There are only three days to go before more than 4,000 athletes descend on Woodstock for this year's Blenheim Triathlon.

There have been record entries for this year's event, which takes place in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

It will see triathletes swim across one of the lakes before cycling and running through the scenic grounds of the World Heritage site. Channel Four will once again televise the event.

Nick Rusling, managing director of the Blenheim Triathlon, said: "We are working hard, putting the finishing touches to everything ahead of race day.

"All of us are really looking forward to the weekend and wish all competitors the very best of luck. But we are hoping the weather improves."

Racing gets under way at 10am on Saturday with the men's supersprint event, which involves a 400m swim, 13km bike and 2.5km run.

Fifteen minutes later, the first of the men's sprint races begins (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) before the relay event kicks off at 11am.

The highlight of Saturday's racing will be the women's elite race, which starts at 12.30pm and will see a dozen top female athletes go head-to-head.

The line-up includes double Olympian Michelle Dillon and Blenheim 2005 winner Sophie Whitworth.

The competition continues on Sunday with youth races at 9am and the national junior championships at 9.40am (boys) and 10.05am (girls).

Last year's men's champion Olly Freeman defends his title at 10.40am in the men's elite race.