The European Triathlon Union (ETU) has confirmed the continuation of its partnership with the International Powerman Association (IPA) to host the 2014 European Duathlon Championships.
The continued partnership allows athletes to compete in a unique weekend of duathlon, which will see the European Long Distance Duathlon Championships and European Sprint Distance Championships take place simultaneously across the weekend of 12-13 April 2014 in Horst aan de Maas in the southeastern Netherlands.
Furthermore, Powerman and the ETU have also agreed to organise in cooperation, the Olympic Distance European Duathlon Championships. This event will be held in Weyer, Austria, on 23-24 August 2014. These championships are for Elite, U23 and Age Group athletes. Alongside the standard distance competition, the organisers will also have a Junior European Championship and a mixed Duathlon relay (2 male/2 female) for Elite, U23 and junior athletes.
ETU President, Renato Bertrandi, is delighted an agreement has been reached, which will see the popular event return to the ETU calendar. “It is with great pleasure that we have found an agreement with IPA to organise our European Duathlon Championships,” said Bertrandi.
“Last year we had a successful championships in Horst; and this year, due to the success of the 2013 edition, we will once again meet in Horst for the Long and Sprint Distance European Duathlon Championships.”
He continued, “In addition, we will have the Olympic Distance European Championships, always in partnership with Powerman. I am confident that together we will deliver two exciting and successful weekends of duathlon.”
In January, the European Triathlon Union (ETU) and International Powerman Association (IPA) extended their cooperation by allocating the qualification event for the World Games in Cali to the ETU Powerman European Championships in Horst an de Maas, Holland. This built on a strengthening relationship between Powerman and ITU/ETU that got under way in 2012.
John Raadschelders, President of Powerman Holland, said “In 2012 we started the joint European Duathlon Championships for Long Distance and Sprint Distance. The feedback from athletes and National Federations has been very positive and has encouraged the ETU and Powerman to do more together.
“The results prove that we really boost duathlon in a positive way and we look forward to welcoming you in 2014. Let’s go for it, and if you’re tough enough, be there!”
The European Long Distance Duathlon Championships – a 15K run/60K bike/7.5K run – is open to Elite and Age Group athletes.
The European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships – 5K run/20K bike/2.5K run – is open to Elite, U23 and Age Groupers. There will also be a Sprint European Championships for Para-duathletes.
Last year’s competition in Horst was record breaking in terms of the number of athletes who competed across all the events and both the ETU and Powerman are delighted to offer athletes of all ages and abilities – Elite, U23, Junior and Age Groupers – the opportunity to compete in the European Duathlon Championships.
For more information on the 2014 ETU Powerman Duathlon European Championships, both Long Distance and Sprint Distance, interested parties can contact info[at]powerman.nl or visit the ETU website.
Further details on these events, along with entry registration details, will be issued in due course.
etu.triathlon.org
www.powerman.nl
