The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to announce Pontevedra, Spain has been named as the host city for the 2014 ITU Duathlon World Championships.
It will mark the second time ITU’s premier Duathlon race, which consists of a 10km run, 40km bike and 5km run, will be held in Spain. The northern city of Gijon hosted the championships in 2011. The announcement comes on the heels of Pontevedra’s seamless organization of the 2011 ETU European Triathlon Championships.
“ITU is thrilled about the return of the Duathlon World Championships to Spain. The local organising committee in Pontevedra has proven successful with their experience hosting past events. We look forward to another exciting event in the Galician city,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.
In further preparation for the coveted championships, the western coastal city will host the 2013 Spanish National Duathlon Championships, which will include Under23, age-group, and Paraduathlon races. In 2014, the Under23, junior, mixed relay, and Paraduathlon will take place as part of the ITU Duathlon World Championships. Additionally, thousands of age-group athletes from around the world will contest sprint and standard distance world championship races in Pontevedra.
Event organizers have proposed a 4-lap 10km run, followed by a 6-lap 40km bike, and ending with a 2-lap 5km course for the elite and Under23 races at the 2014 World Championships.
The 2012 ITU Duathlon World Championships will be decided in Nancy, France from 22-23 September, with the World Games in Cali, Colombia doubling as the ITU Duathlon World Championships in July 2013 for elites. The 2013 ITU Age-Group Duathlon World Championships will be held in Ottawa, Canada in August 2013.