2012 Texas Winter Duathlons

It may be getting way too cold to swim, but that doesn't mean the off-season has started. It's never too cold to bike and run in Texas, so the winter season is duathlon season! Texas offers a lot of fun events, all of them low-key and interesting. Have you ever started a duathlon inside of a cave? Or braved a hellish bike course personally designed by the one and only Adam Stroobandt of ATC? If we've caught your interest, get your running shoes out and pick some races from this list of upcoming Texas duathlons:

November 24 - Poultry In Motion, Waco, $50
5k run, 9 mile bike, 2 mile trail run

Organized by the Waco Striders Running Club, this duathlon takes place along the Brazos River in Waco. The first run is 5k along the paved river walk, followed by a short 9 mile bike, and then a 2 mile trail run along the river. A separate 5k and kids' duathlon are offered with family discounts, so you can bring the whole group!

December 2 - Du Boerne, Boerne, $50
5k run, 25k bike, 5k run

This low-key duathlon is just north of San Antonio. Transition is located at the Boerne City Lake Park, with a 5k run on paved roads. The 25k bike has some nice elevation changes on low-traffic roads. If you've done the Small Texan Triathlon, you'll notice this race shares the early part of the bike course.

December 8 - Hel of a Du, Helotes, $55
3.5 mile run, 26 mile bike, 3.5 mile run

Now for a tough one! Hel of a Du adds a little bit of extra distance with the 3.5 mile runs, and a LOT of pain with the 26 mile bike, which features a long climb in the middle. This race was started by ATC's own Adam Stroobandt and is now put on by other friendly folk from Soler Sports in Helotes, Texas. The 2011 race featured cool prizes like locally produced wine bottles.

December 9 - Natural Bridge Caverns Duathlon, New Braunfels
Various Distances

If Hel of a Du didn't tire you out, you can race the very next day at Natural Bridge Caverns. This race features a unique time trial start inside of a cave. You run your way up and out of the cave and then along a trail. The bike course features some decent elevation gain as you head back for your second trail run. Various distances are offered, from pleasantly short to gruelingly long. The hardest category, T-Rex, also adds a super steep segment to the first run.

Natural Bridge Races Offered:
Cave Bear: 2 mile run, 15.5 mile bike, 2 mile run
Sabertooth: 2 mile run, 12 mile mountain bike, 2 mile run
Woolly Mammoth: 5k run, 26 mile bike, 5k run
T-REX: 5 mile run, 26 mile bike, 2 mile run

If you know of other Texas duathlons not on the list, let us know in the comments!