Pugneys Country Park, Wakefield, Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Triathlon is set in and around the beautiful Pugneys Park with runners heading up along scenic routes towards Sandal Castle.

Pugneys Country Park is a 250 acre site which was previously an open cast mine as well as a sand and gravel quarry and was turned into a country park in 1985, with two lakes and a modern watersport centre and café.

The largest watersports lake (which is used for the swim) is 100 acres and offers activities such as Sailing, Wind surfing, Canoeing and kayaking, Watersport courses and Craft hire. A 1.6 mile footpath runs all the way around the lake and is overlooked by Sandal Castle which part of is used for the run course. The smaller of the two lakes is only 24 acres and is a nature reserve which is overlooked by 2 bird hides, enabling visitors to watch the neighbouring wildlife in their own habitat.

Located on site is a Cafe where people can enjoy refreshments including hot and hot drinks and food from snacks to hot meals. Pugneys has many other events held at the Park and is a spectacular place to go for the day out with the family.

Nearby there is the historic Sandal Castle were runners will head towards Sandal Castle which is best known for the Battle of Wakefield which was fought nearby in 1460 during the Wars of the Roses in which Richard, Duke of York was killed. Remains of the 13th century stone castle which includes a modern visitor’s centre were families can get hands on displays about the history of Sandal Castle.