Who is racing the big duathlon in NC on Sunday? I remember this race getting a lot of press on this board of the winter. I checked out the start list and noticed a lot of studs are entered. The overall competition looks stronger than some of the big triathlons get (triangle 1000 racers, white lake, etc) in the area. Should be a great race.
I’ll be there. I’m gunning for the 35-39 AG. Black Kestrel Talon SL, Hed wheels and aerobars. If I’m lucky, I’ll be sporting Peaceful Tribe apparel while warming up.
North Carolina **** 26-04-2005 **1st Annual Powerman North Carolina Duathlon ** **Hits Chapel Hill Area on May 1, 2005 **
Runners and bikers hit the streets surrounding McDougle Middle School in Carrboro, North Carolina at 8 am on May 1st. Actually, the community will likely see some “warm up” activity leading up to the event as well in this already popular area for biking and running. In fact, it is the beautiful terrain and active nature of this area in North Carolina that led race management to organize the new Powerman North Carolina Duathlon in this location. The event will consist of 5 miles of running, almost 33 miles of biking, and another 5 miles of running. Racers will consist of first timers to the best professionals in the sport. Almost 300 racers are already registered for this inaugural event.
Team Magic’s newest Powerman venture will be managed in partnership with the well respected North Carolina based event management company, Set-Up, Inc. The event will be held on Sunday, May 1st in Carrboro, near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Directors Therese Bynum and Faye Yates of Team Magic could not be happier with their new partners. Set-Up, Inc.’s Bill Scott and Jeremey Davis have a great reputation in the world of multisport in both North and South Carolina. The strengths of both race management companies will really shine through at this inaugural event.
Professional athletes will be competing for a $5,000 cash purse and all racers get a chance to qualify for the mecca of duathlon, Powerman Zofingen, which will be held in August 2005 in Switzerland. The Powerman International Series consists of races in eight countries around the world and is known as the “premier” duathlon series in the world. Powerman events are known for great hospitality, high quality, and welcoming racers of all levels for the Powerman challenge. Powerman North Carolina joins the USA schedule along with the largest duathlon in the USA, Powerman Alabama, which just celebrated a 10th anniversary just outside of Birmingham, Alabama on April 10th. Also new on the block this year is a Powerman Ohio event on May 15th.
The men’s race is expected to be closely contested with a hot amateur field for the men, including Richard Bailey of McMinnville, OR, Billy Meredith of Harrisburg, PA, Greg Sabo of Charlotte, NC, Nat Swearingen of Durham, NC and John McGovern of Kingston, NY, Tim Kerr of Charlotte, NC, Mike Orton of Reston, VA and Duncan Hoge of Chapel Hill, NC (current national junior team member.) In the women’s race, Kristin Villopoto of Chapel Hill, NC, Kat Clewley of Greensboro, NC, Alicia Parr of Durham, NC and Stacey Richardson of Chapel Hill, NC are expected to be the top contenders.
In the Professional category, expect a nice match up between National Duathlon Professional Champion Greg Watson and the most recent winner of Powerman Alabama, Tom Jeffrey. In the women’s race, the favorite will be Andrea Ratkovic of Norman, Oklahoma…also the recent winner of the Powerman Alabama women’s race.
**Contact: **Team Magic Set-Up, Inc.
205-595-8633 910-458-0299
<u>races@team-magic.com</u> <u>billscott@set-upinc.com</u>
<u>www.team-magic.com</u> <u>www.set-upinc.com</u>