The Clumber Park Classic Duathlon

Clumber Park is with little doubt one of the most picturesque settings for a duathlon that you are ever likely to race on. A truly spectacular National Trust Country Park with acre upon acre of woodland, whether racing the sprint or the classic distance race you will not be short of some beautiful countryside on which to feast your eyes. As with every beauty however, there is always a beast, and the Clumber Classic Duathlon is no exception though it does save its beast till last.

With two separate events, this duathlon is a great event for all athletes, both new and old. For the new the sprint event will be a gentle welcome to the sport of duathlon. For the more experienced athletes, both events are a great warm up for the season ahead and an opportunity to test the winter training. For those slightly more serious athletes, the classic distance will give the opportunity to qualify to compete for points in the British Triathlon National Ranking Series, or in the Great Britain Age Group Team for the ITU World Duathlon Championships that will be taking place in North Caolina, USA in September.

Let's talk about the actual event then. The two run sections are the sting in the tail, and whilst remaining completely within the park on the private tree lined road which is fully closed for the race, you may find the outward climb, which whilst not steep maintains a steady ascent for the duration, is the bit where you would be willing to swap some of the beauty for a little bit of flat tarmac. The good news is on the way back it's pretty much all downhill.

The bike course is through unquestionably some of the most beautiful tree lined routes in the UK. The long rolling roads will however test your strength as the roads pitch from climb to descent so you needn't think that the bike is going to be just a sightseeing tour.

As for the name, well everything about Clumber Park brings back a feeling of a classic venue. Originally the principal seat of the Dukes of Newcastle from the early 18th century onwards, and having the outstanding gardens and Gothic Revival Chapel as backdrop to the race gives a feeling of times gone by.

In part designed by Capability Brown the great English landscape gardener who was accorded the title by many as "England's greatest gardener". Clumber Park is a perfect setting to test your own capabilities and contest your hard won achievement... and then relax in a beautiful venue that has barely changed for two hundred years.