The 2001 Australian Duathlon Championships is set to be staged on June 16 & 17 in the city of Adelaide, SA, it was announced. In launching the event the Hon Joan Hall MP, Minister for Tourism, noted that Adelaide had the climate, experience, and expertise to ensure the winter cousin of triathlon was ready to advance and take center stage in the South Australian capital.

Adelaide, which has developed a reputation for conducting motor races and bike races, will now add the developing sport of duathlon to its portfolio of pedigree events for the next three years.

Joining the Minister was former two-time Duathlon World Champion Jackie Gallagher. Gallagher was impressed with the course layout and proximity to the city center. The course looks exciting, the location is good, and I believe this will be an excellent event not just for the people of Adelaide but for the sport followers across Australia, Gallagher said.

Triathlon Australia's National Executive Director Tim Wilson congratulated the Government of South Australia for getting behind the sport of duathlon and utilizing the multipurpose venue of Victoria Park Race Course.

The 2001 Australian Duathlon Championships, which consists of a 10k run/40k bike/5k run, will be the sole selection event for the Australian elite and junior elite teams preparing for the 2001 Duathlon World Championships in Italy in September.