Duathlon and Triathlon in the UK
What is Duathlon?
Duathlon is...
... a sport incorporating running and cycling;
... comprised of a 10km run, 40km cycle and 5km run completed with transitions between each section, but with no breaks;
... usually completed well inside two hours for elite men, and around two hours for elite women.
Visit Event Information for more details on the distances available for the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships
Duathletes are...
... exceptionally fast runners;
... technically and tactically excellent cyclists;
... often tall and slender with very strong legs.
The rules are...
... set by the International Triathlon Union, which is the world governing body for triathlon and duathlon;
... that athletes can draft (slipstream) off each other during the bike leg at elite level, but must not do so at age group level;
... that everyone starts at the same time and the winner is the person who crosses the line first.
The 2010 defending champions are...
... Jarrod Shoemaker of the USA in the men’s race;
.... and Vendula Frintova of the Czech Republic in the women’s race.
Previous British successes have been achieved by...
...Catriona Morrison, from Broxburn, Edinburgh, who has won major titles, including ETU Duathlon European Champion (2007 Edinburgh and 2009 Budapest) and ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Champion (2007 and 2008);
... Paul Amey was crowned ITU Duathlon World Champion in 2007, in Gyor, Hungary. Michelle Dillon also won silver in the women’s race and current World Triathlon Champion, Alistair Brownlee, won silver in the junior men’s race;
... Sophie Coleman and Vicky Graves won gold and silver respectively at the Junior Women’s ITU Duathlon World Championships held in Concord, North Carolina in 2009. The win in Concord, delivered a triple victory for Coleman, successfully defending her World Junior Duathlon titles from 2007 and 2008.
The ITU World Championships....
... were in Concord, North Carolina, USA last September;
... take place annually;
... are the more prestigious duathlon event ever hosted in the UK;
... offer a total prize fund of 75,000 Euro for the elite events;
... will feature elite, under 23, junior and age group (senior) athletes.
Edinburgh...
... previously hosted the European Duathlon Championships in 2007, which was won by home athlete Catriona Morrison and the late Belgian, Benny Vansteelant;
... has one of the most challenging duathlon courses ever used for an ITU event;
...has an excellent reputation and history of staging world class sporting events;
...is an active city and is looking to encourage residents to participate in sport, including duathlon, through its strategic vision to be the most active city in Europe by 2020;
...is a great place to visit and enjoy, with a wide variety of things to see and do.
Duathlon in the UK
There is a strong Duathlon scene throughout the UK, including a British Championships as well as Scottish and Welsh Duathlon Championships. There is also a five race duathlon ranking series held throughout the UK called the Taut British Duathlon Ranking Series. More details can be found on www.britishtriathlon.org
How to get involved in Duathlon and Triathlon in the Scotland, England and Wales
If you would like to find out more about taking part in the sport of Duathlon, Triathlon and Aquathlon then please visit www.britishtriathlon.org
Here you will find full listings of all the Clubs in the UK, as well as all the events that take place. You can also find more information about volunteering, officiating and the other activities of the home nations.
