It was testament to the demands of the course that Jenkins, who was fourth in last year’s Challenge Weymouth and has clocked 8.54 in Hawaii, did not break 10hrs for the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run.   

Yet with 2,800m of ascent on a three-lap rolling bike course through Kent’s High Weald and Ashdown Forest, followed by a hilly trail run, he still only missed Fraser Cartmell’s course record set in the inaugural contest last year by 5mins.

“I’ve done 20 Ironmans around the world and that is the toughest course I’ve done anywhere,” he said. “But you get a great personal experience here. You are not ‘just a number’. How many other events have this stunning castle backdrop?”

Great work @karlralexander for a stomping bike split today! Kept me working with someone to chase 😉 @CastleTriSeries

— Darren Jenkins (@_Nevagivin) July 12, 2015

Alexander, who had both the fastest swim (58:31) and cycle (5:28) in the individual event, admitted he tried to goad Jenkins into upping the pace on the bike in an attempt to take the sting out of his run legs, but the Australian was too canny and resisted.

“I went off well and was first off the bike but kudos to Darren, he was the best on the day,” Alexander said. “This was the toughest event I’ve ever done. If you’re going to do one, make it this one, it has serious bragging rights.”

Women’s race

Professional Bethan Fowler, who has had plenty of domestic success including winning the middle distance Cotswold 113 event last year, was a comfortable winner in the women’s race from Ruth Thompson with Louise Clinton in third.