By Allie Maupin
Carrboro Commons Writer

The morning of April 6 was cold and soggy, but the weather did not prevent more than 400 people from coming out to the Carrboro Classic Endurance Sports Festival held at McDougle Middle School.

The festival served as host to the USA Triathlon (USAT) Duathlon Regional Championships and was also selected as a World Championships Qualifier, one of only four such events in the country. Duathlons are similar to triathlons, but only involve two of the events, running and cycling.

The women’s long course dualthlon race gets off to a good start during the Carrboro Classic on Sunday, April 6.
Staff photo by Allie Maupin

“A lot of people here want a chance for the national team,” said Joan Hartis, a race course volunteer and Carrboro resident.

The Carrboro Classic is comprised of three events: a short-course duathlon, long-course duathlon and an 8-kilometer (5-mile) run. The long-course race was both the Regional Championship and Team USA qualifying event.

The top two finishers in each age group from the long-course competition are offered slots on Team USA.

The top runners from the women’s long course were Cari Soleo, of Cary, with a time of 3: 06 minutes, and Sonia Davis, from Chapel Hill, at 3:08.

Josh Beck, of Carlisle, Pa., won the men’s long-course race, clocking in at 2:18. He was followed by William Haas, from Greenville, at 2:22.

“This is such a great opportunity for serious runners,” said Tara Cristian, a long-course entrant from Alexandria, Va. “Team USA is a real honor.”

Members of Team USA will compete in the International Triathlon Union’s world championships. The long-course duathlon event will be held on Aug. 10, 2008, in Geel, Belgium.

Steve Lackey, founder of the Carrboro Classic and publisher of Endurance Magazine, is not surprised the Carrboro Classic was picked for the USAT regional championship.

“It’s simply one of the best courses in the state,” Lackey said. “The scenery pushes you toward that finish line.”

Long-course participants first completed an 8-km (5-mile) run, then a 53-km (32-mile) bike ride and a 8-km run to the finish line.

Racers make the transition to the bike phase of the Carrboro Classic duathlon events.
Staff photo by Allie Maupin

Despite its national status, the Carrboro Classic is still a local event in many ways.

“A lot of the people out here do this as a hobby,” Hartis said. “This isn’t just an event for serious athletes.”

The event had many local sponsors, including Open Eye Cafe, The Bicycle Chain and Fleet Feet Sports. The Carrboro Farmers’ Market and Sari Sari Sweets set up booths selling fresh vegetables and snacks.

Funds from the race will benefit Habitat for Humanity and Swim for Smiles, a charity that raises money for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital through fitness events.

“Events like this bring the community together,” Hartis said. “It takes a lot of cooperation to put this thing on, but in the end, it’s really fun and for a good cause.”