USA Triathlon will host a virtual duathlon from April 10 to May 17 to support members of the multisport community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run presented by TOWER 26 is free to enter and offers both a sprint- and standard-distance option. This gives both beginner and experienced duathletes alike the opportunity to take part in a digital running and cycling challenge alongside peers from across the United States.
By making an optional US$35 donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund as part of registration, participants will receive a finisher medal and… ‘most importantly, support race directors, coaches, club leaders and other members of the multisport community who are impacted by the crisis.’
Registration for the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run will open on Monday, April 6, and athletes can sign-up online.
Individuals who do not wish to participate in the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run can still make a direct donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund to support members of the multisport community affected by COVID-19.
The first US$20,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris and his wife Elizabeth Harris (for the first US$10,000), and a combination of the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees and the USA Triathlon Board of Directors (for the second US$10,000).
All donations received will be used to create a grant program to support those in the multisport community impacted by the crisis. Additional information on the grant program will be forthcoming.
“The multisport community has been deeply impacted by COVID-19, and many local race directors, coaches and club directors are not going to be able to stay in business, pay their bills and provide for their families if we don’t step in and do something now,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO.
“The grassroots industry professionals in our sport have supported us along our journey to reach our personal goals and now we have an opportunity to give back to the sport that has given us so much. I encourage everyone to participate in the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run and for those who have the ability to make a philanthropic donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“Athletes now have the opportunity to support those for whom multisport is not only a passion, but also their livelihood.”
David Deschenes, USA Triathlon Foundation Executive Director, said “With the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run, presented by TOWER 26, athletes can connect with the larger multisport community while social distancing, which is critical as we all do our part to flatten the curve.
“During this uncertain time, key stakeholders in the multisport community are suddenly struggling to make a living – including race directors who have had to postpone or cancel events, coaches who are unable to attract new clients, and local triathlon clubs facing membership declines.
“But our sport can continue to overcome through the generosity of donors nationwide. We hope that those who have the capacity to give will do so as part of their registration for the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run, or via a direct donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund.”
The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run is presented by TOWER 26, a triathlon coaching organization that provides customized training for multisport enthusiasts of all levels across the globe. TOWER 26 is providing all USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run participants with 30 days of free access to a customized training program.
Supporting partners include TrueForm and FlipBelt. One Virtual Run-Bike-Run participant will be selected at random to receive a USA Triathlon-branded TrueForm Trainer Treadmill valued at US$4,995. In addition, the first 500 participants to donate to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund as part of their registration will receive a code for a complimentary FlipBelt Classic running and fitness workout belt.
During the four-week-long event, participants will be challenged to complete the run-bike-run segments for either a sprint- or standard-distance duathlon. The sprint duathlon consists of a 5km run, 20km bike and a 2.5km run, while the standard-distance is a 10km run, 40km bike and 5km run. Athletes can complete all three segments on the same day, or complete one segment at a time over the course of several days or weeks.
Athletes can upload workouts to the Virtual Run-Bike-Run platform, powered by FitRankings, at any time over the four weeks. Run and bike workouts can be synced to the platform automatically via most GPS-enabled workout devices, smartphone apps and smartwatches – including Garmin, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Misfit, Polar, Strava, Suunto, Google Fit, RunKeeper, Apple Health and MapMyFitness. Manual uploads are also available.
Participants will be listed as finishers provided they complete their selected race distances by the end of the challenge on May 17. Workouts may be completed outdoors or indoors while observing social distancing measures and all applicable government mandates and guidelines: spin bikes and stationary bikes, bike trainers and treadmills are all acceptable.
The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run is USA Triathlon’s third virtual race, after the organization hosted the Time to Tri Virtual Triathlon last November, and the #DreamingSeason Time to Tri Virtual Triathlon in February. USA Triathlon plans to offer several more virtual racing opportunities throughout 2020.
www.usatriathlonfoundation.org
www.usatriathlon.org
