MOUNT GREENWOOD — Opportunities for outdoor exercise have been rare this winter. With few breaks in the frigid weather and mounds of snow everywhere, the treadmill and stationary bicycle are often the only option for workout junkies.
Saint Xavier University has turned these indoor exercises into a competition. SXU will host an indoor duathlon from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday on its main campus in Mount Greenwood.
Participants will run for 15 minutes on the Shannon Center's indoor track. After a five-minute break, the action shifts to a 15-minute sprint on a stationary bike. After another short break, it's back on the track for the final 15-minute dash around the track. The winner is the competitor who covers the most ground.
"Some people do [the duathlon] competitively. Others just want a good workout," said Jennifer Quinlan, facilities manager for the Shannon Center, 3700 W. 103rd St.
She compares the duathlon to a triathlon — only without the swimming or fixed distances.
"It's just a run, bike, run" said Quinlan, of Garfield Ridge.
Participants are charged $25 to compete in the duathlon, which includes a T-shirt, refreshments, medals for the top three finishers and child care for parents participating in the race. Discounts are available to SXU students, alumni and employees.
Student workers count laps around the 1/8-mile track as well as cheer on the runners.
Time slots fill up quickly, particularly in the morning. A fresh group of five competitors begins the duathlon every 20 minutes. But the event has never sold out in its nine-year history, Quinlan said.
The top finishers typically average six miles on the stationary bike and run at about a five-minute per mile pace. And for those simply looking for good workout, pushing yourself for the full 45 minutes of the duathlon will surely make your muscles burn, Quinlan said.
"If you are going hard, oh my god!" she said.
