How Far Do You Bike In A Duathlon?

Duathlon is a two-discipline multisport race that usually follows the format of run-bike-second run. Duathlon is not the same as the biathlon, the official Winter Olympics sport that combines skiing and shooting. The distance an athlete is required to run during the first and third legs of a duathlon will vary, as will the distance an athlete is required to cover on a bicycle. Duathlon is not an Olympic sport, although national and international championships are held.

Multisports

Along with duathlon, other multisport events include the triathlon -- swim-bike-run; aquathlon -- run-swim; off-road triathlon -- swim-bike-run at an off-road venue; winter triathlon -- a run-mountain bike-cross-country ski race that takes place on a snow-covered surface; and aquabike -- a swim-bike event suited for injured athletes who are no longer able to run.

USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon has been the national governing body for triathlon in the United States since 1982. The organization's website states that triathlon, as well as other multisport events including the duathlon, is one of the fastest growing sports around the globe. USA Triathlon sanctions 3,500 races per year and supports elite athletes who compete at international events such as the Summer Olympics.

Duathlon

Although duathlon has been a sanctioned multisport almost as long as triathlon, it has only recently begun to gain in popularity. Most elite multisport athletes focus on triathlon, but those who dislike the swimming leg of triathlon prefer duathlon's run-bike-run format. Typically, duathlons take place in combination with triathlons, but if the sport continues to grow, it might become a common standalone event.

Duathlon Distances

USA Triathlon's 2011 Duathlon National Championship race took the format of a 3.1-mile run, followed by a 21.7-mile bike and wound up with another or 3.1-mile run. Another USA Triathlon-sanctioned race, the "2011 On-Road Duathlon," used the same distances. USA Triathlon's 2011 Long Course Duathlon National Championships incorporated longer distances of a 6.2-mile run, 15.5-mile bike and another 6.2-mile run. The Powerman Alabama Duathlon used the same 6.2-mile, 15.5-mile, 6.3-mile format.

Duathlon For All Ages

The Powerman Alabama Duathlon simultaneously hosted a PowerKids Duathlon that used distances more suitable for kids from ages 3 to 12 years. The run-bike-run distances for 3- and 4-year-old kids was 50 feet-500 feet-50 feet. Ages 5 to 6 took part in a 1/8 mile-1/2 mile-1/8 mile duathlon, and ages 7 to 8 ran 1/4-mile distances and biked 0.85 mile. Children 9 to 12 years covered a half mile during both running legs, and 9- and 10-year-olds completed two laps on their bikes and 11- and 12-year-olds biked three laps.