ATHLETES, both novice and professional, will take on the Castle Howard Triathlon this weekend.

Set against the epic backdrop of the stately home and in the picturesque grounds, competitors will swim, cycle and run to the finish line in a variety of distances.

This year the event will be held over Saturday and Sunday with 2,000 competitors signed up to compete.

Saturday will see the amateurs set off on their open water swim from 8am and from 2pm there will be a children’s race. There are three races for children ranging from eight-15-years-old.

The professionals take on the half-iron distance on Sunday morning made up of a 1.9km open water swim, 90km bike ride and 21km ride. Shortly after they set off the Olympic distance race gets underway.

Professional athletes taking part in the Olympic distance will swim 1,500m, cycle 45km and run 10km before reaching the finish line.

For pictures see next week’s Gazette & Herald and online on Monday.