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We are very proud to be the event management company chosen to host the 3rd Annual Grosse Ile Duathlon. There is rich and proud history with this event back in day with Gene Edwards introducingit to the downriver community. Attracting some of the best duathletes in the midwest and Canada. At one time getting several of Team USA's duathletes as well as Canda's elite to battle it out on those cold April dates. The event has switched sides of the island to great location utilizing the Grosse Ile Airport facilities, a perfect venue. This is a great destination for a duathlon, racing around the island 25k on the bike and running on the closed runway of the airport. This event is part of the new Michigan Duathlon Series and Club Challenge.Proceeds fromthis event will go to the Naval Memorial fund. There will be other festivities going on after the race with world war 2 planes.
Distances: 5k run, 25k bike, 5k run
Date/location: Saturday May 22 - 8:00am, Grosse Ile airport,Grosse Ile,Michigan.
Regardless if you are crossing the Free bridge or the pay bridge you will proceed to the ariport at the south end of the island. Following Meridian, the main road down the middle of the island you will dead end at the airport.
Venue/Area Information: Grosse Ile is an island at the south end of the Detroit River and north end of Lake Erie. With Canada on one side and Trenton or Riverview on the other depending on what end of the island you are on. It has been the home to the Grosse Ile duathlon in some form since the early 90's. Originally hosted by Mr. Gene Edwards on the opposite side of the island it now finds its home at a great venue in the airport.
Course: The run course is basically the same just an official 5k now. Super flat, fast and closed actually on the airport property, no worries from cars as it is all enclosed on the grounds. The bike course is what this event is all about circling the island on a semi rolling course with views of the river on both sides. A few short, small hills that will keep everyone honest out there but certainly nothing that requires you to get out of the saddle or anything like that.
Race Tips: Well I will speak from racing the old course and training around the island for many years back in my racing days. The run course is going to flat and fast, so really the only tip here is if there is going to be wind, or weather try to get behind someone. There is not much if any cover on the run course as it is all on the grounds of the airport, some off road, not much but it is a cut security trail so nothing that will slow you down. But if someone is running slightly faster than you why do you want to fight the elements? Let them do it, someone has to right? So after you flew through your first 5k you jump on the bike and head out of the airport. You can absolutely fly around the island regardless if it is windy or not, it is just one of those courses that lends itself to stellar times on the bike. I can almost guarantee you that on one side you will have a tail wind and on the other a head wind. You must take full advantage of the tail wind and put the hammer down the entire time. I would recommend arriving 30 minutes early and drive around the island really quick, just to get a feel for the rollers. They are nothing to get excited about but if you are good at keeping your rhythm and cadence while staying aero you will be able to fly over them without missing a beat. The key to the winds on Grosse Ile is staying tucked and tight because they kind of whistly down the corridor of the road. If you find yourself losing it get out of the saddle for 10-15 strokes and throw the bike side to side to get that feel back again. There also will be a stretch of smoother road on the east side so take advantage of that as well. It is May, weather can be an issue in Michigan in May as we all know, but it is May, plenty of racing ahead of you so don't be stupid if it is slick, but at the same token if it is not you can really go for it on this course. The final run you should feel it big time for the first 800m to a mile, but it is flat so lengthen the stride a bit and get the lactic acid out as quick as possible.
Packet Pickup/Registration: Day of Packet Pickup and Registration Saturday6:00 am - 7:30am ONLY under thewhite tents. Do not arrive late. Registration will close.
USAT: A $10 one day license fee will be collected AT Registration for all NON USAT members. This was not included in your entry fee and must be paid to USAT, not event management. If pre registered please have a check or cash ready.
(remember the USAT age up rule, meaning you will race at the age you will be at the end of the year)
| January 31, 2010 | $40 |
| $50 | |
| After May 1, 2010 | $60 |
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$90 person relay |
| On site registration add $10 | |
| Non USAT members must pay $10 onsite at registration. $10 goes directly to USAT! | |
| ***You must be pre registered 14 days in advance to guarantee a shirt. | |
| Online registration closes Thursday 12:00am | |
Parking: Follow signs and support crew when you arrive at the airport. Parking will be at the township parking lot.
Accomodations: Comfort Suites Southgate reservation system and when making reservations guests can refer to the following:
MultiSport 101: No Multi-Sport 101 for this event. H20 Overdrive is our official Multi-Sport 101 partner. You want something that works without all the hype this is it folks. You are going to spend money on hydration drinks you should spend it on something that not only works but is great for the body!!
Transition Area: Click here for map
will be located inside the closed air field. It will open at 6am and not before. It will close at 7:45am, wNo Friends or Family members allowed in the transition area for any reason.The race director and race officials will close the transition area 30-45 minutes before race start to ensure all athletes are at starting lines for mandatory course meetings and announcements. Once the transition area is closed you will not be permitted back in before the race starts. Family members will not be premitted in for any reason. In the event of inclement weather it is recommended you have warm, dry clothing outside the transition area to put on following your finish due to other athletes still being on the bike course. Thank you for your cooperation in following these rules. ***You must rack according to your race number based on sequence placed at end of row. Please remember racks will hold 7 bikes racking with seat tip on support bar. Please be courteous to fellow athletes to ensure there is space for 7. Any athletes removing gear from transition areas before the announcer or race director has officially opened the transition area will be DISQUALIFIED from the race! No questions asked, your race number will be taken down and you will be disqualified. The transitionarea is closed until all athletes are off the bike course. Sprint athletes this goes for you as well, you must wait until all the athletes are off the course and race officials open the transition area. All athletes deserve a clear transition. There will be an aid station at the run in/out chute with water and electrolyte replacement. Athletes wearing their own chips, PLEASE remove your chips before re-entering the transition area and exiting again. This can cause a timing error. Run in/out and Bike in/out chutes are clearly marked on the large structures at either end, it is your responsibility to go the right direction.
Run 1 & 2: 5k Click here for course map
The run course is basically the same as past years, flat, fast mostly on the airport run ways and service roads. there are a few short sections on security roads around the airport but it is vehicle free. Aid station at mile 1 & 2 with electrolyte replacement and water.
Bike 25k: Click here for course map
The bike course is unchanged from years past, you will simply make one complete circle of the island on the exterior roads. This is a fast but somewhat rolling course. Nothing that requires you getting out of the saddle but it is not flat. Police and support crew will be at intersections, please make sure they wave you through before proceeding. A support crew or police cannot stop a speeding car so you must use caution at all times,again this is an open course. ***Remember this is an open course! You will be sharing the road with vehicular traffic. Use caution at all times. It will be your responsibility to print maps, and know the courses. It is the athlete's responsibility to know and understand the courses. Helmets are a must. No helmet - no race. MP3 players on the bike course are an automatic disqualification. Due to a few athletes actions in the past during an event we are making you aware not only in this event but ALL events whether hosted by us or any other event management company YOU MUST OBEY ALL OFFICIALS and EMERGENCY VEHICLES on the course AT ALL TIMES!! The bottom line here is your race is not more important than an EMERGENCY or OFFICIAL on the course. In the event of an emergency you MUST obey officials requests, and you MUST STOP and pull off the road for any and all EMERGENCY VEHICLES to get by. This is not only to ensure the emergency vehicles can proceed, it is for your safety as well. Any athlete that does not adhere to this rule will be disqualified and will not race in a 3 d event for the rest of the year. This to us is common sense and should not have ever came to this point.
Amenities: A great post race snack table provided by the folks from NAS and the airport, as well as the awards.
Special Thanks: City of Grosse Ile, Grosse Ile Air Port, Grosse Ile Police Department, Al Petri Bicycles, Hammer Nutrition,
Sponsors: 
Proceeds: Benefit the Naval Air Station Memorial Fund.
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Rules: Event management reserves the right to post pone, change format, or cancel the event at any time if the safety of athletes, staff, support crew, and officials is or could be in jeopardy. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON!!! Event management is NOT responsible for late arrivals, athletes not finding a venue, etc. Late arrivals will NOT be issued a chip and strap and you will not be allowed in the transition area once it is closed. Again, there will be no refunds for any reason. If an event has mandatory bike check in you must check in your bike during the alotted check in times. Failure to do so will mean you are not going to race and again no refunds will be given. These rules are in place for a reason and deviation of them is not fair to the hundreds of athletes that follow the rules. Profanities on the course, directed at support crew, staff, or fellow athletes will not be tolerated and will result in an Automatic Disqualification and could result in further suspension. If you are caught throwing trash on the course you will receive a 5 minute penalty for the first offense and the second will be a disqualfication. There are garbage bins everywhere, use them. Kids 17 and under may not compete in half ironman distance events. Kids must be 10 yrs. of age to compete in adult sprint events. The race director will have final say for anyone racing at any event. Athletes experience will be considered in a personal interview with the race director on site if a question of ability to safely finish is at stake. Failure to comply will result in a change of event or disqualification if there is an un-willingness on an athletes part. Safety will NOT be compromised under any circumstances. A lost chip will be billed directly to the athlete for a $40 fee and may result in no times for event.