Duathlon-Free Zone in Elmira-Thon

Park your bike. There won't be a duathlon event in the Elmira-Thon again this year, race organizers announced this month.

The run 3 miles, bike 23 miles, run 3 mile team and individual event is canceled for the same reason it was in 2000: road contruction on the race course in downtown Elmira.

"We wanted to make the decision early this year," said Norm Ward, long-time Elmira-Thon organizer. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold it because of the same situation as last year. The streets will be hard-packed dirt -- OK for running, but obviously for bikes, we can't do it. The duathlon is not a mountain bike race."

The 24th annual Elmira-Thon, set for June 10, will host the usual 10K and 3-mile road races and the DARE fun run for area youth. Note two additional changes:

New starting times for the races -- DARE run (8:30 a.m.); the 3-miler (9:15 a.m.); the 10K (10:15 a.m.).

Big, big difference in pre- and post-race fees. The fees for all events double on race day, so get an application and mail it in now. Race organizers want to reduce race day chaos, and this is one way to encourage procrastinators to get going.

Earlier this year, organizers looked for an alternative duathlon course, but logistics, traffic control and safety made the feat impossible. They even considered a four-lap bike race, but officials felt they weren't ready for that kind of racing event.

Another key question: What to do to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Elmira-Thon in 2002? The event, originally patterned after the Ithaca 5 & 10, has constantly evolved, adding and taking away many different races since 1978. The first Elmira-Thon hosted a 10K and a 20K, and Ward wonders if that might be good to bring back in 2002.

"Do we bring the 20K back in place of the duathlon," asked Ward. "It's not fair to the duathletes to bring their race back this year, then cancel it out again next year. We have tried to change with the times, and offer events that are new."

Nothing is decided yet, and Elmira-Thon participants this year will be asked to fill out a survey with their thoughts for next year.

For information on the Elmira-Thon, call 800-836-3711; or check their Web site at http://www.chemungcanal.com.