Apple Duathlon has been drawing local and world-class competitors to Sartell, Minnesota, since 1983. Held in May, the multi-sport event includes a long-course and a short-course duathlon (run-bike-run). A long-time national favorite, Apple Duathlon welcomes participants of all abilities and is one of only a handful of remaining duathlons in the United States.
Apple Duathlon
Olympic and sprint duathlon
May 20, 2023
Sartell, MN
6:00-8:00am
May 20, 2023
Riverview Intermediate School
627 3rd Avenue North, Sartell, MN
Note: event details subject to change. Please check back before the event.
Each participant will receive the 2023 Apple Duathlon t-shirt. Finisher t-shirt design will be revealed soon!
Active Central MN works with key sponsors and contributors to come up with a variety of great giveaways for participants present during the award ceremony on race day. Previous door prizes included bikes, kayaks, excursions, race entries and athletic gear.
6:00-8:00am
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Riverview Intermediate School
627 3rd Avenue North, Sartell, MN
Packets include bib numbers, timing chips, and event t-shirts.
Participants will receive a colored wristband to designate their race distance. Only participants with a wristband will be allowed in the transition area and participant food tent.
Note for relay teams: Team captains must pick up packets for relay team members. Relay teams will only have one bib; thus, the relay team member that is crossing the finish line should be the one wearing the bib.
6:00 a.m. – Packet pick-up opens
6:30 a.m. – Transition area opens
8:15 a.m. – Transition area closes
8:15 a.m. – Racer meeting and national anthem
8:30 a.m. – Olympic/long-course race starts
8:36 a.m. – Sprint/short-course race starts
10:30 a.m. – Transition area opens for equipment removal
11:00 a.m. – Awards ceremony
The 5K run route for the first and third legs of each duathlon starts and finishes at Riverview Intermediate School (627 3rd Ave. N., Sartell, MN 56377). The course is a 3.1-mile loop marked with yellow paint on the course. There will be a large cone with an arrow at every turn to direct runners. From the intermediate school, participants will run west on 7th St. N, turn left onto Pine Cone Rd. N./57th Ave., turn left onto 345th St. N., which turns into 2 1/2 St. N., then follow course markers to 2nd Ave. S., make a left turn onto 7th St. N. and a final left turn back at the intermediate school.
The 33k bike starts at Riverview Intermediate School, continues through the rolling hills of St. Stephen, MN, and then returns on flat and fast roads along the Mississippi River. See the route map for more details.
The 15.5k bike starts at Riverview Intermediate School, heads north on Pine Cone Rd. N. then cuts over to Great River Rd. and follows the Mississippi river back to the intermediate school. See the route map for more details
Event partner GetMeRegistered.com provides secure, online registration for Apple Duathlon and all Active Central MN events.
Participants are responsible for body marking. Using a permanent black marker, the participant’s bib number needs to be written on the participant’s upper arms and calves. If the participant is given a heat/wave number, it should be written on the participant’s left hand.
For relay teams, timing chips should be exchanged between runners and bikers in the Transition Area. The bike must be on the rack during the chip exchange. There will not be a designated area for relay teams in the Transition Area — teams are free to select any area that is available.
The transition area opens at 6:30 a.m. Only participants wearing a wristband, which can be acquired at registration/packet pickup, may enter the Transition Area (sorry, no exceptions). The transition area closes at 8:15am.
We ask that participants step outside of the Transition Area after setting up their bike.
Please be aware of the timing chutes and chip mats! Do not cross over these mats or go near them with race chips while in the middle of a race.
The transition area opens at 10:30 a.m. for participants to gather their gear.
Heat 1: Long course participants, ages 49 and under, start at 8:30 a.m.
Heat 2: Long course participants, ages 50 and over/Athena/Clydesdale/Relay start at 8:33 a.m.
Heat 3: Short-course participants start at 8:36 a.m.
Participants are to mount/dismount their bike in the designated areas outside of the transition area.
It is critical for bikers to stay to the far right and NOT ride two or more abreast at any time, except when passing.
Drafting is prohibited.
The first 4 miles of the bike course are closed to traffic. The course includes two roundabouts. Be aware that between the first and second roundabout there are two manhole covers, which will be marked by yellow paint.
At about the 4-mile mark, long-course bikers will turn left off of Pine Cone Rd onto 40th Street North (marked by white arrows) and short-course bikers will go straight (marked by yellow arrows). There will also be two large signs visible for the bikers to guide them at this intersection.
After Mile 4, the remainder of the bike course is an open course, meaning that participants must share the roadway with vehicle traffic.
Every turn will have: 1) A large upright arrow indicating the direction of the turn. 2) Arrows painted on the road surface to indicate the turn. 3) Orange safety cones to follow.
Participants are responsible for their own safety and bike at their own risk.
There will be ample room along the course for safe passing. Be sure to safely move away from other participants to provide space during passing.
Before passing anyone, racers should make sure to loudly yell to the person they are passing, “passing on your left!”
There will not be a mechanic available. A few basic bike tools will be located in the transition area by the water table.
There will be support on the course to transport stragglers back to the Transition Area. Participants should recognize that the sag wagon may not be able to reach everyone promptly, depending on the number of bicyclists needing assistance. Please be patient, as our sag support crew gets to participants as soon as they can.
The sag wagon cannot provide bike repairs support. The wagon will transport those racers needing repairs back to the transition area.
Participants are encouraged to grab a water bottle and quickly leave the finish line area. The transition area opens at 10:30am for participants to gather their gear.
Please be respectful of others racing when inside of the transition area. Participants should do their best to get out of the transition area as quickly as possible to limit the number of individuals inside of the transition area at one time.
Stick around for our award ceremony!
Restrooms available for use are located inside of Riverview Intermediate School.
There will water in the transition area, and there will be water/Powerade stands at three locations on the run course: outside of the Transition Area, at Mile 1, and at Mile 2. There will not be a water station on the bike course.
We will have trash and recycling bins along the route. Please try to discard water cups and other trash into the recycling bin. Our volunteers will assist in clean up.
To ensure all participants can enjoy food and refreshments, only registered participants with a wristband will be served at the food tent. Spectators are encouraged to bring off-site food with them to the event.
Duathlon is a rain or shine sport, and the race will not be rescheduled due to inclement weather. In the event of severe weather, all attempts will be made to delay the race rather than cancel any portion of it.
Although we cannot predict the weather, we can provide some historical weather averages for the area on the date of the race. In Sartell, on May 20, average temperatures include a high of 76°F and a low of 54°F and record temperatures include a high of 95°F and low of 40°F.
Note that weather conditions can change rapidly. We recommend participants prepare for both best- and worst-case scenarios when selecting clothing for the race.
Any weather-related delays will be reported on the Active Central MN Facebook page in the event they occur.
For medical assistance on race day, staff from William’s Integracare will be located near the finish line.
For those who have additional questions or need assistance prior to race day, please contact us at heather.corcoran@activecentralmn.org.
Riverview Intermediate School
627 3rd Avenue North
Sartell, MN 56377
Parking is available in front of or behind Riverview Intermediate School.
Please do not park on 7th Street or in the shopping mall parking lot located across from the school. Note that cars parked in the Riverview Intermediate School parking lot will not be able to leave until after 11 a.m.
Nearby hotels include AmericInn by Wyndham Sartell (119 Lesauk Drive, Sartell, MN 56377) and the Hampton Inn & Suites St. Cloud, MN (145 37th Avenue North, St. Cloud, MN 56303) among many others.
Nearby restaurants include Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill (1101 2nd Street South, Sartell, MN 56377) and Great River Bowl and Partners Pub (208 2nd Street South, Sartell, MN 56377) among many others.
Spectators are welcome at this event. You may park in regular participant parking. Dogs are welcome but must remain leashed. Please stay off the course during the event. Spectators are not allowed in the Transition Area. Outside food and coolers are welcome; food and beverages at the post-race refreshment tent are for athletes only. A food truck will be present on site for participants and spectators to purchase food if desired.
Check back here for official times following the event. Active Central MN events are timed by Pickle Events. Results can be found by going to www.mtecresults.com or www.pickleevents.com.
Check back here after the event for a link to photos.
Contact us at heather.corcoran@activecentralmn.org to learn more about volunteering for this event.
