I have my first duathlon coming up in mid-May and have a question:

The format is 2 mi run - 10 mi bike - 2 mi run - 10 mi bike - 2 mi run. With 4 transitions, does it make sense to use clipless pedals or put the cages back on to avoid having to change shoes?

Also, any tips/hints/advice you could give to a rookie would be appreciated.

Interesting format. With 20 miles of combined biking I think I would stick with my clip ins. Speed laces on your running shoes and practice getting both pairs shoes on and off quickly. I usually go sockless with a swim first and wet feet can be a problem getting into a shoe. Socks will help with that.

I have done several duathlons and have never seen this run-bike-run-bike-run format before. As you likely already know the 1st mile or so of the run after the bike can be a challenge... and you get to do it twice in one race :-) Makes it even more important to get your brick workouts done in training.

I'd go with the clip-in pedals as you should make up the extra 20 or 30 seconds it will take to change your shoes over the 20 miles of riding. I agree with Bart; practice, practice, practice.

Agreed with the above and i'll expand a bit.

1) DEFINITELY get speed laces for your shoes. Personally I like speed laces with just a simple system.. as opposed to the Yankz system which I hate.
2) If you don't have cycling shoes yet, consider getting triathlon specific shoes. I cycle regularly with my tri shoes and they're just as fine as my old road shoes. These help quicken your transition times since you don't have to mess with a velcro/strap system.
3) Make sure you are training in the R-B-R-B-R format. I've never seen a duathlon (can you post the link to this duathlon?) like this, but if it's what you're doing, you need to practice this type of training on all of your sessions.
4) Learn how to mount and dismount your bike
5) Bring a flag or something that is easily spotted in the transition area. It's EXTREMELY easy to get confused on race day and forget where your stuff is located in relation to the transition exit/entrance
6) What bike are you racing? If it is a road bike, consider a forward seat post that places you farther away from the crank (and therefore using different muscles to cycle) and a pair of aero bars. *WARNING* do this only if you can A) afford it and B) have read enough information to educate and set this up properly.
7) Although it is scary to be in your first competition, DO remember that NO ONE gives a **** about what you are doing,wearing, screwing up, etc. They (and you will be too) will only be focused on what they are doing. So don't feel uncomfortable to get out there and do whatever weird tricks (like putting a giant orange flag in transition area) that will help you.
8) When transition training, always remember that you need to clip your helmet on before you ride, otherwise you will be disqualified. And in the event that you get disqualified (which is only for record keeping anyway and if you are competing athlete), give the ref the finger and keep moving. Your timechip will still yield your time.
9) I'll say it for the 3rd time after these guys.. practice practice practice and repeat.

Thanks for the tips so far - keep them coming!

blck - I already have cycling shoes, but I wish I would have thought about getting tri-specific shoes when I purchased mine. Oh well. I'm riding an '86 Miyata 110 (road bike) and while I have aero bars that I pulled from a recent acquisition, I have no plans of putting them on my bike for this race. While this is my first du, it isn't my first race (I have done several running races previously) so I'm not a total rookie in that regards.

Here is the race I'm doing. I'm pumped to get to ride my bike on the race track - this was my biggest motivating factor for signing up for this race.

WHOA this is at Watkins Glen!? that is awesome for sure. No wonder why you want to do this, I'm jealous! I'm glad to hear this isn't your first race. In that case, I think you'll do great, just keep up with practice runs