Years run: 2012-2015 (x4, all at Olympic distance)

> RACE ACCOLADES:
- USAT Sanctioned
- Part of USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Region Duathlon Series
- Part of USA Duathlon National Race Series
- Multiple years serving as the USAT Duathlon Mid-Atlantic Championship
- DUthe2 Challenge (complete Sprint and Olympic Distance in one weekend)

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> COURSE

The course distance for the Olympic Duathlon is 2-mile run, 26-mile bike (13-mile loop x2), and 4-mile run (first 2-mile loop x2). The Sprint Distance is 2-mile run, 13-mile bike, and 2-mile run. The course is composed of loops from a large grassy transition area. Bike racks are standard seen at most multisport events. The transition area includes bike tech, water, and medical.

The following course review is for the Olympic Distance, although the Sprint follows the same (shortened) terrain. The first run is a 2-mile loop starting with a long downhill on a road, curving through a city park on mixed use trail, and returning by way of a rolling road with multiple inclines and declines. The bike course is two rounds of a 13-mile loop which is listed on the website as "moderate to aggressive" hills. The bike course is open road but riders need to stay aware for multiple sharp turns at speed and rolling hills for challenge. Though stronger competitors can generally stay on the same chain ring through the course, the inclines can be punishing if you're not properly trained and the rolling nature of the course means hills come frequently. The bike course scenery is farming communities, which makes for some nice tree-lined shade at times and long stretches of crops in others. Minimal road traffic. The second run course is the same as the first, although it is reverse direction; it is composed of two loops of two miles, with rolling hills at the start, a city park in the middle, and a long incline at the end of the loop.

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> RACE DAY EXPERIENCE

There is no expo. The Rip It team usually sets up the day prior to the races for advanced bib pick-up, although most is done on site the morning of the race. The transition area is well maintained, and race volunteers are on hand for quick check-in, marking, etc. The run loops are on closed roads and asphalt trails; the bike loops are on an open road with volunteers at each turn. Additionally, police officers and cruisers are at major intersections and road crossings for safety and to stop/slow traffic as needed. Crowd support is sparse and generally limited to families of racers and only at the transition area. Spectators can view competitors at the start/end of run 1, start/middle/end of bike loop, and start/middle/end of run 2).

Aid stations are available in the transition area, the halfway point of the first run, and at each mile of the second run. There are no aid stations on the bike course; competitors must carry their own water and nutrition for the July heat. The bike course does have some roaming marshals and a bike tech van for emergencies or to assist with mechanicals.

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> SWAG

All competitors receive a short-sleeved shirt and grab bag with a few coupons/advertisements for local races and events. All finishers receive an event-specific medal on a Rip It ribbon. Age group awards are generic medals with plaque on back denoting award (example: "30-35 Age Group; 1st Place"); awards are three-deep by age group.