Inaugural ‘Dig the Du’ duathlon set for Oct. 9

Press release here:

Multi-sport athletes, runners and mountain bikers, mark your calendars for Sunday, October 9^th, 10am, for the Inaugural “Dig the Du” race. The duathlon consists of a 2.5 mile trail run, 12 mile off-road bike and 2.5 mile trail run. The event is on private property, which has never been open to the public for an event before. The duathlon is not only a good introduction to off-road, multi-sport events but it is also a great venue for seasoned athletes. Register as an individual or part of a 2 or 3 person relay team. Expert riders may enjoy using a cyclocross bike for an extra challenge and to get ready for their cyclocross season. Both runs are on identical, beautiful single-track trails and some unmaintained forest service roads. The bike course is on challenging, unmaintained forest service roads that have a steady downhill grade on the way out and an uphill grade on the return.  

When athletes participate in this race, they are not only competing for hand-crafted awards and special ‘sprint’ prizes, but they are also helping to fund the French Broad River Academy and the Open Doors of Asheville, which supports local children and youth.

OpenDoors breaks the cycle of poverty by connecting local children with an active individualized support network and providing them with opportunities for higher level education. French Broad River Academy is a middle school for boys that use the French Broad River and its surrounding watershed for the basis of study and inquiry, the focus of conservation efforts, and a resource for recreation. The school is committed to developing academically prepared students and global citizens, strong in their community to serve, who will bring compassion and confidence into the classroom, the community, and their lives. 

The race entry fee allows access to private, undisturbed property for purposes of participating in the duathlon event. Fees are: Individual:  $40 thru September 15^th, 2011, $45 thru October 8^th, 2011 and $50 Race Day; Team Entry (2 person team): $55 thru September 15^th, 2011, $60 thru October 8^th, 2011 and $65 Race Day; Team Entry (3 person team): $80 thru September 15^th, 2011, $85 thru October 8^th, 2011 and $90 Race Day. The first 150 participants will receive a specially designed t-shirt. Additional information and printable registration forms are available online at http://www.fbriveracademy.org or www.opendoorsasheville.org. Athletes may register online at imATHLETE https://www.imathlete.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?fEID=10950. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook – “Dig the Du” and follow us on Twitter ‘digthedu’. For additional information, please email: dtd@fbriveracademy.org.