Duathlon Returns to Charleston

The duathlon (run/bike/run) race format is back in Charleston. The AB&T Sprint Duathlon will take place on May 11, at 7:30 a.m. at John’s Island high school. The distances are 2 mile run, 14 mile bike, 2 mile run. Short and sweet.

This is great news for the local multisport race scene for a couple reasons. Not only is this another multisport event to add to your calendar, but it's also the only duathlon in the area. Inside Out Sports has a nice long-course duathlon series in North Carolina, Setup Events puts on a great duathlon in Charlotte, and Bluffton has an cool little offroad duathlon series, but that means you have to travel. This event is right here in Charleston.

Mike Loggins of The Extra Mile and Logman Racing is the race director, and Atlantic Bank & Trust (AB&T) is the title sponsor. Loggins also puts on the Kiawah Triathlon and various road races, mostly 5Ks.

What is a duathlon?
Duathlon is an athletic event (not to be confused with biathlon) that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg, and then another running leg. Three segments, like triathlon, but only two disciplines. You typically see road duathlons, but in communities with a strong MTB presence, you'll see off road duathlons as well.

The duathlon is really a beautiful event and I can’t figure out why more people don’t do them. I guess because it’s even more a niche sport than triathlon. At least with triathlon, people have some sort of reference point. Everyone has heard of the Ironman. But with duathlon, you usually have to explain what it is.

I hope this race is successful, and I'm happy Loggins is keeping the format alive. There used to be a race called the Stono Ferry Biathlon (which was in fact a duathlon), that later became the Daniel Island Duathlon (5K, 20miles, 5K). But after a couple years of low turnouts, mainly because of bad weather, that duathlon was cancelled last year. Loggins, who put on both those races, is trying once again to make it happen, so please, if you have any interest at all, register soon.

Thanks for reading,
Justin W