The duathlon is a multisport race similar to its better-known multisport cousin, the triathlon. Triathlon races traditionally include three segments, a swim, a bike, then a run. The duathlon replaces the first swim with an additional running segment. Athletes compete by running, then biking, then running again. This endurance event is ideal for competitors who have little confidence in their swimming abilities.
Getting Started in Duathlon
Duathlons are great for beginning athletes. Most people already know how to ride a bike and run. It's just a matter of training for distance and perhaps a bit of extra speed. People who already participate in one sport such as biking or running may find the duathlon simpler to jump into than a triathlon since they only have to add one other sport to their training schedule. Beginners may start with a short distance race, then continue competing at longer distances.
Duathlon Distance
Duathlons are often associated with triathlons with competitors on the same course at the same time. Race distances are similar to triathlon. A sprint duathlon is usually the shortest, combining a 2 to 3 mile run with a 10 to 15 mile bike leg then finishing with another 2 to 4 mile run. The half Ironman distance involves a 2 mile run, a 56 mile bike then a half marathon.
Duathlon Equipment
Since participants are biking and running, basic equipment needs are minimal. A competitor should have a good pair of running shoes for the run legs. The bike leg requires only a bike and a helmet. All racers are required to have a bike helmet or they will not be allowed to race. Bikes in a duathlon range from the sleek, expensive triathlon bikes to simple road bikes to mountain bikes. Many races will have a 'fat-tire' division to allow competitors with mountain bikes to register and compete against other participants with similar equipment.
Duathlon Training
Training is similar to triathlon training without the swim. Athletes will usually plan workouts that include separate runs, bike workouts and combined workouts know as bricks. A brick workout consists of a run followed by a bike or a bike followed by a run. This helps to simulate the duathlon experience. Most competitors find that their legs feel like rubber after hopping off the bike to start the run. Brick workouts help to push through this experience. The brick also helps the racer to learn a smooth transition from one race leg to the other. The time it takes for an athlete to complete their transitions is added into the overall race time so speed and efficiency are important.
There are many websites available to search for duathlons. Duathlon.com and Trifind offer race calendars with many races from which to choose. Looking for a triathlon may also net an associated duathlon to choose. Fair warning: duathlons maybe addictive. Give one a try!
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