the route.

T2 is a breeze and it's out onto the brutal run course. Undulating and mixed terrain to say the least, if you want a fast run this is not the place but it's different and scenic.

overall a good experience, very well organised, decent goody bag and post race benefits. Marshall's were great all weekend and a race I would do again.