Duathlons

pointer28

Hi all,

Just after listening to the latest issue of Legends of Triathlon with Kenny Souza and he raised some very interesting points about Duathlons and the fact that they are always the poor relation to the triathlon.

There are lots of people like myself, who love watching tris, reading about tris, listening to podcasts about tris, love the lifestyle, the club scene, the whole kit and kaboodle but who can't or won't swim for one reason or another.

It's very easy to say "just bloody well learn to swim then", but it's just not that simple, believe me I've tried. For the sake of this discussion can we just take it for granted that some people can't swim and accept it for what it is.

Why isn't there more Duathlons in this country, specifically at longer distances, say comparable to Olympic or HIM triathlons?

Any that I come across all seem to be very short, say 3k run, 20k bike, 3k run for example. For someone like me, who's not very fast and who enjoys endurance rather than speed, they are probably a useful training session but don't have the element of endurance that I really enjoy. My favourite race is the Half Marathon for example, I did 6 or 7 this year but have never raced a 5k believe it or not. My point is that I would love something where it's an accomplishment for less talented individuals just to complete.

Kenny Souza made the point that it should be very simple for most triathlons to offer a duathlon option with a 1st run portion roughly equivalent to the swim portion of the tri e.ge 1500m swim or 5k run. These would start at the same time with everyone racing the same course apart from the first section of the race. Obviously, it would be a completely different result sheet, and for someone like myself I couldn't care less about prizes, just a chance to take part in the days events.


What do people think of this idea?

Would it be that difficult to tag on a DU option to an existing Oly or HIM race?

Is there a demand for this type of race or am I the only one?

Bambaata

A lot of the messin' races might work for you? Gaelforce etc? Agree though it would be nice to have more standard distance and long distance duathlons

pointer28

Nah, I'm afraid they just don't do anything for me.

Not ruling them out completely but they just don't float my boat.

tunney

pointer28 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just after listening to the latest issue of Legends of Triathlon with Kenny Souza and he raised some very interesting points about Duathlons and the fact that they are always the poor relation to the triathlon.

There are lots of people like myself, who love watching tris, reading about tris, listening to podcasts about tris, love the lifestyle, the club scene, the whole kit and kaboodle but who can't or won't swim for one reason or another.

It's very easy to say "just bloody well learn to swim then", but it's just not that simple, believe me I've tried. For the sake of this discussion can we just take it for granted that some people can't swim and accept it for what it is.

Why isn't there more Duathlons in this country, specifically at longer distances, say comparable to Olympic or HIM triathlons?

Any that I come across all seem to be very short, say 3k run, 20k bike, 3k run for example. For someone like me, who's not very fast and who enjoys endurance rather than speed, they are probably a useful training session but don't have the element of endurance that I really enjoy. My favourite race is the Half Marathon for example, I did 6 or 7 this year but have never raced a 5k believe it or not. My point is that I would love something where it's an accomplishment for less talented individuals just to complete.

Kenny Souza made the point that it should be very simple for most triathlons to offer a duathlon option with a 1st run portion roughly equivalent to the swim portion of the tri e.ge 1500m swim or 5k run. These would start at the same time with everyone racing the same course apart from the first section of the race. Obviously, it would be a completely different result sheet, and for someone like myself I couldn't care less about prizes, just a chance to take part in the days events.


What do people think of this idea?

Would it be that difficult to tag on a DU option to an existing Oly or HIM race?

Is there a demand for this type of race or am I the only one?

Why aren't there more? Because there isn't a demand.

pointer28

That's the question I just asked, is there a demand?

Hence the idea of tagging it on to an existing tri rather than running a separate race.

If it's a terrible idea, then fair enough, I'm just putting it out there for discussion.

tunney

pointer28 wrote: »

That's the question I just asked, is there a demand?

Hence the idea of tagging it on to an existing tri rather than running a separate race.

If it's a terrible idea, then fair enough, I'm just putting it out there for discussion.

Only really the 2/10/2 format as a stepping stone into triathlons I believe

pointer28

Fair enough so, I must be the only one.

Anyway, markets will decide and if there isn't a demand well I hardly expect tri organisers to run it just for me.

Pity though.

tunney

pointer28 wrote: »

Fair enough so, I must be the only one.

Anyway, markets will decide and if there isn't a demand well I hardly expect tri organisers to run it just for me.

Pity though.

maybe set up a poll to see?

pointer28

You're over-estimating my technical abilities.

Good idea though, I'll get onto to it later.

Thanks for taking the time.

musicfan1ie

pointer28 wrote: »

You're over-estimating my technical abilities.

Good idea though, I'll get onto to it later.

Thanks for taking the time.

I'm with you pointer, I love duathlons. I did a few of them when in England a few years ago. Definitely, not a great supply of them here. I'd love it if there were more.

MyWebPersona

If you just want to be part of the day why dont you try and get yourself a good swimmer that hates running and cycling and have a relay team in an olympic distance. Might be the handiest solution

pointer28

Still wouldn't satisfy my endurance buzz though.

Anyway, it seems that it's obviously just a pipe dream.

Shocked that there's so little interest though. I would have thought that a 5k / 40k / 10k duathlon early in the season would be a great training day when OW swimming isn't possible.

Podge83

pointer28 wrote: »

Still wouldn't satisfy my endurance buzz though.

Anyway, it seems that it's obviously just a pipe dream.

Shocked that there's so little interest though. I would have thought that a 5k / 40k / 10k duathlon early in the season would be a great training day when OW swimming isn't possible.

I admit that if there was an early season race like this I would be in!. All the Duo's I can see seem to be sprint.

pointer28

So, there's 3 of us, cool!

I thought I was the only one.

rooneyjm

"My point is that I would love something where it's an accomplishment for less talented individuals just to complete."

Depends what your definition of competing is. Finishing 300th in an Olympic is taking part in my book. The majority of people in Tri are only competing with themselves anyway. Their time from last race, last year etc. If you want to take part then doggy paddle around the 1500m/1900m if you have to or learn how to swim.


"There are lots of people like myself, who love watching tris, reading about tris, listening to podcasts about tris, love the lifestyle, the club scene, the whole kit and kaboodle but who can't or won't swim for one reason or another."

For me thats like those people who sit and watch airplanes landing all day at Dublin airport. If you love to so much get a flying lesson. There's people out there swimming with one arm, no legs. Whats your excuse?

peter kern

the nat duathlon champs are the format you are looking for usualy at the end of april.
ups its 10 40 5 but still the distance you want.

pointer28 wrote: »

Still wouldn't satisfy my endurance buzz though.

Anyway, it seems that it's obviously just a pipe dream.

Shocked that there's so little interest though. I would have thought that a 5k / 40k / 10k duathlon early in the season would be a great training day when OW swimming isn't possible.

snailsong

I'm with you on this one op. I like a long run, I do lots of half a and a few marathons. Also, I cycle with a club and race a bit. If only we could combine the two...

I do some of the one day adventure races and duathlons. They all seem to include some mountain stage where I lose a heap of places. I did sea2summit yesterday and while I enjoyed it I was passed by 40 people in 15 minutes on Croagh Patrick which spoiled my chance of a high placing. The guy who finished ahead of me was 40 minutes slower in DCM.

I'd certainly love 5/40/10. Or double that if you like. So is that 4 of us?

pointer28

Thanks for that Peter, I'll look it up on the TI website.

Snailsong, yeah looks like only 4 of us ;-)

No race director is going to make a fortune running mid / long distance duathlons in Ireland anytime soon.

Check out www.powerman.org some really cool looking races on their site. Warning though, they really seem to love lots of climbing, but I'd quite enjoy that.

Seriously considering entering one of these sometime. The entry fees are reasonable enough, I'd just need to look into all the other expenses, flights, bike travel, transfers etc. but I'm really liking the look of it.

TBH, I'm torn between one of these and a 35km trail race in Germany www.zugspitz-ultratrail.com Work is quiet so I can't afford to enter all the races I'd like to.

Now, if someone was so kind as to organise one in the Slieve Blooms, I'll be your first entry.

peter kern

powerman races are really good and too be honest i cant understand why they are not bigger ( or in fact with zofingen which used to be on of the main multisport races in the world ,got less well known ) given the fact that most triathletes dont like swimming...
I guess the easiest would be to find a mate and drive to the one in the UK ( via rosslare)

pointer28

Thanks Peter,

The UK one definitely seems handy enough to get to, although if I'm going to go to the effort of travelling overseas I think I would prefer to go to Austria or Germany with the OH and make a weekend of it, but we'll see.

Thanks again.

Trig1

pointer28 wrote: »

Snailsong, yeah looks like only 4 of us ;-)
.

I'll be number 5... swimming is my weakest leg by far, and I bet there is alot of triathletes that would say the same.. I would love a few more Duathlons with longer distances during the summer months...

66_Lad

Trig1 wrote: »

I'll be number 5... swimming is my weakest leg by far, and I bet there is alot of triathletes that would say the same.. I would love a few more Duathlons with longer distances during the summer months...

Number 6...do good few duathlons but would much prefer double the distances....learning to swim so goin to give a tri a shot next yr but love the middle to long distance runs and am decent enough on the bike.

Podge83

Pointer seems to have a growing following!!

Enduro

Count me in as #7

tunney

7 people - thats enough to *run* a race.

Maybe rather than asking others to put one on, put one on yourselves?

Podge83

tunney wrote: »

7 people - thats enough to *run* a race.

Maybe rather than asking others to put one on, put one on yourselves?

Not everyone who would be interested in doing such a race posts on boards.ie!!

pointer28

Maybe not a race, but how about something like a Boardsie meetup somewhere for a spin followed by a run?

I'll put forward the Slieve Blooms only because I'm familiar with it, we can park at the hotel, 42k bike with lots of climbing and loads of trail running from the car park (also hilly). I don't mind the climbing on the bike, but the running is seriously tough, and even moreso coming off a bike. I'd manage it myself but it might put some people off.

As I said, it's what I'm familiar with but I'm sure there might me somewhere just as good or better.

tamaskan

10k/40k/5k, sounds good to me. I'm only new to running, cycling is more my thing, but those sound like decent distances to be aiming for. I agree, Duathlons here are too short and there aren't enough of them. Why should the swimmers get to have all the fun?

tunney

Podge83 wrote: »

Not everyone who would be interested in doing such a race posts on boards.ie!!

My point was stop expecting people to organise the races and organise one for others if people feel that passionate about longer distance duathlons

pointer28

Apart from the swimmers having all the fun, apparently a large percentage hate the swim and I've heard of large cheers at some tris when the swim has been cancelled.

Now, I haven't been there to witness it myself, but that's a bit sad. If I ever do learn to swim, and enter a triathlon, then I'll want to do the entire thing.

peter kern

just rembered this race
http://www.thehumptydumpty.com/
40k draft legal bike 6 k run

pointer28

tunney wrote: »

My point was stop expecting people to organise the races and organise one for others if people feel that passionate about longer distance duathlons

I'd love to, but at the moment I would have no idea where to even start organising a race in terms of the practicalities.

That's not just an excuse BTW and if anyone thinks they know what they're doing and would like to be involved then I'd gladly jump on board and help with running one.

But me alone, with no experience would just be asking for trouble.

king size mars bar

Make me No 8, just took up duathlons in the last 2 years, swimming does not appeal to me so i,ve bombed ahead into duathlons, love them! Pity theres not more of them or a national series of some sort!

Podge83

tunney wrote: »

My point was stop expecting people to organise the races and organise one for others if people feel that passionate about longer distance duathlons

Sorry Tunney didn't mean to cause upset. I know you do you're bit. I organise a road race (running) as a fund raiser for a community cause. That's enough for now. Wouldn't mind having a go at organising a Duo as part of a group at some stage.

However, I prefer a the full Triathlon but just think a few longer distance duos in the Spring would be better prep for the Tri season.

Anyway, its good to hear peoples views on the subject.

tamaskan

peter kern wrote: »

just rembered this race
http://www.thehumptydumpty.com/
40k draft legal bike 6 k run

I've done the Humpty. Great fun, recommend to all. Kenmare is a lovely

catweazle

There are a good few duathlon races around the West organised by the local triathlon clubs but springtime only, from memory - Predator, Tri Lakes and Trisport all have at least one race and also Westport Tri had one in June this year. Predator and Tri Lakes jointly organised a series of 6 I think a few years back which was very good but it doesn't take place any more.

Think Padraig Marrey organizes another few around the Mayo area, certainly one in Ballinrobe and Claremorris anyways

Its a hard time of year to get the numbers to justify putting them on, the one I did last year I remember everyone hiding under trees right before the start with a massive hailstorm shower. I was frozen on the bike!

Isnt the National duathlon championships a longer distance duathlon than the usual ones?

tunney

I think we could definitely do with a duathlon series, something with a range of distances. Something *quality*, something safe and fun.

snack_ie

If you are looking for a good race in the UK to do try and Ballbuster & make a weekend of it in London... You will definitely get your money's worth...

http://humanrace.co.uk/events/duathlon/spring-ballbuster

I have done it twice and its hard as nails...

bluenova

Land of the giants duathlon 28th dec
5k run 18k bike 2k run
It's in claremorris mayo
Early bird entry 20 euro open now I've just entered great time to knock the Xmas dinner of ya

pointer28

There's a few standard distance ones up on the TI calendar now 10k Run, 40k Bike, 5k Run.

Trim has 2
Fingal has 1
Banner has 1

Lots of sprints as well for anyone that's interested.

Just out of interest, and I know this is probably a stupid question, but why does the long run come first? I would have thought that the shorter run would be more in line with a 1.5k swim. It doesn't make any difference in the end, just curious.

tunney

pointer28 wrote: »

There's a few standard distance ones up on the TI calendar now 10k Run, 40k Bike, 5k Run.

Trim has 2
Fingal has 1
Banner has 1

Lots of sprints as well for anyone that's interested.

Just out of interest, and I know this is probably a stupid question, but why does the long run come first? I would have thought that the shorter run would be more in line with a 1.5k swim. It doesn't make any difference in the end, just curious.

You started off saying that duathlons went being treated as a sort in their own right and then wonder why the distances don't really with triathlon..... 😊 its a different sport. .....

They are not trying to replicate an event for non swimmers. They are events and formats in their own right.

tunney

pointer28 wrote: »

There's a few standard distance ones up on the TI calendar now 10k Run, 40k Bike, 5k Run.

Trim has 2
Fingal has 1
Banner has 1

Lots of sprints as well for anyone that's interested.

Fingal had one. One that will be cancelled a few weeks out. There will be no duathlons or triathlons in North Dublin this year.

Lusk_Doyle

pointer28 wrote: »

So, there's 3 of us, cool!

I thought I was the only one.

As a roadie who likes to run also, having ran cross country in school, I am all for this. I did the first Fingal tri duathlon early this year. It was a 6/20/6 and I loved it. 3km of climbing straight away on the first run leg, the cycle was a flat power around which I absolutely ate up (as a racing cyclist) past others who were ahead of me after the first run and the second run leg was a repeat of the first.

Great fun. I'd love to do more of these as I've no desire to do the swimming of tri events.

peter kern

spreads the field more out if you have the longer run first

pointer28 wrote: »

There's a few standard distance ones up on the TI calendar now 10k Run, 40k Bike, 5k Run.

Trim has 2
Fingal has 1
Banner has 1

Lots of sprints as well for anyone that's interested.

Just out of interest, and I know this is probably a stupid question, but why does the long run come first? I would have thought that the shorter run would be more in line with a 1.5k swim. It doesn't make any difference in the end, just curious.

pointer28

Thanks Peter,

That makes perfect sense, I was just wondering.

pointer28

Well, f#ck it anyway.

The two Trim races have been changed to Sprint distance on the TI calendar.

Looks like I'll have to go to Shannon instead. Trim was so handy too.