GUYS were swimming, running, walking, cycling and Zumba-ing at Castle Howard this weekend as the stately home hosted a both a twilight 10k walk for charity and a gruelling triathlon.

More than 600 people took part in the Marie Curie Cancer Care walk as the light started to fade on Saturday evening.

A team from York gym Fitness First led a zumba warm-up before they headed off on a stroll round the estate. They were greeted at the finishing line by Marie Curie staff and nurses, then walkers lit lanterns in memory of loved ones and were treated to live entertainment.

Organisers hope to raise £50,000 which will provide 2,500 hours of local Marie Curie home nursing care.

On Sunday, 1,200 competitors, including 300 children, swam, cycled and ran through the landmark’s grounds.

Among those taking part were 65 pairs of siblings, with Fraser Cartmell winning the men’s Olympic-distance elite race ahead of David Bishop, and Catherine Jameson triumphing in the women’s elite competition.

Next year’s triathlon will be staged across the weekend of July 26-27 and include a new “half iron distance” – a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run – which will be longer than any previous Castle Howard event.

A spokeswoman for the event, part of the Markel Castle Triathlon Series which hosts annual races at five castles and has now staged four at Castle Howard, said: “Once again, the Castle Howard Triathlon has been incredibly successful, with a huge number of first-timers and families taking part alongside as elite competitors.”