A rare crisp morning along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis greeted approximately 1,000 athletes arriving for the Inaugural Minneapolis Duathlon and Bike Time Trial, on August 30th, 2009. Even before the sun began to rise over the river, racers were showing up, picking out their spot in the transition area, ready for some fun, exercise and maybe a little competition. The weather couldn’t have been any more perfect for these athletes who wanted to become duathletes.

The Adventure of the Minneapolis Duathlon

The race began with a 5K run along West River Road,

across the River onto Boom and Nicollet Islands and back to the transition area. The 18-mile bike route went south with the Mississippi River along West River Road. The road was closed for the race from West Broadway 9 miles south to the road’s turnaround. When the racers returned from the bike, they did the same 5K run again.

“It was a beautiful route,” participant Kelly White said. She, her husband and 13-year-old son drove in from Wisconsin to race in the duathlon as a relay team. It certainly is beautiful: the historic feel of Nicollet Island, the calming view of the grand Mississippi River and the quaint tree-lined street of West River Road really gave racers some of the best views Minneapolis has to offer.

“Thank you to Team Ortho,” first-time duathlete Gary Smisek said. “The course was well laid out. There was no way to get off course for the bike [portion of the race].” That sentiment was echoed by Rob White who did the bicycle portion of the White family relay, “There was no guessing on the bike course.”

The Duathlon for Every BODY!

Team Ortho Foundation prides itself of organizing amateur events like the Minneapolis Duathlon and the Minneapolis Marathon (Monster and Polar Dashes too!) to keep people active. Ultimately that activity promotes strong bone, muscular and skeletal health. This is why Team Ortho Foundation decided to organize a race that would give a first-timer the chance to compete in a duathlon without feeling intimidated or not good enough. “I really wanted to see new athletes try a duathlon for the first time,” said John Larson, Team Ortho Executive Director.

Team Ortho Foundation organized three training sessions for new duathletes. In partnership with SCS Multisport, more than 60 people learned about transitions from the experts: how to rack the bike, moving swiftly in transition and most importantly always wear your helmet when with your bike. “It was so exciting to see runners and cyclists take on this new challenge – beginning with our training and then to watch them a few weeks later cross the finish line...There are no words to describe the pride I have in each and every one of these athletes,” Larson said.

Another way the organization promoted the event was to accept many different bikes and to have award categories for each of them. This way a single speed bike isn’t competing directly with a road/tri bike. “We wanted athletes to feel like they could take the bike out of their garage and race in our event,” said Caleb Olsen, Team Ortho’s Director of Training and Operations. This year the categories included road bikes, mountain bikes, commuter/hybrid bikes and single speeds.

There were also two other kinds of races on the day of the duathlon. People who only wanted to run had the option to do the 5K. While people who only wanted to bike, could do the Individual Time Trial down West River Road. Between all of these events and the different categories, 210 awards were given to top finishers.

You can now call yourself a Duathlete!

First-timers signed up for the Minneapolis Duathlon in droves; including Kristina Koznick, a Minnesota-native who has been on the US Olympic Ski Team three times, the White family who did a relay, and Gary Smisek, a 62-year-old runner who wanted to celebrate his birthday with his first duathlon.

Kristina Koznick: Kristina says she was talked into it by a friend of hers. She has done a lot of cross-training to prepare for skiing events, but had never done a duathlon before. On race day – she was there and took on the course with everyone else.

Kristina reflected after the race about what an “absolute blast” she had. “There were people of all shapes, sizes, fitness levels, etc…what a cool event!” She described the event as challenging – but “that you could make it as challenging as you wanted it to be.” One of Kristina’s challenges—her water bottle! She dropped it at mile two of the bike and stopped to try and get it, “not a good idea” she added. “All in all, it was a wonderful day full of hard work and smiles. I loved it!”

Kelly, Rob & Peter White: Kelly started running in August of 2008. After doing a triathlon and a half marathon, she talked her husband into doing the Minneapolis Duathlon as a family. “I thought it would be a great race for Rob, Peter and I to do together.” Kelly’s third-degree ankle sprain didn’t prevent them from taking part either.

After the race Kelly described the event as exciting and she said the hills were not too bad – her 5K time was her personal best! The rest of the family enjoyed the race too. Kelly and Rob described doing the family relay as a bonding experience. “It’s kind of cool that the family is now getting into racing and exercising,” Kelly said.

Gary Smisek: Gary turned 62 on the day of the Minneapolis Duathlon and he says he wouldn’t have had his birthday any other way. In recent years, Gary has put his health first, he started competing in running races in 2000. Two years ago, he hit a rough patch with a minor stroke because of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They are all under control now.

After crossing the finish line at the duathlon, Gary exclaimed, “It was the best day of my life!” He decided to go with a slow and steady pace for the whole event. He was very pleased with that strategy. Gary said he never walked and he “increased his speed in his last 5K”. Gary says he wants to be back for the duathlon each year – even when he turns 82!

2010 Duathlon date is set

Next year’s Minneapolis Duathlon is already open for registration. The date is August 29th, 2010. Click here to register now!