Cromhall Quarry saw the dawn of a new era in regional endurance sports on Wednesday evening as The Lake hosted the debut race of its highly anticipated 2026 Triathlon Series.
This debut marks a significant evolution for the venue, as it is the first time a triathlon has been organised and executed entirely in-house by the joint expertise of The Lake and its parent company, South West Maritime Academy. While the quarry remains a firm favourite for triathletes, this new series represents a definitive shift toward a professional, safe midweek circuit with a core focus on inclusivity and community for everyone from novices to pros.
The evening’s sprint-distance challenge saw more than 60 competitors tackle a 750m swim in the crystal-clear waters of the quarry, followed by an 18km bike course through the surrounding rural lanes, and finally a 5km run ending back at the lakeside marquee.
Conditions on the night provided a dramatic backdrop for the event. The weather remained blustery but clear until a substantial downpour arrived exactly as the swim section began. This gave way to clear, golden evening sunshine for the majority of the event, though athletes finishing after the leaders were met with more heavy rainfall.
A traffic collision shortly before the triathlon was due to start threatened to scupper the race, as the road formed a vital part of the cycle route. However, quick thinking and efficient organisation by the team at The Lake ensured the event could proceed safely. Marshals on the route and staff from The Lake inspected the course beforehand, communicating the traffic situation back via radio to maintain a secure environment for all athletes.
Mark Alston was the first male across the line with a chip time of 1:02:55, dominating the field early with a 10:56 swim. He was joined on the podium by the fastest female athlete, Penny Guess, who secured her victory in 1:09:08 after a commanding bike leg and a clinical 20:20 run.
Transitioning event management in-house enables South West Maritime Academy and The Lake to provide a more seamless, integrated experience for participants, leveraging their professional maritime safety and event coordination backgrounds.
“The event was about more than just a race; it was about proving that we could bring this level of event coordination entirely under our own roof,” said Carl Hewlett, Marketing Manager for South West Maritime Academy.
“Though situated just across the border in South Gloucestershire, The Lake has long served as the primary open-water training hub for athletes from Berkeley, Dursley, and the wider Stroud district, making this homegrown series a major milestone for our local sporting community.
“The relationship between our maritime safety expertise and our passion for open-water pursuits has allowed us to create a series that is professionally managed, accessible to all levels, and deeply rooted in the local area.”
Every athlete receives a high-quality swim cap, with a unique colour assigned to each of the five races in the series, encouraging competitors to collect the full set by September. In place of mass-produced awards, first-place male and female finishers receive custom log slice trophies. These bespoke, engraved awards are crafted to represent the rugged, natural beauty of the quarry and the surrounding countryside.
Adding to the organisational strength of the series is Paul Breen, Outdoor Activities Manager and Race Director. Bringing a wealth of experience from his own business, Gert Lush Events, he ensures the series meets the highest standards of competitive racing.
“Bringing a race of this calibre in-house requires a balance of organisation, safety and technical precision,” said Paul Breen.
“Our goal with this series was to take the atmosphere I’ve seen at my other events and pair it with the unique location here at The Lake. Seeing the first wave of athletes hit the water for the series opener was the culmination of months of meticulous planning.”
The 2026 Series continues throughout the summer with four more dates scheduled for 10th June, 8th July, 12th August, and 12th September. The stakes are high for those competing in multiple events, as male and female athletes who accumulate the most points across the summer will be announced as championship winners. These overall series champions will take home the championship trophy at the conclusion of the season.
For more information on the series, full race results, or to register for upcoming events, visit thelakeuk.com/the-lake-triathlon-series-2026/
