American Zofingen will take place on October 23rd, 2005, at Mohonk Preserve, near New Paltz, NY, just 90 miles north of New York City. Our inspiration is the legendary Powerman Zofingen, the severity of which is due more to its terrain (mountainous road bike course, hilly trail runs) than its formidable length (10K run / 150K bike / 30K run). American Zofingen, although slightly shorter, is actually harder. US athletes no longer need travel to Europe to experience the best that duathlon has to offer. Mohonk, as a venue, offers stunning scenery and a grueling challenge. Late October in the Hudson Valley is a wondrous time of flaming foliage, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hot cider, headless horsemen and, now, the toughest duathlon on the planet. Come join us. www.americanzofingen.triathletesonline.com
…this is so late in the season. Oct 2 would be much better for 2006 !
Thanks for your feedback. I hope to get through 2005 first, but 2006 looks interesting as the Powerman Zofingen organization, I.P.A., has expressed interest in our event for the future. Late October weather can prove tricky, but part of the legend of Zofingen is tough autumn weather. The 2nd half of October is a wonderul time to visit the Hudson Valley. I feel that many multisport athletes, including myself, want one final “A” race to close the season with prior to taking a November rest before starting the next season’s base building. I also wanted to make it possible to race both Powerman Zofingen in Switzerland in late August, as well as American Zofingen. And, finally, open water swimming becomes near impossible in late October in our region, so hopefully area triathletes will try a duathlon.
Personally, I think from an economics perspective, you will get very few racers who will do Zofingen CH and Zofingen NY, so don’t base any dates on athletes doing the double as it won’t pad the revenue/profitability.
If you go late Sep, or early Oct, and also offer a “light race option” like 10-90-10 (in addition to the full), you will get several athletes who might use it as a tune up race for Kona, Ironman Florida, Great Floridian etc etc.
Finally, days get shorter in Oct and in many places much colder, and this effects many people’s ability to keep up the bike miles. If you go with early Oct, they are already into taper mode in mid Sep.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that October is my down time. On Nov 1, I have to start training for the main sport (XC Skiing) so late Oct won’t work for me (so just consider all the above as selfish lobbying on my part…) 
Dev
Thanks, all good and valid points.
You’re assuming I’m concerned about profitability, which is a fair assumption. I’m actually not too concerned with that, other than to be able to provide quality to the racers and build up the prize pool to attract the best.
Actually, I selfishly wish to race both Powerman CH, and American Zofingen. I think there will be others.
There are plenty of shorter options for people to tune up for Great Floridian, Kona, etc… We’re limited by the venue as to parking, so our goal isn’t to maximize the field.
My motivation is to provide the “Zofingen experience” right here in the US for hard core endurance athletes.
I think it’s entirely possible to maintain adequate training well into October. If an athlete is going to rely on his October mileage to get through this event, he’d better wait for next year. The work that will lead to success in American Zofingen was done from last winter up until today. As it is, cycle racing lasts into November in the northeast.
Having said all that, 2006 is wide open. An early October date might very well prove to be preferable, and your advice is greatly appreciated.
Dev, thank you for singlehandedly keeping my post alive and best wishes for XC.
Well, I think there should be more of these type of races around. In 2002, we had a Powerman event sanctioned by the IPA folks in Zofingen here in Ottawa, but unfortunately at the 11th hour the RD decided that he did not want to put up the prize money given the small pro field and thus lost the sanction. In any event, we had a killer course, with 1000 ft vertical per 10 K run (shortened to 9K on race day) and 5000 ft vertical over the 65 K ride.
Here are the results:
http://www.sportstats.ca/res2002/powerp.htm
In the future, I’ve been thinking of putting on my own event in the same location in the Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa in late Sep (ideal for Canadians) that might be a good tune up for the dudes doing your event in NY. My vision is something like 10K run - 90K bike - 10 K run, with 1000 ft of climbing per run on a different run course than previously held and a 6500 ft of climbing on the 90K bike.
Most of the duathlons around are lameass 10-40-5 etc etc on flat and “fast courses”. For some reason, RD’s think that duathletes won’t show up for something really challenging. I say make it hard, build it and they will come. While we only had around 75 in the first year, it could have grown to 500 within 2 years with the right planning, marketing and packaging.
LOL…Telling John McGovern to move the race date to accomodate your schedule XC ski schedule… Funny.
John’s a great guy. I met him last year in Rochester at the Spring Classic Du. I came in a distant second to him and the only reason it wasn’t more is because I had the RD turn him off course on the first run. From what I know of John the bike should be very tough.
Maybe the Banff/Jasper fall camp might pay-off? It might be worth a ride down state.
Trevor, sounds like you’ll have to do your personal Banff-ingen training weekend in the Rockies in mid Sep and then go and rip up the American Zofingen course in late Oct :-).
Well, I hope you do put on your race. I’ll be there. On July 8th I did a Zofingen distance event in Levis, Quebec, and grew quite fond of north of the border. My main adversary on that day, Patrick Lemay, went on to place 10th overall at this year’s Zofingen!
I would like to see a rational, annual race calendar. Unfortunately, US Nationals, and ITU Worlds, roam all over the calendar, making it hard to plan your year or forcing you to make hard choices. The International Powerman Association recognized this vis a vis Kona and moved their date to the 3rd weekend in August. Not everyone goes to Kona, so, I’ll keep the 3rd weekend in October, and you take the last weekend in September.
Good luck.
Thank you, Trevor, for you kind words. I remember that race well. I think it was the 4th or 5th guy behind me who finally called me back to the course ;-). Yellow Jacket Racing certainly puts on great events; you’re lucky to be in their region.
Yes, this bike course is a beast. It’s certainly worth the trip. I hope you can make it. If you see Beth Burchill, tell her this race has her name on it.
“10K run - 90K bike - 10 K run, with 1000 ft of climbing per run on a different run course than previously held and a 6500 ft of climbing on the 90K bike”
→ Now that’s something I’d sign up for! I spent a lot of time in the Gats growing up. My parents are still in Ottawa and bug me to come home for a race there. I can’t bear to leave AB in the spring/summer months because we just don’t get enough warm days here. A cool late-fall Du in the Ottawa area would be amazing!
I’m interested.
Are there decent hotels around?
What would be the entry fee?
Are the courses multiple loops, out and backs, ect?
Thanks in advance.
Wow John,
Welcome to Ulster County, one of the most beautiful and most overlooked areas in the country. I will definately be aiming for your race next year. This year I'm recovering from two knee surgeries, but as of this weekend I'm now a runner again. I think you date is perfect, I've seen six inches of snow on the ground at Bellayre in northern Ulster County on Columbus day, but you never can tell with October. The perfect double will be; The S.O.S in early September, American Zofingen in October. The perfect triple: Escarpement Trail Run in July, S.O.S, Am Zofingen. I can't wait!
Good luck, I'll see you next year, Jim Sweeney
great choice for the location (better than the the initial Harriman State Park I think) - just rode part of the course this weekend to have friends practice for the Survival of the Shawangunks (S.O.S) this coming weekend.
best of luck.
check out www.newpaltzchamber.org … there’s a luxury accom. on the nature preserve and the more buget super 8, econolodge and roadway in in New Paltz
One of our sponsors is Hudson Valley Triathlon Club. The club enjoys a good relationship with the Williams Lake Resort, which hosts our thrice weekly open water swim workouts and monthly club sprint tri races. It’s the closest hotel to the race venue, and they support the sport. www.willylake.com
The first run is 1 x 5.5 mile loop, pretty much up, then down, just like Zofingen. All trails, but good ones. Mostly carriage trails but the main ascent is steep, single track.
The bike is 3 x 28 mile loops, with serious ascents and descents, totalling 850 meters of climbing per lap. Good roads. NYS Troopers will keep us safe, as they always do.
Final run is 3 times the first run. This will help you as the competitor. It breaks it up, and you know what’s coming.
Entry is $90 prior to October 1. Field limit 125. Post October 1, $125. Non-USAT, $9 extra.
Thanks for your interest. If you’ve got the base training, you’ll be so happy you did this one.
Whoops…
I thought it was for next year!
I’m definitely interested for '06 though.
Keep us posted - sounds cool and different (as well as very difficult which is a nice change from pr and time-based courses). Thanks for putting this on.
I am SO there!
How do I sign up?
Well, we certainly hope to be back next year, but wouldn’t it be great to be able to say you were there when it all began? You’ve got a little under 7 weeks to prepare. Piece of cake. BTW, what’s with the scary handle? You’d be perfect at a race around halloween.
Great! www.americanzofingen.triathletesonline.com
Give me a day or so to post the application / waiver.