The National Duathlon Festival, which features the Off-Road Duathlon Championships and the USAT Duathlon National Championships in Richmond, VA on April 25-26 will be the largest run-bike event ever held in the United States.

The weekend commences with the Off-Road Duathlon Championships for which over 200 age group and sport competitors have signed up.  And for Sunday’s competition, over 1,500 on-road duathletes from around the country have signed up for the USAT Duathlon National Championships in the age group, sport, junior and youth categories.  Last year there were 450 competitors for that event. 

“This is a break-out event,” says Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill, the event organizer.  “The response has been a tremendous boost to the sport of duathlon.  Having such an event in Richmond is a big accomplishment for our organization, USA Triathlon, USA Triathlon Mid Atlantic Region and the Richmond Triathlon Club who have all worked hard on it, and growing it into the largest ever in the U.S. is extra special.”

Duathlon is a run-bike-run event that is an off-shoot of triathlon.  The start, finish and transition area is on the New Market Corporation property adjacent to Gambles Hill Park by 2nd and Byrd Streets.  Sunday’s USAT Duathlon National Championships will offer a festival atmosphere for spectators and participants with a live band and a beer garden open from 10 a.m. until the awards ceremony concludes at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Event Schedule

Friday, April 24, 2009
4- 6 p.m. Registration and Packet Pick Up at the Transition Area
 
Saturday, April 25, 2009
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Registration and Packet Pick Up at the Transition Area
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Expo Open  
8:30 a.m.  Off-Road Junior Age Group Races
Ages 13-15, 16-19 (5k run, 11k bike, 3k run)
Sport Race (5k run, 11k bike, 3k run)
10:30 a.m. Off-Road Championships and Off-Road Du Duo Relay
(11k run, 26k bike, 5k run)

Sunday, April 26, 2009
6 a.m.  Transition Area Opens  
6 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Packet Pick Up in Transition Area  
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Expo Open  
7:30 a.m.  Men and Women’s Age Group National Championships
(10k run, 38k bike (3 loops), 5k run)
2:30 p.m.  Youth Nationals (ages 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 - No drafting)
(1k run, 4k bike, 1k run)
3 p.m.  Junior Nationals (13-15 and 16-19 - No drafting)
        (5k run, 17k bike (2 loops), 2.5k run)
3 p.m.  Sport Race (5k run, 17k bike (2 loops), 2.5k run)
3 p.m.  Awards

Road Closures
2nd Street from Lee Bridge to Byrd Street, closed 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 24 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 26th
Lee Bridge southbound curb lane, closed 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25
Lee Bridge, fully closed 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 26th
Riverside Drive, fully closed 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sunday April 26th
Byrd Street from 2nd to 9th Streets, fully closed 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dock Street from 18th to 25th , fully closed 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
14th Street Bridge southbound and northbound curb lanes, closed 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

For more information contact Mike McCormick at 804-285-9495 or go to http://www.sportsbackers.org.