Why are there so many more tri’s than du’s?(at least in my neck of the woods) I would think that with as many athletes that struggle with the swim, there would be greater interest in duathlon. Not to mention, w/o needing a swim venue, you can put du’s on about anywhere. Any thoughts?
I’m all in favor of more dualthlons a long as they’re bike-swim-bike. In our area there always seems to be a duathlon with a triathlon, at least at the sprint levels.
The other alternative is to earn how to swim. And also consider that there are triathletes who aren’t particularly fond of running and welcome the swim portion.
Im a swimmer myself, most triathletes I have encountered have a running background, just seems to me that there would be a greater demand for du’s. I think that would take some heat off the busting at the seams tri market.
One of the local michigan/Arizona race companies puts on a duathlon with every race (3disciplines racing) thats how I got my start did all last year as a duathlete, then got in the pool this winter. Every race it was the same turnout 600 triathletes, <30 duathletes, I think many of the RDs don’t think it is worth the trouble.
Jim
I’ve talked to a lot of people in tri who are predominately runners (cyclists seem rarer)and they still all seem to prefer doing triathlon than duathlon. Some of them are really good runners but not great swimmers but still prefer triathlon. Probably just more of a challenge doing three sports than just one. The duathletes that I know personally are usually people who can’t swim, or at least not very well.
As for myself I do only this one duathlon a year and as a bit of of lark since myself and another guy always do it as a team. Naturally I ride the bike.
I think it’s the challenge. Anyone can ride and bike and run but you throw that swim in there and all of a sudden doing a triathlon is something special. I’m terrible at the swim but that’s what makes tri-ing a big deal to me. I know a number of people who said they would love to do a triathlon but it’s the swim that scares them away.
i’m surprised there aren’t a few more dus just because i would think they’d be easier to organize. tons of places to run and ride. not so many to swim-ride-run. plus, dus are much less weather dependent…
When I first saw this post I was thinking Oh no! Its the dreaded which is tougher. Thank goodness its not. As my moniker suggests Im pretty much a duathlete. Its a sport that speaks to me. I did tris for quite a while and wasnt too bad a swimmer but it just didnt appeal to me as much. I agree that when there is a tri/du there are always more people in the tri. Definately makes us duheads feel like the ugly readheaded step child. I think the extra event coupled with the fact that triathlon is marketed better (Ironman etc…) that it is going to appeal to more people. I always have wondered if they televised Powerman Zofingen and hyped it as much as Ironman Hawaii if that would effect the particiapation of duathlon. Just a thought.
From a weather perspective, you could do duathlon’s almost year-round.
I live in North Central Illinois, and the triathlon season is pretty short … basically Jun-Jul-Aug-Sept. You could start duatlons in Feb and go through Nov. I like the idea of doing all 3. Duathlons don’t appeal to me. Duathlons? Aren’t they called “bricks”. 
When you suck at all 3 events, you don’t really play favorites.
I agree with most of Duman’s comments. Some areas have lots of du’s. Some virtually none. The areas that have a kind of “du season” seem to do well. Late winter, early spring for du’s then head into the tri season. Summertime du’s don’t seem to do as well in these areas because they are competing w/ tris.
Do it like cycling/cyclocross. Have du’s when it’s too cold for tri’s and turnout wil be better. Then you’ll get the triathletes that are chomping at the bit to race, participating.
I have to agree that duathlon lacks the status of triathlon. It may be a matter of marketing. USAT was hiring a duathlon coordinator last year to help promote the sport. I wonder where that stands. Not that I want to open up a USAT fight.
Done both many times IMHO Du’s are harder to race Tri’s are more fun and harder to train for.
That www.swimbikerunstlouis site shows they are having a tri series and a Du series this year.
One issue that affects many people in considering Duathlon verse Triathlon is that of eye sight. For those of us who wear eyeglasses full time, the swim leg of a Tri is not very enjoyable. Having to walk around with prescription goggles before the swim leg has started is no fun.
That being said, I do enjoy the sport of Duathlon and would like to see interest expanded.
Triathlon was the original challenge that got the multisport ball rolling. Duathlon is an excuse for those who aren’t up to the full challenge. Duathlon is like DNFing every time.
Flame away, flounders.
Larry
dude your sooo screwed in the head. I own a olympic tri PB of 1:54:13 and have won both du’s and tri’s. I haven’t been in a pool in 6.5 yrs. Give me 4 months and I’m willing to bet you I still can go under 2hrs. Doing a tri is like joining the boy scouts, easy. I can barely break 2 hr in a duathlon, of course it’s much harder more like joining the Marines. If you want a real challenge come on out for the dannon duathlon in phoenix you can stay at my house.
Duman what part of the country are you in?
BTW much love to larry
desert dude, just out of curiosity, what drink system do you use? I’m thinking of ditching my launcher…
I use a bottle on the down tube. i’ve tried front mounted systems, rear mounted systems and even rigged a few of my own. Nothing beats the downtube cage.
If I ever need another bottle I grab it and just hold it in my hand. I’ve actually race a few tri’s this way, the entire way actually, when I had my cage break twice. When climbing just put the top in your mouth.
I think it’s just that a triathlon is a more interesting challenge.
Generally speaking, duathlons are more intensely populated by pretty talented people. It seems that triathlons attract a broader range of athletes – like marathons do.
The duathlons I’ve looked at are very, very competitive deep into the field.
Hold it in your hand? That doesn’t sound like fun.
You’ve pretty much got to go with a front or rear system(or both) if you’re doing long course tris on a bike w/braze ons for only one bottle.
I love the front mounted system. I tolerate the rear when racing IM. Strangely, my bottles don’t come out as they are actually pointed towards the front of the bike instead of the rear. I’m not sure why. I guess it’s my saddle/holder configuration.
The next time somebody asks “what is a bitchslap”? I’m just going to link them to this post.
“Flame away flounders”. Classic.