For the second time this month, Richmond will be the host city of a national championship sporting event.
Fresh off the heels of the USA 10k Men's Championship, which was part of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k on April 5, Richmond is welcoming the USAT Duathlon National Championships and the Off-Road Championships this weekend. Together these events make up the National Duathlon Festival.
And, despite the "national championship" wording, the festival is open to anyone who wants to participate.
Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Richmond Sports Backers, said the weekend events will draw about 700 competitors.
"We wanted to build Richmond's reputation as a great site for duathlon events," Lugbill said of landing the festival. "Ultimately, we would like to be the permanent home for the Duathlon National Championships. We have the event for three years and hope to make it so successful that USA Triathlon wants to keep the event here."
All the weekend events will begin and end at New Market's corporate headquarters at Second and Byrd streets in downtown.
"We hope the excitement and energy around hosting the National Duathlon Championships will elevate the sport in the Richmond area," Lugbill said. "We anticipate the sport of duathlon growing in the Richmond area dramatically in the next several years."
The festival kicks off at 7 a.m. Saturday with the off-road Youth Age Group Races for children 7 to 12 years old (age groups are 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12). This group's race is a 1k run, 4k bike and 1k run.
At 8:30 a.m., the Junior Age Group Races for ages 13 to 19 begin (age groups are 13-15 and 16-19). The group will run a 5k, bike a 10k and then finish with a 2.5k run. A "Sport Race" will be held at the same time for intermediate riders seeking a challenge. The Sport Race is a non-championship event.
The Off-Road Championship for advanced competitors begins at 10:30 a.m. This group will run a 10k, bike a 30k and finish with a 5k run. The event is open for anyone who would like to enter.
For the on-road events on Sunday, elite racers in the run-bike-run event will be competing for national championship status and cash prices, while other athletes will go for national titles in various age groups.
The Age Group Races get under way at 7 a.m. for ages 20 and up. This event features a 10k run, 40k bike and 5k run. The Elite Races begin at 9:30 a.m. with the same distances.
The Youth Nationals (ages 7 to 12) get under way at 11:30 a.m. with a 1k run, 5k bike and 1k run. The Junior Nationals (ages 13 to 19) begin at noon with a 5k run, 20k bike and 2.5k run.
The day concludes at 1 p.m. with a non-championship Sport Race, which is half the distance of the Elite division.
In addition to capturing a national title, athletes are competing for a chance to participate in the 2008 Duathlon World Championship, which will be held Sept. 27 in Rimini, Italy.
"We are excited that duathletes from all over the country are signing up to compete in Richmond," Skip Gilbert, CEO and executive director of USA Triathlon, said in a news release.
For those wishing to participate, walk-up registration is available from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the start/finish line at New Market's corporate headquarters at Second and Byrd streets.
For more information about this weekend's events, including detailed course descriptions, visit www.duathlonnationals.com.
Road Closures
Second Street from Byrd Street to Lee Bridge will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday; Second from Byrd Street to Lee Bridge will be closed all day Saturday; and Byrd Street between Second Street and Third Streets will be closed all day Saturday.