USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run Presented by TOWER 26 Will Support Multisport Community Members Impacted by COVID-19

April 3, 2020

USA Triathlon Foundation launches COVID-19 Relief Fund matching program

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— USA Triathlon today announced it will host a virtual duathlon from April 10-May 17 to support members of the multisport community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run presented by TOWER 26 is free to enter and offers both a sprint- and standard-distance option, giving both beginner and experienced duathletes alike the opportunity to take part in a digital running and cycling challenge alongside peers from across the country.

By making an optional $35 donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund as part of registration, participants will receive a finisher medal and, most importantly, support race directors, coaches, club leaders and other members of the multisport community who are impacted by the crisis. Registration for the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run will open on Monday, April 6, and athletes can sign-up here.

Individuals who do not wish to participate in the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run can still make a direct donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund to support members of the multisport community affected by COVID-19. The first $20,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by USA Triathlon CEO Rocky Harris and his wife Elizabeth Harris (for the first $10,000), and a combination of the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees and the USA Triathlon Board of Directors (for the second $10,000). All donations received will be used to create a grant program to support those in the multisport community impacted by the crisis. Additional information on the grant program will be forthcoming.

“The multisport community has been deeply impacted by COVID-19, and many local race directors, coaches and club directors are not going to be able to stay in business, pay their bills and provide for their families if we don’t step in and do something now,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. “The grassroots industry professionals in our sport have supported us along our journey to reach our personal goals and now we have an opportunity to give back to the sport that has given us so much. I encourage everyone to participate in the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run and for those who have the ability to make a philanthropic donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund. Athletes now have the opportunity to support those for whom multisport is not only a passion, but also their livelihood.”

“With the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run, presented by TOWER 26, athletes can connect with the larger multisport community while social distancing, which is critical as we all do our part to flatten the curve,” said David Deschenes, USA Triathlon Foundation Executive Director. “During this uncertain time, key stakeholders in the multisport community are suddenly struggling to make a living — including race directors who have had to postpone or cancel events, coaches who are unable to retain or attract new clients, and local triathlon clubs facing membership declines. But our sport can continue to overcome through the generosity of donors nationwide. We hope that those who have the capacity to give will do so as part of their registration for the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run, or via a direct donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund.”

The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run is presented by TOWER 26, a triathlon coaching organization that provides customized training for multisport enthusiasts of all levels across the globe. TOWER 26 is pleased to provide all USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run participants with 30 days of free access to a customized training program.

Supporting partners include TrueForm and FlipBelt. One Virtual Run-Bike-Run participant will be selected at random to receive a USA Triathlon-branded TrueForm Trainer Treadmill valued at $4,995. In addition, the first 500 participants to donate to the USA Triathlon Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund as part of their registration will receive a code for a complimentary FlipBelt Classic running and fitness workout belt at flipbelt.com.

During the four-week-long event, participants will be challenged to complete the run-bike-run segments for either a sprint- or standard-distance duathlon. The sprint duathlon consists of a 5-kilometer run, 20-kilometer bike and a 2.5-kilometer run, while the standard-distance is a 10k run, 40k bike and 5k run. Athletes can complete all three segments on the same day, or complete one segment at a time over the course of several days or weeks.

Athletes can upload workouts to the Virtual Run-Bike-Run platform, powered by FitRankings, at any time over the four weeks. Run and bike workouts can be synced to the platform automatically via most GPS-enabled workout devices, smartphone apps and smartwatches — including Garmin, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Misfit, Polar, Strava, Suunto, Google Fit, RunKeeper, Apple Health and MapMyFitness. Manual uploads are also available.

Participants will be listed as finishers provided they complete their selected race distances by the end of the challenge on May 17. Workouts may be completed outdoors or indoors while observing social distancing measures and all applicable government mandates and guidelines: spin bikes and stationary bikes, bike trainers and treadmills are all acceptable.

To learn more about the USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run, click here.

The USA Duathlon Virtual Run-Bike-Run is USA Triathlon’s third virtual race, after the organization successfully hosted the world’s first entirely online swim, bike and run event — the Time to Tri Virtual Triathlon — last November, and the #DreamingSeason Time to Tri Virtual Triathlon in February. USA Triathlon plans to offer several more virtual racing opportunities throughout 2020.

To donate to the USA Triathlon Foundation, or to learn more about the foundation and the programs it supports, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.

About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

About the USA Triathlon Foundation

The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $3 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America’s youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About TOWER 26
TOWER 26 provides customized triathlon coaching to enthusiasts of all levels. With over 35 years of professional coaching experience, Gerry Rodrigues founded the entity based in Los Angeles, California.  USA Triathlon-certified coach and professional triathlete Jim Lubinski leads the triathlon coaching division. Consistently and with purpose, TOWER 26 successfully trains and prepares athletes across the globe, from beginner to professional, to “Be Race Ready”.

About FitRankings

FitRankings is connecting the world through fitness. Based in Austin, Texas, FitRankings helps people connect their fitness to experiences, brands, and causes they care about. FitRankings has built a continually evolving universal platform that connects to the latest apps and wearables. FitRankings provides organizations the technology and support to create authentic digital fitness experiences for their community.

 – usatriathlon.org –