Race Coverage

Like a Good Novel...

Friday, 03 September 2010 05:00

Race Coverage - By Steph Alcivar

The Murphy Duathlon is a great introduction into off-road multi-sport events for the seasoned triathlete. The run course is quite challenging, serving as a great test of strength and high-output endurance on those never-ending hills. And the bike course is a great entry-level trail that has enough variety and flow to keep the advanced rider entertained. Running being my worst discipline, I was off to an early lag-behind; itching to get out on the bike ASAP.

The Murphy-Hanrehan bike course is like a good novel. (For a less metaphorical description, check out the details on the MORC website.) The initial prairie section is an easy introduction that gets you hooked into the storyline. The next section is somewhat tight and twisty, disrupting the

akin the introduction of conflict in a novel. Then comes the rising action in which you slowly pick your way up the ridge, barely realizing that you