Duathlon Series History

The event started as a single Duathlon held on Sat. of Memorial Day weekend in May 1994. Diane Hood had qualified as a member of the U.S. National Team that competed in the World Duathlon Championships in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia in Nov. 1994. Upon trying to garner support for the trip, she found most people in the Springfield area hadn’t heard much about the sport involving running and cycling, so she decided to organize one locally. The distances were 2.5mile Run-10.5mile Bike-2.5mile Run. It was held in the current location, the park west of the Marina at Fellows Lake, and utilized a variation of the current course. The bike course was a variation of the triathlon course that already existed. The tri course had all left hand turns and went down the hill by the dam and turned at the first street after that. In order to make the course flow better, the Duathlon course was created with all Right hand turns, which meant no crossing traffic to make a turn, but also having to go UP the hill by the dam, and was extended to the current road further west. This course is the current course and is now used for the triathlon as well.

After seeing a weekday duathlon of short distances while in Australia, Diane decided it would be fun to try that concept here. So, in May 1995 the first Tuesday evening Series event was born! There were approximately 40 people who showed up with all types and styles of bikes and bodies and paid the entry fee of $10.00! Distances were kept short enough to encourage all levels of ability, yet competitive enough for seasoned athletes. The same distances exist today- 1-2miles of running and 11miles of biking around Fellows Lake. Run times averaged near 5-min. mile pace for the leaders and bike times near what they are today of 24+mph. One major change, though, is the event grew in popularity to average 120 or so people on a Tuesday night! Incredible! What started out as a casual way to introduce people to a fun activity turned into a mass family atmosphere of participation and we Loved it! There was a Kids Duathlon for several years, but mainly due to waning daylight and the increase in numbers of participants, it was dropped to accommodate the crowded course inside the park. Kids like L.J. Grisham participated, showing glimpses of unrealized talent, as he was later killed in a car accident at the age of 18. You just never know what kind of impact you’re going to have on someone’s life. He and his family impacted ours, as well as the numerous other participants over the years!

The Duathlon Series served as a way to contribute to local agencies and tornado victims over the years, providing cash and non-perishable contributions to aid the causes through the generous support of the participants in the Event! The generosity of area Sponsors such as Hogan Land Title, Rick’s Automotive, Sunshine Bike Shop, RRS, Cycles Unlimited, A&B Cycle, among others, kept the event going with prizes and Volunteers. It also brought people out who had never done anything like this before and they found a new sport to love!

Thank you so much for your support over the years! You have made the 12 years we did this event a pleasure and we’re blessed to have gotten to know you! Please continue to support us by coming to see us in our new facility for Sports Massage, Bike Fit and Coaching for Triathlon, Duathlon, and Running! Body Mechanix Athletics 6100 N. 19^th St. Ozark, MO 65721 417-827-1805 or on the web at www.BMAX.us.

Enjoy this year’s event and hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Ken and Diane Hood