By Phil Gray

On Wednesday afternoon, Drew, Smithy and myself headed up to the Castles Challenge race venue for a photo shoot to get some nice images for race promotion. All I can say is WOW!!! 

The bike images are taken at Alnwick Castle, location of T2 and the entire run route. Te run takes place in the castle surrounds seen over the bridge.

The swim shots are from Bamburgh castle. These are taken from the very spot where the swim start and exit point will be. The water clarity is unbelievable! We swam out quite deep and you could see the sandy bottom at all times. There were no stones on the ground, just fine (almost white) sand. These were the best open water swim conditions I have EVEr been in (home or abroad).

This image shows T1, which is at the other side of Bamburgh Castle to the Swim. 

These images give you some idea of the beauty and dramatic setting of the Castles Challenge race. I wish I was racing!!!