With the big Beijing shadow being cast over most of the MultiSport world, not to be forgotten is the 2008 Geel ITU Long Distance Duathlon World Championships on August 10 from Geel, Belgium. More than 100 avid duathletes are on the start list in elite and age-group categories. The elites will battle for a $50,000 prize purse.

Elite men to watch:
Joerie Vansteelant (BEL) - defending world champion 2007, bronze medallist 2006
Lino Barruncho (POR) - Duathlon European Champion in 2006, 2nd at Duathlon world championships in 2004
Nicolas Lebrun (FRA) - multisport specialist, multiple medallist in winter triathlon and duathlon
Rob Woestenborghs (BEL) - 3rd at Duathlon world champs (10-40-5) in 2006
Javier Garcia (ESP) - silver medallist 2007
Koen Maris (BEL) - bronze medallist 2007, silver medallist 2006

Elite women to watch:
Catriona Morrison (GBR) - defending world champion, 2nd in 2006, Duathlon World Champion 2006
Michelle Lee (GBR) - silver medallist 2007
Miek Vyncke (BEL) - U23 World Champion in Geel in 2004

Athletes will begin with an 18-kilometer opening run (4 laps of 4.5 kilometers), then will cycle 74 kilometers (4 laps of 18.5 kilometers). They’ll finish with a 9-kilometer run (2 laps of 4.5 kilometers) before crossing the finish line. The course is flat but the bike course contains some technical corners.

In 2004, Geel was host to one of the most successful Duathlon world championships ever and another highly successful event is expected this weekend.

You can watch the event unfold live online by clicking here.

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