Record Entries for 2009 USA Triathlon Duathlon Nationals Richmond event could become largest duathlon in U.S. history

Registrations for the 2009 USA Triathlon National Duathlon Festival in Richmond, Va., April 25-26 have already eclipsed last year's numbers and are expected to set all-time records.

"This is looking like a break-out event that has the potential to be the largest duathlon ever organized in the United States," said USAT National Events Director Jeff Dyrek.

Registrations for the Duathlon Festival weekend - which includes off-road races and citizen races - are currently at 783 total athletes, with 636 slated to compete in the National Championship race.

Last year, 450 duathletes from around the country competed in the weekend of events that includes championship races for elites, age groupers, juniors and youth, a citizen's sport race, as well as a day of off-road events.

"We have already exceeded last year's total entries, and we still have two months to go," said Richmond Sports Backers Executive Director Jon Lugbill. "The Sports Backers, USAT, the USAT Mid Atlantic Region, and the Richmond Triathlon Club have worked hard on this and it is paying off with a national response that will put duathlon on the map for on-road and off-road athletes. We are especially delighted at the number of out-of-town competitors who will be visiting Richmond during these challenging economic times."

New to the schedule in 2009 are divisions for ParaTriathletes (physically challenged athletes) and collegiate athletes, a Club Championship (with points awarded for finishers in the on-road age group championships and prize money given to the top three USAT-sanctioned clubs), a Du Duo Relay (one team member will run and the other bike), and a Double Du (compete in the same category in both the off-road race on Saturday and the on-road race on Sunday and win a special Double Du finishers medal).

In the on-road championship, the age group athletes can qualify for the ITU Duathlon Short Course World Championships in Concord, N.C. in September. Twelve qualifying slots per age group are up for grabs.