Race Coverage

By Diane Hankee

RACE REPORT - The National Long Course Duathlon race in Cary was beautiful and challenging.  No regrets going to this race! 

The run course was a five mile out and back, that we completed two times.  It was mostly on a trail that had a mile and a half of a 1:1 slope - the kind of hill you would seek to train on and could have walked up just as fast.  The run course also had a little mud for a short section that added some excitement and sliding. 

The thirty-two mile bike was fast and rolling, mostly sheltered by a park forest.  There were a lot of athletes from around the Country which created some great competition in the female field.  However, it was unfortunate to see a few draft packs on the bike and some females mixed in there.  ....

I had a great time traveling with Patrick Parish (1st male overall), Suzie Fox (7th overall female), and Brendon O’Flanagan (19th overall)  my NOW Tri team mates. They are awesome people and accomplished athletes.  Thanks to NOW Tri and Bikes for the great gear and support!

ED. Diane forgot to mention in her terse and pithy report that she placed 2nd overall (!) in the women's race. The girl who beat her (by only 16 seconds) is Laura Kline of New Paultz, New York, who has been one of America's premier amateur duathletes since 2004. She WON the 2012 Duathlon World Championship in Nancy, France.

PHOTO ABOVE - Nutritious road trip food.