Competitors Settle for 2 Out of 3

Duathlons and triathlons were on the rise a few years back but have been on the decline lately as cities make it tougher to mount any events involving bike racing, and sponsors pull out of national series because of the economy.

There’s good news, however, for local multisport competitors: A new series of three duathlon events gets underway Saturday in Rancho Santa Margarita.

With no swimming, duathlons are essentially triathlons for people who don’t like to get wet: a run followed by a bike ride, and finishing with a second run. The Fleet Feet Triathlete Irvine Sprint Duathlon Series (named for its running-shoe store sponsor) offers a short course that the organizers hope will attract some first-time duathletes.

The event opens with a three-kilometer run (that’s a little less than two miles), continues with a 15K bike event and closes with another 3K run on the same course. The courses for both the run and the bike ride are flat and fast, according to Terry Sedgewick, store owner and co-race director.

“The winning time will be scorching. You’re going to see some very fast people out there,” Sedgewick said. “Then you’re also going to see some people walking on the last three kilometers.”

The idea behind the event was to attract both beginners and advanced competitors.

Many people now cross-train, which means they combine more than one activity in their fitness schedule, such as running and bicycling. Cross-training works more muscle groups than concentrating on a single activity and also reduces boredom and injury.

Sedgewick wants people who cross-train for fun and exercise to try it competitively, and he hopes to do that by offering a short, fast event. “It’s doable for the weekend warrior, and it’s doable for the elite athlete,” he said. “We want to get more people involved in multisports, because they’re a blast.”

Though Sedgewick’s shop is in Irvine, he is holding the series in Rancho Santa Margarita, primarily because Irvine discourages road cycling events for liability reasons. He is undertaking the event with Alta Loma-based Esco, organizers of numerous Southern California events.

Further events in the series will be held April 17 and May 29, on the same course. Race packets for Saturday’s event can be picked up at Fleet Feet Triathlete today and Friday. Race-day registration will also be held.