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2010 DUATHLON AND USA TRIATHLON’S MIDEAST REGION

Important Changes as we Move Forward
by Michael Wendorf, Mideast Council Vice-Chair

            The popularity and competitiveness of Duathlon in the MidEast Region and across the country continues to grow.  For example, this year’s Duathlon Age Group National Championship reached full capacity in record time and boasts one of the strongest fields in multi-sport.  Sixty-six athletes from this Region are currently committed to race in the National Championship on April 25, 2010 in Richmond, Virginia.  Other athletes from this Region will compete in the Junior and Youth National Championships.  We expect numerous athletes from this Region to earn slots on Team USA and represent the Region and the USA at the Duathlon World Championships scheduled for September 4 and 5, 2010 in EdinburghScotland.

            Part of the popularity of Duathlon and the success of athletes competing at the National and International level from this Region can be traced to the Regional Duathlon Race Series that has traditionally been sponsored by USA Triathlon in this Region.  The Mid-East Region and USA Triathlon are committed to continuing to support Duathlon at all competitive levels as one component of the multi-sport lifestyle.  In order to better support the growth of Duathlon going forward, the Region has implemented certain changes affecting Duathlon.  There will be no Regional Duathlon Series in 2010.  In lieu of a series, the Region has selected Powerman Muncie to host a Duathlon Regional Championship Race in early October, 2010.  Three races will be featured including a sprint or so-called short course event, an international or Olympic distance event, and a long course or so-called Powerman event.  All three events will crown regional champions.  There will be no qualifying requirement for the Regional Championship races.

            In 2011 the Regional Duathlon Series will resume but with a format that meshes better with Duathlon Nationals and other Regional priorities.  The 2011 Regional Duathlon Series will consist of five (5) races with one in each state of our Region.  One of these races will be designated a Special Qualifier for Duathlon Nationals and a second will be the Regional Championship Race.  In order to be a Regional Series Champion, an athlete would have to compete in at least three (3) of the five (5) races.  These changes serve several goals and Regional priorities.  Just as the MERCRS format has changed to focus on fewer but stronger events so does the new Regional Duathlon Series.  In addition, there will be greater opportunity for head-to-head and friendly competition among athletes focused on Duathlon in this Region.

            The Region anticipates expanding the format in 2012 to include two (2) races in each state.  The Regional Championship and Special Qualifier will rotate among the different states and venues in our Region just as they do in triathlon.

            These changes are being implemented to better serve Duathletes in our Region and to better mesh Duathlon in this Region with the way Duathlon is organized by USA Triathlon’s National Duathlon Committee.  Best wishes in your training and racing.