racethenation

I competed in my the Camp Partlow Duathlon yesterday. This was the second Duathlon that I have in done (The first was last October.) The event was a 2 mile run, a 20 mile ride, and then a 2 mile run. The weather could have been worse. It was about 57 degrees with a very steady rain that made things interesting. Due to the weather, their were only about 50 participants including my wife (her first Du) and a friend of mine (his second Du). When the race started I very quickly fell off pace, but I learned my lesson last time, and this did not bother me. I stuck to my run walk schedule and wound up passing about 3 people toward the end of the run. The bike was a much tougher route than I had prepared myself for. I was expecting a couple of descent hills, but it was basically a continuous roll with a couple of hills that I was very pleased with the 6 miles per hour that I was doing. With the rain, I wound up with some front shifter problems. I was having problems getting it to shift down a few times. It turns out that the rain had pushed the lube out of the derailleur pivot points and pushed in a little sand. I finished the ride slower than I wanted, but probably as good as I should have. The second run was as horrible as expected. It took me about the first mile to work through the normal awkward feeling and to work the cramps out of legs. I finished with an overall time of 1:59:17. I was shooting for 2:00:00, so I was pleased. This was good enough for 41st out of 50, and 2nd in my age group. Of course, their were only 2 in my age group, but who is counting. The experience was great, and I am definitely planning more in the future!

10 Wheels

Way to go...

flip18436572

Great job for entering and completing!!!!

Can you give me some information about the Duathlon?

I would really like to add that to my list of events I want to run through my YMCA. I have a Triathlon and a half marathon in August, but I would love to do a Duathlon in September possibly.

racethenation

I am not sure what info you are looking for, so if I don't answer your questions, let me know. The event was at a state park near Tuscaloosa, AL. The start and finish for all three events was at the same spot. The transition area was designed as a flow through area with temporary bike racks. The run was actually through a low use area of the campground, so it was completely closed to traffic. The cycling portion left the campground and was on the county roads surrounding the park. Since it was early on a rainy Saturday morning, traffic was very low. Volunteers were at each turn directing you were to turn, and police officers and couple of sag vehicles patrolled the course. Volunteers were also doing check-in and finish line duties. This duathlon was small enough that it used manual scoring. The first one that I did used electronic scoring. That was very nice, because you got splits for all events and transitions, and results were posted within about 10 minutes of the end of the race.

flip18436572

We can't afford chip timing. We would have to have hundreds of people attend to even break even with chip timing, and that would mean twice as many volunteers and we are a small town. We will just have to use bib numbers and call it good.

What did they use for temporary bike racks?

Were there water stations on the run or bike stages?

What were the age brackets?

What was the cost for the event, and what did you receive from the event promoters?

racethenation

The age brackets were:
Women's Category - Age Divisions:14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 and 50+
Mens Category - Age Divisions:14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60+

Personally, I think this was way too many age categories. With only 50 or so participants almost everybody placed in their category. With better weather for this event, they normally have almost double the number. However, even with that, I tihink decade category splits would have been fine. Of course, I would always throw in a Clydesdale category.

The bike racks were made out of a pipe crossbar and two triangle ends made out of wooden 2x4's. The pipes would slide out so that they could be stored and transported flat. If you do a Google search for Triathlon Bike racks, you will several commercial versions that you could copy fairly easily. You might also want to check with Tri clubs in your area. They might have some they would let you borrow or rent.

This event had one aid station at the transition area with water and Gatorade, but they did not have anyone passing cups out, so I don't know that anyone actually used it during the race. The first duathlon that I did had one aid station setup about 1 mile into the first run, which was in such a way, that it provided aid at mile 1 and mile 2 on the first run and mile 1 on the second run. Neither duathlon had any aid stations on the ride. I did a 4 mile foot race a few weeks ago, that had no aid stations at all.

The cost of both duathlons was around $25 for early registration. One went up to $30 for day off registration, and the other went to $40. duathlon one included a shirt (short sleeve running jersey style), coupons from various businesses, post race meal (barbecue that was donated by a sponsor), chip timing, door prizes (all donated), and product samples. duathlon two included a shirt (long sleeve t-shirt), snacks, and door prizes (all donated). The proceeds for event two went to a camp for children with disabilities.

flip18436572

Thank you for the information!!!!

TimothyF

mmm... Who's BBQ? Archibald's? Dreamland? That might have been a determining factor in race, if I were in it. :-) Haven't been to "the motherland" for the good stuff in a while.

racethenation

Actually, it was Lawler's BBQ, which is not bad, but nothing to go out of the way for. Dreamland has suffered greatly since they sold out and opened up the various locations. The one in Huntsville has never been as good as the original in Tuscaloosa.

TimothyF

Totally agree. Went to the Mtgy Dreamland and never went back. I left wondering if the one in T-town was than much better, or if it was my fond memories of the gameday and the *ambience* made it seem so.


Congrats on your duathlon. Didn't mean to change the subject-- or discuss BBQ at 3:30 in the afternoon either. HUNGRY!!

TechKnowGN

Congrats! way to go! I cant wait til Ive got my first Tri under my belt.

racethenation

Photos have finally posted of the event. This one is of me at the finish line.

https://www.digitalmemoriesbyblair.sm...91872931_heHaw

This one is my wife at the end of the first run.

https://www.digitalmemoriesbyblair.sm...91374738_HRPka

Neil_B

It looks like you were suffering. Mrs. RaceTheNation must be an Amazon.

racethenation

I was hurting pretty bad at that point. Thank for noticing.

My wife is actually 6 feet tall. She played basketball in college, and the funny thing is that she was one of the short ones on the team.