I’m interested to know why readers of this board would, or would not, compete in a duathlon here in the US which would replicate the length (10K/150K/30K) and severity (punishing ascents and descents on both bike and run) of Powerman Zofingen. Thank you for any rational response.
For me personally, if the runs were on trails or other soft surface and the course was in a very scenic locale I would consider it. 40K of pounding the pavement is just out of the question for me.
I’m pretty tired of the boring old standard Du format, and would love to try something like this.
Of course, I’m pretty limited for travel right now (with two small kids at home), so hopefully it would be within a day’s travel from me. 
In fact, I wish I could have participated in some of the Powerman events this year that you’ve been destroying…congrats!!
It is kinda’ strange that these events do not get more of a turn-out considering the formidable challenge they pose.
I would love too. Never did Zofingen because I hate the cold. But a Zofingen like race in a warm place, with a hard ride and hilly runs would be awesome.
I would definitely consider a duathlon of that distance if it was within a day’s drive of Atlanta.
Why compete at that race? Hmm well on paper it would be more demanding than an IM. In reality it would probably be much more demanding than the avg IMNA event, just as duathlons are more physically demanding than an equal duration triathlon. It’s a distance that can be raced versus just doing an event.
As for the reasons not, it would be harder than a triathlon of equal or slightly longer duration meaning more recovery time is needed.
Thank you everyone for some excellent responses. Perhaps there’s hope for an October US based ultra duathlon.
bump
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Congratulations on PM OH John. I bonked so bad on the second lap of the bike that I lost about 15:00 on my projected finish time! I was crawling.
Anyway, Id love to do a “Zofingenesque” type of Du here in the US. I am hoping to go and actually do Zofingen next year as a kind of 40 birthday present to myself.
I would be there with bells on. My three year program includes Zofingen…TWICE. I love duathlon and wish there were even MORE long distance events here in the US.
I’ve never done a du, but I would love to try one of that distance if it was close enough to home.
John,
As an aside, what do you know about the short and long course duathlon nationals courses? Hills? Flat? How would the compare to, say PM NC course in that regard? Thanks,
I’d consider doing a long course duathlon if it was held in SoCal. These distances are a bit much, though. How about 15-20K/120K/10K instead?
I would absolutely consider it. Having been in Denmark in '04, I know that 20k/120k/10k is hard, but doable. The challenge of extending myself to a Zofingen-like distance would be enough, but give it hard profile as well and I think I know what the primary objective of my season would be.
yeah, i’d be interested. i love duathlons (hate to swim) as they’re usually great training for triathlons. this one sounds like it would be less like training and more like an A race. sounds good.
Thanks, Duman. Ohio sure was tough, but I think the US can do with something far harder. Be well.
TriBriGuy,
I don’t know the course at Mason, but it’s profile is posted at USAT.
As far as LC Nats. at the Buckeye challenge, both runs have a tough hill midway, and the gravel path can be paiful. Don’t wear shoes that can pcik up and hold a stone like I did. The bike is very tough, with lots of climbing and corners. Do yourself a favor and pre-ride it. I’d put it on par with PM NC. It’s an excellent race.
Good luck!
John, you know I will there too. I hear the hills of Harriman calling.
tetsuoni-
Wondering if Lake Placid in Oct would work? Community receptive to events of this type, the hills are there, etc. No need to replicate the IM course, but on the other hand, not alot of need to re-invent the wheel either.
Also, there was a guy in Du.com that was working on something like this out in CA. Anything else heard on that?
Saw your comments on duathlon.com as well. To be honest a Fall PM du or duathlon of that ilk would be attractive to me. The problems with the PM schedule this year was that they did take place early in the year and were relatively close date wise.
A fall PM type DU would be a great way to end the year. I think a date around or on IMH is a good idea. As someone mentioned earlier not everyone does IMH and in actuality you will see several IM distance Tri’s scheduled in September and October currently as season enders for many tri-folk. Why not a PM Duatlon as well?
Thanks for soliciting input.
fal7 in Houston