The Auburn International Duathlon is part of the infamous Auburn Triathlon weekend, featuring "The World's Toughest Half-Ironman". The Auburn races are the mastermind of Brad Kearns, owner of [BradVentures] (website:BradVentures.com), former professional triathlete, published author and multi-faceted entrepreneur.

The 2008 Duathlon is sponsored by Master Formula (MasterFormula.com) and is called the Damage Control Master Formula Auburn International Duathlon. The 2008 race is also the host to the USA Triathlon National Long Course Championships, in which the top three finishers in each age division will be awarded spots on Team USA.

The Auburn Duathlon, like the other Auburn events, is known for both it's extremely challenging course as well as the extensive beauty of the area. With a series of very challenging hills, the Duathlon is not catered to the first-timer. Though the race usually does not attract a multitude of participants, you can be assured of a high fitness level amongst those that show.

Brad takes pride in all of his events and has created a warm, "family" setting that harks back to the early days of multi-sport racing.

The Duathlon course consists of three legs:
RUN: 3 kilometers (1.8 miles)
BIKE: 90 kilometers (56 miles)
RUN: 21 kilometers (13.1 miles)

The Bike and 2nd Run of the Duathlon follow the same course of the Auburn Triathlon World's Toughest Half. The timing is coordinated to match the Auburn Triathlon participants. That is, the initial 3k Run is timed to finish at approximately the same time the first swimmers in the Auburn Triathlon emerge from the water. Duathletes and Triathletes can then compete head to head for the remaining Bike/Run.

Important Note: This is a two-transition race. You need TWO pairs of running shoes (or carry your running shoes with you on the bike, which is probably the more difficult way to do it).

RUN #1
distance: 3 kilometers

The initial Run takes place at Rattlesnake Bar Park, the same site of the swim venue for the Auburn Triathlon. The run starts at 7:15am.

The first 1/2 mile of the course is on a flat (or nearly flat) paved road that leads towards the park exit. As you reach a fork in the road at a stop sign, you turn LEFT onto a dirt road that follows along the lake. This section is also fairly flat.

At approximately .9 miles into the course you turn onto the Pony Express Trail and head back towards the finish line. The Pony Express Trail varies between a single track and double track, though passing is fairly simple most of the way.

This trail rolls up and down, peaking at about 60 feet higher than where you started. Footing is mostly secure throughout the trail.

With a quarter-mile to go, you emerge from the trail and into a large parking lot (that is for horse staging, in case that matters to you). Descent to the park road and head back to transition.

BIKE
distance: 56 miles

The bike course is the same as the Auburn Triathlon World's Toughest Half. Though it is very scenic, it is extremely hilly and challenging - much more difficult than the Wildflower long course ride.

You start at Rattlesnake Bar (elevation 466 feet above sea-level), peak at 2200 foot elevation and then finish at the Auburn Overlook (1,350 foot elevation). Through it all you will climb approximately 6000 feet.

RUN #2
distance: 13.1 miles

The run follows the same course as the Auburn Triathlon World's Toughest Half. Like the bike course, it is scenic but extremely challenging. The course will take you on both pavement and trails (single track, double track and fire roads) throughout Auburn State Park.

The first three miles are a gradual descent down a paved road. But what goes down, must come up. There are two extremely tough climbs on the run course and the first one is Cardiac Bypass, that goes from mile 3 to mile 4.2. The climb doesn't let up. At mile 4.2 you head onto a canal trail which is flat as a pancake and a very fast part of the course. You emerge from the canal trail at mile 6.2. The next 4.8 miles (until mile 11) are on single track or fire roads, marked by mild rollers and gradual ascent/descents. Mile 11 to 11.6 are a steep descent down towards to bottom of the canyon. Again, what goes down must come up and mile 11.6 until the finish (mile 13.1) are up the notorious Dam Wall - one of the most difficult hills you'll run up in a race.

Total climbing is 1,325 feet.

Note: Some of the trails are a bit technical. It's easy to sprain an ankle so pay attention!

Auburn Duathlon bike elevation gain

After watching the first run (and the swimmers in the Auburn Triathlon) at Folsom Lake, the best place to watch the rest of the race is the finish line, which is also the location for Transition 2. Be warned, the swim is about 6 miles away from the Auburn Overlook (T2/Finish). You'll want to have a car to get up to the Auburn Overlook. You can definitely do it by bike, but know that it will be a completely uphill climb for the 6 miles back.

All racers pass through the finish line in the middle of RUN #2, so you'll be able to cheer for them three times (T2, mid-run, finish).

Most of the rest of the course is fairly difficult to get to as a spectator.

THE EQUALIZER
One of the neat things about this Duathlon is that the participants actually compete with the Auburn Triathlon World's Toughest Half-Ironman participants. It is somewhat of an "equalizer" between duathletes and triathletes (kind of like the [Lifetime Fitness] races, but not really).

The first finisher of RUN #1 of the Duathlon is timed to finish at about the same moment as the first Auburn Triathlon participant emerges from the water. The question then becomes, who will be faster in the end? In 2007, Gordy Holterman blazed through the duathlon course in 4 hours 32 minutes and crossed the finish line just ahead of Victor Plata, US Olympian and winner of the Auburn Triathlon World's Toughest Half.

POSER AWARD
In any duathlon, there are those people who go as hard as possible to finish the first run in the lead, and then have nothing left for the rest of the race. The Auburn Duathlon has something special for these people. If the winner of the initial 3k run fails to finish in the top-10 overall, he (or she) receives a special award of a white dunce cap and a stack of temporary tatoos that say: "Poser". Don't be that guy!