Duathlons are a big deal in Europe

Duathlons are tough, some may even say they’re harder than triathlons. Completing a run before the bike absolutely destroys your legs, then you have to run again. It’s safe to say, duathlons are not for the faint of heart.

Related: Triathlete to duathlete: Why you should do a duathlon

On May 11th, hundreds of age group and professional multisport athletes raced the European Powerman Middle Distance Duathlon Championships in Viborg-Nytorv, Denmark. Comprised of a 10K run, 60K bike and another 10K run, some of Europe’s strongest duathletes competed for the continental title.

The run featured four loops of a 2.5K course that included multiple short hills in the centre of Viborg. On the bike, those completing the middle distance race did two loops of a 30K course. The course featured cobblestone sections and rolling hills.

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#Repost @3athlon.be with @get_repost ・・・ Een week na het Belgisch kampioenschap duatlon long distance pakte Jan Petralia op een haar na zijn tweede trui van het seizoen tijdens de Europese kampioenschappen Powerman long distance duatlon. In de 10 km lopen, 60 km fietsen en 10 km lopen zette Jakke Petrol een stevige inhaalrace in op de Nederlander Daan De Groot. https://www.3athlon.be/2019/05/11/jan-petralia-strandt-op-halve-minuut-van-europese-titel-in-powerman-duatlon/ #duathlon #europeanchampionship #runbikerun #powerman #europeanchampionship

A post shared by John Raadschelders (@powerman_duathlon) on May 11, 2019 at 1:28pm PDT

The elite race was won by Daan de Groot of the Netherlands in 2:37:19, and Petra Eggenschwiler of Switzerland in 2:54:39. De Groot completed each of his 10K runs in 33 minutes or less, and time trialled a 60K course in 1:30:19. Eggenschwiler finished her first 10K in 33:57, her 60K bike in 1:40:08 and hung on for the win with a 38:01 ten kilometre run.

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Melanie Maurer: Impressions of the Duathlon Middle Distance European Championship in Viborg, which was a hard one. ???? Thank you so much for all your support! ? Recovery-Mode now: ON ✔️ . . . ?Photocredits: @schwenkestefan @ingo_kutsche_photo @Stefan Jeschke . . . #duathlon #swissduathlon #nopainnogain #powermanviborg #powerman #europeanchampionship #runbikerun #dtswisswheels #powerbar_europe @ Old City of Bern #viborg

A post shared by John Raadschelders (@powerman_duathlon) on May 13, 2019 at 5:55am PDT

In Canada, many race organizers hold multisport events that include duathlons, triathlons, aquathlons and aquabikes. These events are a great way to get involved in the community, try out a new sport, work on your running ability and maybe win a few medals.

Reasons for triathletes to do a du:

1) If swimming is not your strong suit, a duathlon gives you the opportunity to be competitive from the time the gun goes.

Related: How to make the transition: Swimmer to triathlete

2) By racing an early season duathlon or two, you can focus on increasing your run mileage before the triathlon season.

Related: Why a runner should try triathlons

3) Doing a duathlon is a (really, really) tough brick session.

4) The duathlon season can extend your triathlon season.