DUATHLON MASTERCLASS

AN AUTUMN AND OFF-SEASON OF RUN/BIKE/RUN WILL BOTH TRANSFORM BOTH YOUR DUATHLON AND TRIATHLON. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GEAR, TRAINING, MINDSET AND FUELLING IS RIGHT HERE…

Duathlons are often labelled triathlon’s more reserved and less popular sibling. As anyone who’s ever raced a run/bike/run knows, that’s to do this great sport a disservice. Yes, pebble-like triathletes rejoice that the swim’s substituted with an extra run. But ask them how easy things feel come the midway point of that second run with weight-bearing muscle tears really starting to chafe. Expect an X-rated response. Ask them after the finish line, however, and it’ll be the same wave of euphoria that floods triathletes. It’s a challenge, it’s to be respected, it’s magnificent when it’s over!

Duathlon’s peak season is tri’s off-season, highlighting that, while duathlon’s a main sport for many, it’s also used by swim, bike, runners to hone winter fitness via stimulating competitive juices. (Hence, that lower-profile sibling tag.) And as long as Covid-19 doesn’t result in event cancellations, there are plenty of races on offer up and down the country for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

As a snapshot, we have Northumberland’s Kielder Run Bike Run (11km/26km/5km) on 3 October; there’s the Cotswolds Sprint Duathlon (5km/18km/5km) on 11 October; and, if the permit is approved, Wales’ Escape to Afan Cross Duathlon on 21 November. Sign up to these or other duathlons (see p100 for more) around the country and you’ll be run, bike, running on the shoulders of giants as, over the years, British duathletes have done rather well with multiple age-group and ITU World Champ titles from the likes of Tim Don, Cat Morrison and Emma Pallant.

But what follows isn’t about elitism. It’s about making your duathlon journey, whether you’re a newcomer or Tim Don, that bit easier and more enjoyable. Time to put that wetsuit away and feel the quad burn…