Race Previews

Spring Dus: Steve's 2 Cents....

Monday, 04 February 2013 00:10

Steve's Photo - Steve is the guy in the colorful bike pants)

By Steve Stenzel (St. Paul Triathlon Examiner)

It's late January in Minnesota, so it's time to start thinking about early season duathlons.

Below is a list of 5 great local duathlons either in the Twin Cities Metro area or just a short drive away. I've raced all of them numerous times (16 total races among these 5 races), so here are my 2 cents on these upcoming duathlons.

- Falls Duathlon, Cannon Falls, MN. Saturday April 27, 9 a.m. 2 mile run, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run. $45 through 2/28/13.

The Falls Duathlon is put on by Final Stretch, and they host professional yet low-key races. They tend to be great for beginners if you don't want to be intimidated and overwhelmed. That being said, they're good races for all abilities. ... The Falls Duathlon has 2 very pretty runs (see photo of falls below) that have many smaller rolling hills. The bike is an out-and-back that has some smaller hills, and it's usually pretty breezy.

- Cinco DU Mayo Duathlon, Stillwater (at Square Lake). Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. Long Course: 5K run, 20 mile bike, 5K run. Short Course: 2 mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run. Both are $60 before 4/20/13.

If you've biked out in the Stillwater area, you know it's hilly. This race doesn't disappoint. The short course is still a "leg burner" because of the hills, but the long course is completely do-able (and it's 2 loops so you know what's coming the second time around). The runs are all out-and-backs so you can glance at your competition. There's just one up-and-down hill on the runs. They have a lot of parking right on-site at Square Lake, and there's a great taco feed afterwards.

- Oakdale Duathlon, Lake Elmo, MN. Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. 3 mile run, 14 mile bike, 2.5 mile run. $55 through 4/11/13.

This is a pretty race. The run is on paved roads and trails through the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The bike has you leave the park and it has some hills, but isn't bad. Again, this is a race that attracts all kinds of athletes: from beginners to elites.

- Gear West Duathlon, Orono, MN. Sunday, May 19, 8 a.m. 4.5K run, 30K bike, 4.5K run. (2.8, 18.6, and 2.8 miles.) $45 through 4/30 (without t-shirt).

This race is a bit more "hardcore" because of the potentially messy, winding, muddy off-road runs. It draws a lot of local elites, and it's a great race to come watch. The run course is mostly the same and the bike is the same as years past, but they've moved transition to a parking lot a bit farther north. That's why it's no long a 5K and 4K run - they've "evened it out" with two 4.5K runs. And now they have permission to access the school (and locker rooms) to stay warm / dry if it's not a good day (much like at the Apple Duathlon).

- Apple Duathlon, Sartell, MN. Saturday, May 25, 8:30 a.m. 5K run, 33K bike (20.5 miles), 5K run. $60 for individuals through May 22. Additional $10 USAT 1-day fee not included.

The Apple Duathlon is once again a World Qualifier in 2013, so they'll be a lot of speedy people there. The 5K runs are fast loops through the city with just one hill near the very start. The bike leaves the city and wanders back along the river. It's usually windy on the way back to T2, so save a little in your legs for the last 6 miles of the ride.

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