THE award-winning Durty Events team is gearing up for the opening event of its Winter Duathlon Series, being staged for the first time at Bowhill House and Country Estate, Selkirk, this weekend.
Featuring mountain biking and trail running, a total of three events will be staged – Sunday (December 2), January 27, 2013 and February 24 – each course progressively longer and more challenging than the other.
The Bowhill Winter Duathlon Series is in its 11th year and always attracts an enthusiastic band of competitors keen to take part in one of the fastest-growing mass participation multi-sports in the UK.
Organiser Durty Events is keen to stress that all three duathlon events are open to anyone, from novices just wanting to have a go at an achievable challenge while keeping fit, to elite athletes looking for some winter training in a fun and relaxed environment.
Rory Downie, the current Scottish and European Under-23 Cross Triathlon champion, who has signed up for the Bowhill Winter Duathlon Series, said: “The Bowhill Duathlon Series is sure to be a cracker.
“I’ve been to loads of Durty Events and never been let down. The Winter Duathlons are perfect winter training in a friendly laid--back environment and a great introduction to off-road racing; it’s how I started.”
For the first duathlon in the series this Sunday, the 150 competitors will complete a mountain bike ride on mainly blue-graded trails, followed by a trail run.
The elite athletes are expected to finish in 40 minutes (20 minutes for each discipline), with the slower competitors averaging 60 to 70 minutes.
Paul McGreal, from Selkirk-based Durty Events, said: “This is the first time we’ve used Bowhill for our Winter Duathlon Series and we can promise all those taking part an achievable challenge on some terrific forest track.
“It’s going to be an adventurous but achievable and fun day out for all of our 150 athletes.”
Entries are still open for Sunday’s event for both solo athletes and teams of two.
For more information and entry details go to – http://www.durtyevents.com