Multisport Events
Stroud & District Athletic Club has quite a large number of members who compete at all levels in most types of multisport event. These are summarised below;
Duathlons
Duathlons usually consisting of a Run / Bike / Run sequence, with these events being timed continually, i.e. the clock stops when you finish the last run - you do not have half an hour to change your shirt or tidy your hair between disciplines!Distances vary, but are usually around Run 2m, Bike 10m and are held on both on and off-road. The nearest on-road event is at the CastleCombe race circuit, which has a summer series taking place on the first Thursday each month from May to September.It's worth noting that the July event is called the MONSTER, as it consists of Run2 / Bike10 / Run2 / Bike10 / Run2. The club would advise doing the standard event first! For more information click here.
The nearest off-road duathlon is held twice each winter in November and February in Cirencester Park by the Polo Ground. This event is set at two distances 1m / 5m / 1m to suit beginners and juniors and 2m / 10m / 2m to suit others and over 17's. If you enjoy off-road running and mountain biking you should try this event - it is good fun for all levels of competition. Click here for more info.
Triathlons
Triathlons always consist of Swim / Bike / Run, although these events vary hugely in distance, from 400m / 20k / 5k to a full Ironman (2.4m / 112m /26.2m ). Again continually timed, it's worth trying a short distance event before something like an Olympic or Ironman/Half Ironman.Events with a swim under 1000m are usually indoor swims, with longer ones outdoor. Check the details before entering as outdoor swimming is much harder than indoor and needs some experience!The sprint distance events are ideal for beginners and there are always some pretty slow athletes just having a go, so don't be put off if you think you're not fast enough. These short events are great fun and pass by very quickly as you have to concentrate on each discipline and the transitions between.
Local events include Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Bath, Malmesbury, Faringdon and Westonbirt. More more information, click here.
Adventure Racing
This title is used for a wide variety and distance of event, with timescale being the parameter rather than distance. There is always a mixture of running / cycling / canoeing involved, with the more serious events adding climbing and other specialist sports, usually at great expense.
The one day events are often a combination of orienteering on foot and mountain biking for around 5 / 6 hours, with the weekend events adding canoeing and running races in various guises, with 'challenges'. If you can map read, run and cycle these are great fun, and the canoeing is usually fairly simple and mainly in two-person inflatable's. You can usually enter as an individual, a pair or team of 3. See www.endurancelife.co.uk, www.aceraces.co.uk or www.questars.co.uk for more info.
Ultra Distance Events
Not really multisport, except when the distance gets beyond the standard marathon. Most people find they have to introduce walking into the event just to make sure they finish! These events vary greatly in distance with some around the 30 mile / 50 km range, through to events of over 100 miles, with all distances between.
Obviously, it is wise to tackle a marathon before you try to go further but it's worth remembering that it's a different game plan if you're doing 40 miles. You will need to eat some form of energy food and ensure you drink enough, so a run / walk strategy needs to be made before you start otherwise you could end up finishing a gibbering wreck at 30 miles. The good news is that most ultras are off-road for safety reason, so your legs don't suffer as much as on tarmac, not to mention the course being more interesting.
Further Information
If you are interested in these or any other seemingly crazy activities like quadrathlons, mountain challenges and long distance bike rides, speak to Phil Manning on 01453 834040, or send an e-mail by clicking here.