Flying Pigs duathlon to take flight in Washington Sept. 7

WASHINGTON - Runners and bikers will take flight for the ninth annual Flying Pigs Duathalon in Washington on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The race, which begins at 8 a.m., consists of a 5k run, a 20-mile bike ride and wraps up with a half mile run. The idea was thought up by Teri Hartzler, branch director of the YMCA of Washington County.

She said a triathlon, where participants run, swim and bike, was not feasible because of the lack of swimming facilities for a group that size. Instead, she came up with the idea to do a duathlon and named it for what Washington County is best known for: pork.

'We just thought flying pigs was a fun idea to represent the pork area,” she said.

The race can be accomplished by an individual or in teams of two. One person can run while the other bikes and the only requirements are that they wear a helmet and are at least 13 years old. The event draws in about 70-80 people from southeast Iowa every year.

'It's fun to watch the ones that do all of it because there are certain people that excel at the running part and then maybe get on their bike and drop back several spots because that's not their strong suit, but then they'll come back on the run. So it's fun to see how people maneuver around,” she said.

The course takes people all over Washington and into West Chester as well, giving people a true self-guided tour through Washington and the northern part of the county.

'They'll start running and then come back around the loop, come back to this area to transition, or if they have a partner they would jump on their bike at that time, and then that route would go out of here as well,” she said.

For those who have never participated and are thinking about it, Hartzler encourages them to try because it's a new, challenging experience they can only do in Washington.

'It's not long distances, the running or the biking for the people who do one or the other. It's just a challenge to transition from one thing to the next, so it's just a fun way to challenge yourself,” she said.

Various roads in Washington will be temporarily closed for the duration of the run and should be unblocked by noon. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, and interested parties can sign up the day of the race or online at: www.trisignup.com/Race/IA/Washington/FlyingPigsDuathlon. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Washington YMCA at: 319-653-2141.