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!

Upcoming Winter Events

Temperatures are routinely below 80 degrees, it's dark by 6pm, and the next Driveway Series crit is more than 100 days away...we've officially entered the "off season." For some athletes, it's a period of welcome, extended hibernation. Others desperately take up new pursuits in an effort to assuage their grief. But before you go pro at channel-surfing and needlepoint, add a little multi-sport excitement to your winter calendar:

Nov 20, Sunday - Natural Bridge Caverns Duathlon - North of San Antonio

The "world's first cave duathlon," featuring a run that starts 180 feet below the surface inside Natural Bridge Caverns, this event is in its second year. A variety of race distances are offered, as well as off-road and on-road categories:

1. Cave Bear: 2-mile run/15-mile bike/2-mile run
2. Sabertooth: 2-mile run/12-mile OFF-Road bike/2-mile run
3. Woolly Mammoth: 5k run/26-mile bike/5k run
4. T-REX: 5-mile run/26-mile bike/2-mile run ( Very challenging 1st run)

Redemption Race Productions hosts fun, laid-back events and provides great food and unique trophies (for this race, geodes!). Participants also receive a complimentary cave tour with registration.

Nov 19-20, Sat-Sun - Dirty Du - Rocky Hill Ranch near Smithville

You'll need your mountain bike for this one! The original Dirty Du is a 5k trail run/12-mile mountain bike/5k trail run. The run is off-road and technical, with lots of rocks and hills, and the bike course is 80% single track and 20% Jeep track. Win cash prizes if you can beat the course records, currently held by the likes of Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis.

Nov 26, Saturday - Poultry-N-Motion 5k & Duathlon - Waco Tx

This inaugural event, billed as the perfect opportunity to "work off your Thanksgiving Day bird," is a 5k run/9-mile bike/2-mile trail run. There's an option to do just the 5k run, as well. The post-race party will include music, food, and awards.

Dec 10, Saturday - Hell of a Du - Helotes, TX

Sick of being run down? Maybe this is your chance to lurch across the line still in the lead! This is a race for the uber-bikers. The race starts and ends with a 3.5-mile run, but in between is a 26-mile bike course featuring a 7-mile climb. Participants can enter age-group categories or the elite wave, which is eligible for prize money.

Dec 18, Sunday - Du Boerne in December - Boerne, TX

Only 30-40 minutes northwest of San Antonio, this event starts in Boerne City Park. The race is a 5k run/25k bike/5k run with a cross-country run course and a low-traffic bike course.

Nov 26, Saturday - The Austin Beer Mile - Circle C Park

Yes, it's still multi-sport - running and chugging! This is an unorganized, free event. Bring your own beer! Donations will be accepted for a family friend with MS.

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Cycling Events

Nov 12 - Tour Das Hugel - Austin, TX

100+ miles of Austin's toughest hills, including over 10,000 feet of climbing... If that's not enough to convince you, read more about why you should not attempt this ride.

Nov 26, Dec 10, Jan 14 - Winter Crits- Fort Worth, Tx

Sponsored and promoted by The Racing Post, this crit course is 0.6 miles and wide, safe, flat, and fast. Lots of categories, $20 entry fees, and cash awards 5 places deep in ALL categories.

If you'd like to suggest other Nov/Dec multi-sport events to add to our calendar, email us at info@austintricyclist.com