In previewing the debut of Sunday's 'The Bastion' iron-distance event last week, we suggested that it could be a case of Scottish athletes 'storming the castle' and taking away the bulk of the very generous prize purse on offer, and that prediction proved to be spot on.

It was also a case of "Ali, Ali, Ali" in the ladies race...

2010 Ironman UK winner and mutliple Scottish Champion already this year Fraser Cartmell lived up to his pre-race favourite tag by leading the race from gun to tape, crossing the line on the extremely tough course in 9:56:54 to take home a first prize of £2500. Fastest swim (50:32) and run (3:24:20), Fraser almost made it a clean sweep, but second placed (in the men's race at least...), Steve Berry, recorded a 5:36:27 versus the 5:36:52 of Cartmell, to take the honour of fastest cyclist on the day. Berry is an accomplished time trial athlete, finishing fourth last year in the National 100-mile TT Champs with a 3:41:47 clocking.

Second athlete across the line was actually Alice Hector, winner last season of the World Age Group Sprint Distance Championships, back racing as a Pro in 2014. Setting the fastest splits across all three disciplines, Hector took the victory in 10:47:40.

The women's podium - as we had indicated last week - was an "Ali, Ali, Ali", with second placed, just two weeks after Ironman France, taken by Alison Rowatt of Team Freespeed, and third to Ali Hollington who is still going strong and performing well after what must be at least 25 years in the sport.

Kudos to the organisers, Castle Triathlon, for putting up such a generous prize fund for the first edition of this race on a tough course. Initial reports indicate a superb - if tough! - event, with great organisation and excellent athlete feedback. Hopefully the efforts of everyone involved to make this event happen will be reflected in an increase in the entry numbers for 2015.

If you are looking for a new challenge for 2015, The Bastion is ready for you.

Brian Adcock, owner of the Castle Triathlon Series and Race Director of The Bastion said:

“We were delighted with the first edition of The Bastion and it was great to see the participants push themselves on a testing course and achieve so much. As we launched quite late in the year, we didn't have a massive field but this gave us a chance to nurture the audience, test the concept and make sure we delivered something really special. Based on the atmosphere and feedback, I think we got it spot on!

We have already confirmed the race to be set next year for the 12th July 2015 and following on from the success of The Gauntlet half-iron triathlons across the Castle Triathlon Series, we expect The Bastion 2015 to sell out very quickly.

Full race results can be found on www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk and www.stuweb.co.uk

The Bastion will return to Hever Castle in 2015, with next year's race date set for Sunday 12th July 2015. The race is open for registration now with a 30% discount early bird price of just £224.

Keep up to date via www.facebook.com/castletriathlonseries or Twitter (@castletriathlon). Entry is available on www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk

The Bastion, Hever Castle - Sunday 13th July 2014
2.4 miles / 112 miles / 26.2 miles

FULL RESULTS