Swim 2.5K
Sat 20 Jun 2026 Malpas, Cheshire

Cholmondeley Castle | 2.5K Swim

Swim in the beautiful Deer Park Mere of the Cholmondeley Castle estate in a 2.5K event suitable for a range of experience levels, then celebrate with friends and family in the festival village.

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  • Sat 20 Jun 2026
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Swim 2.5K

11:00

Age 16 & over

£55

  • 2.5 km lake swimming

Event overview

Join in at the Cholmondeley Castle Multisport Event to race through the beautiful 500-acre parklands and surrounding area of stunning Cheshire.

Pick your discipline – triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, aquathlon, swim and run – and choose a distance. Recruit your friends and celebrate completing your challenge in the festival village.

Throughout the Cholmondeley Castle Multisport Event athletes and spectators can enjoy a fun-packed festival village, right in the heart of this beautiful estate, featuring live music, shopping, food and drink, children’s entertainment, yoga and more.

This Cheshire castle has been home to the Cholmondeley Family since the 12th Century and its grounds feature Deer Park Mere which is a beautiful setting for our open water swim. To the south of the castle lies Tower Hill, the highest point of the run routes, where athletes are rewarded with panoramic views of the Beeston and Peckforton Hills.

This event is part of Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival.

  • Average fitness
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Spectators
  • Swim hat provided
  • Teams
  • Wetsuit not allowed if too hot
  • Wetsuit required if too cold

Anyone of any gender, age or ability is welcome and safe to take part in a race. First-timers and old-timers, the next generation and the elites, clubs and corporates, schools and seniors are welcome. The more the merrier.

Clubs

Discounts and club event areas.

All sports clubs are welcome to take part in the events and group discounts are available, tailored waves for club championships, trading places scheme, as well as allocating you a place to pitch gazebos for a meeting spot in the event village.

Corporates

Creating healthy teams.

There are opportunities for companies to experience the events together – a great way to build team morale and friendly competition. This can include group booking discounts, pre- and post-race refreshment from your own hospitality marquee, your own company wave, custom kit and more.

Accessible racing

Racing for all.

This event has an ethos of accessibility and inclusivity and wants to be able to offer a race for everyone. Many inspirational paratriathletes have taken part in one of the Castle Triathlon Series races over the years including Paralympian Matthew Emmerson, the Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters – injured and wounded service men and women.

First timers

Compete or complete.

There are starter distances across all disciplines and a very supportive community of athletes and marshals to help you feel confident and comfortable completing your first race.

Juniors

The next generation.

From jumping in a lake, cycling through the woods to running around a castle, there are unforgettable, accessible races for 9–16 year olds at amazing locations.

Elites

Races for champions.

Rising stars and athletes have raced in the Castle Race Series from the very beginning. Many of these triathlon events host qualifying and national championships races in partnership with the BTF, TI and FF Tri, and the obstacle race is now a OCR World Championship Qualifier.

Female focussed

Closing the gap.

Over the last few years female participation has been increased to 38% by adding a greater variety of distances, female-only waves, launching the virtual series and making strategic partnerships.

Armed Forces

Race savings.

Discounts are offered on races to those who are serving or have served in the armed forces.

Bike hire

Choose between a road, hybrid or carbon road bike. If you don't have a bike or prefer not to have the hassle of transporting yours, bike hire is the perfect option.

Photography

Photographers are on-site to capture you in action!

Medals and prizes

Podium presentations take place for all races. All participants receive a medal which can be personalised with your name and finish time.

Training advice

Tri Training Harder help athletes prepare for this event through different coaching packages which include race specific training plans, pre-event training sessions and a virtual training club.

Merchandise

Race kit: Train for your race in Castle Race Series Kit and purchase a finisher t-shirt to make sure everyone knows you've conquered the castle!

Wetsuit hire

10% discount code. Adventure Kit Hire is the quick, easy and affordable solution to making sure you have a high-performance technical wetsuit for your race.

Buy wetsuits

15% discount with Yonda.

Spectators

A fantastic day out! Supporters are welcome to come along, explore the stunning castle grounds, cheer athletes on from numerous up close viewing spots, enjoy the event village entertainment and soak up the festival atmosphere.

  • First aid
  • Marshals
  • Wave start

Swim

Saturday 1 mile, 2.5K, 5K

map

  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Park
  • Rural

Event HQ

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens
Cheshire
Malpas
Cheshire
SY14 8AH
UK

Camping

From £30 per pitch.

There is a family campsite for tents and caravans in the gorgeous castle grounds with pitches starting at £30.

  • Chip timing
  • Medal

Race pack Includes

  • Swim hat
  • Chip timing device
  • Event wristband

Available on the day

This event is more than just the race! There's an event village for you and your supporters to enjoy, featuring:

  • Shopping village
  • Drinks and refreshments
  • Delicious food
  • Live music
  • Prizes for the fastest athletes
  • Opportunity to purchase official event merchandise
  • Opportunity to purchase official race photos

This was my first triathlon and I really enjoyed it. The event was well organised and there was lots of information available before and on the day. Danielle W

First triathlon event - it felt well organised and the marshals were great especially those who were in the more isolated parts of the bike course. There was a good amount of feed stations around the bike course and enough for the run for sure. Joe M

This was my second time doing the sprint triathlon at Cholmondeley Castle, it's a fast cycle route and well sign posted but I always do a recky the day before just to make sure I know the route. Run off road and challenging last km. Steve C

Very well organised event in a beautiful location. All staff & marshals were friendly and helpful. Andy M

First time at this Castles venue for me, I'd always been intrigued. Wasn't disappointed, its fabulous as usual. TC_Anthony G

First time doing the Castle Race Series and it didn't disappoint. It was well run from start to finish, great information prior to the event, registration was smooth and seamless, and the event was well organised. Emma D

This was my second year doing the Olympic distance, I'll be moving on to a different triathlon event next year but I'd highly recommend this event weekend to anyone new to the sports on offer or for the fun and family friendly environment. Deiniol W

Have been racing triathlon on and off with the Castle Series since its inception. First time doing the Gauntlet. Joanne H

First time with the castle series, fantastic event, not overwhelming like I'd expect an Ironman to be. Catherine W

Absolutely amazing event. The organisation and smooth running of the day is second to none. Jonathan T

Great event. Lovely atmosphere. All marshals super helpful. H R

Back at Cholmondeley after many years. Great race, venue and course. Nick M

This is a well organised event, very beginner friendly, great bike course with super views and lovely run around the castle grounds. Carolyn H

Really enjoy this event. It is our second year back, camping the night before and enjoying the venue post race. Glenn W

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

This event appreciates that the health of the planet is a huge challenge and has made commitments to tackle these challenges which they will continually measure, evolve and improve.

These environmental commitments include:

  • Reducing material use - prioritising using less
  • Reusing - finding better alternatives
  • Recycling - wherever possible
  • Being a responsible buyer - sourcing sustainably with an ethical framework in place

Take part for the charity of your own choice if you wish!

  • Age 16 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Entry fee

£55.00

Enter now

Other races at event

  • Sun 21 Jun
  • #1 of 25
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Triathlon 9-10 years

14:15

Age 9-10

£35-£60

  • 200 m lake swimming
  • 4.2 km road cycling
  • 1.3 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
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Triathlon 11-12 years | Sat

14:00

Age 11-12

£40-£60

  • 300 m lake swimming
  • 4.2 km road cycling
  • 1.6 km road running
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Triathlon 13-14 years

14:00

Age 13-14

£45-£60

  • 400 m lake swimming
  • 8.4 km road cycling
  • 2.2 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
  • #4 of 25
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Triathlon 15-16 years

13:30

Age 15-16

£50-£60

  • 500 m lake swimming
  • 8.4 km road cycling
  • 2.2 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
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Triathlon Starter

10:15

Age 15 & over

£80-£120

  • 200 m lake swimming
  • 14 km road cycling + 387 ft ascent
  • 2.5 km road running
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Triathlon Super Sprint

09:45

Age 15 & over

£95-£145

  • 400 m lake swimming
  • 28 km road cycling
  • 4 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
  • #7 of 25
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Triathlon Sprint

08:30

Age 15 & over

£100-£150

  • 750 m lake swimming
  • 28 km road cycling
  • 5 km road running + 164 ft ascent
  • Sat 20 Jun
  • #8 of 25
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Triathlon Sprint Plus

08:00

Age 17 & over

£115-£155

  • 800 m lake swimming
  • 42 km road cycling
  • 8 km road running
  • Sun 21 Jun
  • #9 of 25
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Triathlon Olympic

10:00

Age 17 & over

£125-£165

  • 1.5 km lake swimming
  • 42 km road cycling
  • 10.5 km road running
  • Sun 21 Jun
  • #10 of 25
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Triathlon Gauntlet

08:00

Age 18 & over

£245-£295

  • 1.9 km lake swimming
  • 84 km road cycling
  • 21 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
  • #11 of 25
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Duathlon Sprint

09:15

Age 15 & over

£75

  • 5 km trail running
  • 28 km road cycling
  • 2.5 km trail running
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Duathlon Standard

09:30

Age 17 & over

£80

  • 10 km trail running
  • 42 km road cycling
  • 5 km trail running + 164 ft ascent
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas
Duathlon Middle

09:00

Age 18 & over

£90

  • 10 km trail running
  • 56 km road cycling
  • 10 km trail running
  • Sat 20 Jun
  • #14 of 25
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Aquabike Sprint

09:30

Age 15 & over

£65

  • 750 m lake swimming
  • 28 km road cycling
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Aquabike Standard

10:30

Age 17 & over

£70

  • 1.5 km lake swimming
  • 42 km road cycling
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Aquathlon Sprint

09:30

Age 15 & over

£50

  • 750 m lake swimming
  • 5 km road running + 164 ft ascent
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Aquathlon Standard

10:30

Age 17 & over

£65

  • 1.5 km lake swimming
  • 10 km road running
  • Sat 20 Jun
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Swim 1 Mile

11:15

Age 13 & over

£45

  • 1 mile lake swimming
  • Sat 20 Jun
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Swim 5K

10:45

Age 18 & over

£65

  • 5 km lake swimming
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Run 10K

11:15

Age 15 & over

£35

  • 10 km trail running
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Run Half Marathon

11:00

Age 17 & over

£45

  • 21.1 km trail running
  • Sun 21 Jun
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Run Marathon

09:15

Age 18 & over

£65-£80

  • 42.2 km trail running
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Triathlon 11-12 years | Sun

14:00

Age 11-12

£40-£60

  • 300 m lake swimming
  • 4.2 km road cycling
  • 1.6 km road running
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Mixed Team Relay

15:00

Age 16 & over

£140

  • 250 m lake swimming
  • 5 km road cycling
  • 1.5 km road running
4 steps to wellbeing
Sleep well

A good night's sleep is an essential foundation for a healthy lifestyle, effective training and weight control.

Train slow

Low-intensity training is easier for you, reduces the risk of injury and helps builds an efficient aerobic system.

Eat natural

Cut out sugar & junk food, reduce carbs, eat natural foods and train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Get outdoors

Fresh air, natural light and reconnecting with nature all help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.