RECORDS were smashed at the triathlon festival at Castle Howard at the weekend.

In the July sunshine, 2,000 competitors entered over the eight distances, with top elites, first-timers and 500 children taking part. Saturday featured a number of distances for all ages, while Sunday was reserved for the "Olympic" length and the harrowing half-Iron distance "The Gauntlet".

A personal record was broken on the Saturday. Nine-year-old Bailey Matthews, who has cerebral palsy, was back, having completed his first-ever triathlon at Castle Howard last year.

He finished the children's triathlon, comprising 100m swim, 4km bike ride and 1.3km run, in one hour and 20 minutes.

Bailey's dad, Johnathan Matthews said: "I'm so proud of him, it's great to be back. He's given this 100 per cent. He never talks or brags about it, he never even mentions it, he just gets on with life and working hard to be a great triathlete.

"I don't think he fully understands just what an achievement it is."

In the Olympic length triathlon, which constitutes a 1,500m swim, 45km bike ride and a 10km run at the end of it, the race was on from the start with a strong field of elites.

Ex-Commonwealth Games competitor from Wales, Liam Lloyd won with a time of 02:13:51, with Finley Thompson of Leeds just a few seconds later and Christopher Silver in third.

The women's competition was a tight race. The final podium placing saw first place go to Emma Deary (02:29:53), Hannah Drewett second and Suzie Richards take third.

Ms Deary said: "I really didn’t expect that, Hannah put up such a great fight. The course was insanely tough, but I really enjoyed it."

Course records were broken in both the men's and women's Gauntlet.

Elliot Smales took the men's Gauntlet with his third win in three months, smashing the course record by 11 minutes. Female winner Natalie Seymour also broke the course record by eight minutes and pledged to be back for more.

Ms Seymour said: "I had a great race, chuffed to win. I love a hilly course and this has some exceptional views and plenty of opportunities to go fast. Marshals were awesome too. Brilliant event and I will be back."

The course is unique, from the swim in Castle Howard’s Great Lake to the transition into the technical bike route through the Howardian Hills. The run leg passes through the undulating countryside of the estate before a sprint finish in front of the main doors of the house.

Whilst the athletes competed, spectators enjoyed yoga, food and live music in the grounds.

The Castle Howard Triathlon 2017 will take place on July 22 and 23. Register now for an automatic 25 per cent discount.