A distinguished Olympic gold medallist intends to set a new world record in Oxfordshire during the summer, not far from the Cotswolds.
Elite triathlete Jonny Brownlee will target a historic achievement at the Weekend Warrior competition in Woodstock this June, taking place at Blenheim Palace.
His objective centres on completing ten sprint-distance triathlons across the two-day event, a feat that has never been accomplished in the competition’s history.
Crucially, Brownlee will not compete in isolation but will share the event with hundreds of amateur participants. He will start in the same waves as thousands of recreational athletes entering through Blenheim Palace.
The sportsman will swim, bike, and run the same course at the same time as beginners, club competitors, and seasoned age-group athletes, something he considers fundamental to the event’s appeal.
Brownlee remarked that experiencing something remarkable is not exclusive to professionals. He noted that Blenheim has always united people to test their limits. He will compete across both days, with the challenge being significant due to the strict time requirements, though the best part involves sharing the course with the triathlon community, from newcomers to experienced athletes.
The record attempt will see Brownlee swim approximately 7.5 kilometres, cycle 200 kilometres, and run 50 kilometres over the weekend, entering multiple start waves each day alongside regular competitors.
Each sprint race involves a 750-metre swim in the Great Lake, a 20-kilometre cycle through Blenheim Palace’s historic grounds on closed roads, and a 5-kilometre run near Queen Pool at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Brownlee has a long association with the venue. He and his brother Alistair used the event as preparation for their 2012 London Olympic success, with both crossing the finish line together.
He returns to Blenheim Palace under Supertri’s management, with 2026 marking the first year the competition falls under this organisation.
The event is Britain’s biggest triathlon and sits among the five largest globally by participant numbers. It has been held at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, for more than two decades.
Supertri chief executive Michael D’hulst said that Jonny taking on this challenge embodies their vision for triathlon. He explained that the most meaningful moments in the sport arise when competitors race together regardless of their finishing positions. Watching someone of Jonny’s calibre compete wave after wave alongside athletes doing their first triathlon is deeply inspiring and reflects their belief that triathlon fosters connection, purpose, and shared achievement.
The Supertri Blenheim Palace event runs from Saturday 6 June through Sunday 7 June, with entry currently open.
Competitors can choose between SuperSprint, Sprint, Sprint Relay, and the Weekend Warrior challenge that Brownlee is attempting.
The event also includes a Supertri Pro Series race, positioning elite triathletes alongside the mass-participation field.