The Castle Run Series is part of the renowned Castle Race Series which hosts events at some of the UK’s most iconic castles. These multi-sport events include both triathlons and running races, set against the breathtaking backdrops of historical landmarks. One of the most scenic locations in this series is Castle Howard, North Yorkshire. My friend and I, both avid runners, decided to sign up for the half marathon as part of our marathon training for the Loch Ness Marathon. And thanks to a Groupon deal, we got a great discount on our entry fee.
While the picturesque setting seemed like the perfect place to race, the day itself presented a fair share of challenges.
Pre-Race Chaos
One thing that struck me immediately was the lack of clear communication in the lead-up to race day. No emails were sent, and no postal information was received, leaving us uncertain about some of the race-day logistics. After checking the race information on the Castle Triathlon website, I still wasn’t much clearer on key details like the start time, so I reached out to the event team. It turns out that triathlon-style races often operate with more last-minute communication. In fact, we only received our wave start time via text on the Friday before the race—a bit too late for those of us who like to plan in advance.
The lack of clear information added a bit of stress, but being local, we knew to leave early and avoid the usual traffic congestion on the A64. This did give us the bonus of cheering on the triathletes before our own race, which was both inspiring and humbling. We picked up our race numbers (though there was a slight mishap with my friend being given the wrong bib number), and from that point on, we were ready to tackle the half marathon.
Race Start: The Heat Hits
The race kicked off at 10:30 a.m., and the half marathon course consisted of two loops of an “undulating” trail. Let’s be honest here: “undulating” was an understatement for the first 5k. The initial stretch was brutal, with uneven terrain and scorching heat from the sun overhead. I distinctly remember thinking, “I’m not finishing this. 10k will have to do.”
My hands had swollen up, my energy was draining fast, and my mindset was on the verge of quitting. However, I couldn’t shake the thought of friends who had recently completed the 100k Race to the Stones. If they could power through that, surely I could survive this half marathon. So I soldiered on, despite the unforgiving heat and tough terrain.
Battling the Elements and the Triathletes
The course had large, sun-exposed areas that were hard-going in the baking heat. Uneven ground and cracks in the trail kept us all on high alert, making sure we didn’t trip. On top of that, the course was shared with triathletes, which added another layer of complexity. Some triathletes were considerate, shouting warnings like “approaching left” as they passed us. Others, however, were far less courteous and expected us to move out of their way without notice.
By this point, I was mentally and physically exhausted, not just from the race itself, but from the constant dodging of cyclists. The triathletes seemed frustrated that runners were slowing them down, and very few showed any appreciation when we made space for them to pass. I had to remind myself that everyone paid to participate, and we all had an equal right to be on that course.
Finding the Shade
The second half of the loop was a welcome reprieve, as it took us through shaded woodland. Here, I was able to get into a better rhythm, even adopting a run-walk strategy due to the intense heat. Many other participants had the same idea, and it turned into a chatty-filled segment where we all questioned why we’d signed up for this in the first place. (“It wasn’t supposed to be this hot!”) The shaded areas allowed me to pick up the pace, and the race felt more manageable from that point onward.
The highlight of the race came in the final 2k when my friend urged me to go ahead. Motivated by the thought of finishing, I pushed through, only to be greeted by an uphill finish—because of course, why not? The amazing spectators lining the finish cheered us on, which was the emotional boost I needed after such a grueling race.
The Post-Race Rewards
Crossing the finish line was nothing short of euphoric. Despite my slow time of 2 hours and 42 minutes, I was just glad it was over. We were handed our medals and led to a finish-line buffet that included drinks, watermelon, jelly babies, and Soreen. After a race that had tested my mental and physical limits, these small gestures felt like a luxury.
The atmosphere after the race was relaxed, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits, sharing stories about their personal race experiences. Looking back, although it wasn’t my best race, the support from volunteers and spectators made the day worthwhile.
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?
Honestly, this race falls into my “worst race ever” category, along with the Huddersfield Half and the Dales Trails 20. The combination of intense heat, uneven terrain, and the chaotic triathlete interactions made it far from enjoyable. However, I can’t deny the sense of accomplishment from pushing through when I felt like quitting. Would I do it again? For now, I’m filing this one under “survived but not enjoyed.”
