Ride strong and run fast!
The WTRL Duathlon combines both cycling and running using Zwift into an epic race. It is the perfect 1 hour competitive workout with points scored based on the distance covered on both bike and foot in fixed-time events. Results form both weekly and monthly leagues for both individuals and clubs, by gender and by age group. No treadmill? No problem! WTRL Duathlon will allow you to complete the cycling option on Zwift and the running option outside using Strava.
Competing solo? No problem! With individual and age group competition, you’re in good company no matter how you choose to participate. Want to team up? Perfect! Select your Zwift Club at registration. You'll need to have a WTRL Profile and be opted in to ZwiftPower.
Heads up, the goal here isn’t to cross the finish line first. The objective is to find out who can go the farthest distance in the amount of time allotted.
EVENT BREAKDOWN
You can find a full list of dates, times routes and sign-up buttons on the SCHEDULE page
WTRL Duathlon bike and run options are separate events within the game. Once you have completed the cycling option, you will need to switch the game mode to RUN and then 'Join Now' the run option event. If you are running outside (ie not on Zwift, please ensure you sign-up for the run option but do not join it. Simply start running outside within 5 minutes of completing the bike option.
- 35-minute non-draft bike race with a mass start
- 7-minute transition (experimental)
- 20 minute run (on Zwift or outside*)
*For full 'running outside and not on Zwift' instructions please check out this WTRL Help Center article.
SCORING
Scores are based on how far you ride or run.
- Every 100 meters cycled = 1 point
- Every 20 meters covered on foot = 1 point
ROUTES & LEAGUES
Routes rotate each week and each season fits into a calendar month making them either 4 or 5 weeks long (see season dates at the foot of this page).
The WTRL Duathlon will run on Wednesdays all-year-round initially.
How do I run on Zwift?
WTRL offer 2 ways for you to complete the Run element of the WTRL Duathlon:
1. On a treadmill
The safest way to run on Zwift is with a treadmill. You can learn more about the requirements by visiting Zwift Support.
2. Outdoors
If you do not own a treadmill and would like to run in the WTRL Duathlon, as long as you have a free Strava account that you have linked to your WTRL Profile, you can complete the run option outside. For more details how to do this, please click here.
2023 Season / League Dates
Season 1: 2nd to 30th August 2023 (5 weeks)
Season 2: 6th to 27th September 2023 (4 weeks)
Season 3: 4th to 25th October 2023 (4 weeks)
Season 4: 1st to 29th November 2023 (5 weeks)
Season 5: 6th to 27th December 2023 (4 weeks)
Rules & FAQs![]()
PRE-RACE CHECKLIST
It may look daunting but many of these should be fairly standard:
- Ensure you have a WTRL Profile
- Make sure your Zwift Profile and ZwiftPower are connected (ZwiftPower logo should be in COLOUR).
- If you want to represent your club, pre-register using the Registration button above.
- Sign-up for BOTH your Bike and Run Options (even if running outside) using the links on our Schedule (button above), weekly email, Zwift etc.
- Make sure your Zwift software is up to date.
- If running outside:
- Make sure your WTRL Profile is connected to the correct Strava account.
- Your chosen route is safe, not too hilly and doesn't require you to stop at lights or to cross the road as you'll lose distance.
- If you are new to outdoor activity recording, you may also want to make sure your devices are sending their data to Strava by recording a quick walk around the block or your yard/garden.
- Gather all your kit:
- clothing
- footwear
- towels, water/drink
- biometric hardware (heart rate monitor, cadence etc)
- When transitioning in-game, remember that you need to exit from the game to the profile selection screen (after cycling) and switch the game mode to RUN. Start running anywhere and the JOIN NOW button should appear.
- Transitioning to outdoors? Save your cycling activity on Zwift, abandon the bike, switch gear and head out as soon as you are ready. Be sure to save to Strava with 'WTRL Duathlon' in the title.
As always, our helpful WTRL Race Control Support team are ready to help if you need us!
Getting Started
Q. This sounds great - how do I sign up?
A. You will need to create a WTRL Profile, login, and then you can register for the event. You will literally just need to select your category and a Club (optional), then head over to your Zwift Connections and make sure you “Opt-in” to share your data with ZWIFTPOWER.
Q. I bike on Zwift but have never run - what do I need?
A. Running on Zwift is free. To get started on Zwift Running, please check out these resources.
Q. But I don't own a compatible treadmill - how can I do the running part of the Duathlon?
A. If you have a cell phone or smartwatch and Strava or an app that can integrate with Strava, you can simply run outside. Click here for details.
Q. I entered the wrong category on my registration.
A. No problem. Re-register with the correct category or just race and we will correct your category automatically.
Q. Do I need to wear a Heart Rate Monitor?
A. Yes, you need to transmit/record heart rate data.
Event Basics:
Q. What is the difference between an event, an Option, and a race? A. An Event is defined with an Event ID. An Option is 2 Events - 1 bike and 1 run that take place within an hour with a 7-minute transition.
Q. Can I compete as an individual or do I have to be part of a Club? A. You can race as an individual (solo) or as part of your Zwift Club - or both!
Q. How does the Club feature work? A. To represent your Club, please ensure you pre-register each month (using the REGISTRATION page) as you will determine your Zwift Club for the duration of the calendar month here.
Q. Can I do the Duathlon stage more than once a week? A. Yes, we will take your highest number of points from the event pair to the league for that week.
Q. Can I run outside? A. Yes (click here for details).
Q. Are these Pro races? A. No, these are community events open to anyone wishing to participate.
Club and Team Information:
Q. Is a Club the same as a team?
A. Previously, Duathlon League allowed members to form their own teams. For the NEW WTRL DUATHLON we are going to start with Zwift Clubs only. We hope to allow separate teams again in the very near future allowing intra-Club competition as well as inter-Club competition.
Q. How many Club members am I allowed?
A. For your Club to appear in the Club league, you must have a minimum of 3 Club members participating. There is no maximum on how many members your Club may have. The scoring takes this into account to ensure the competition remains fair and competitive.
Q. Will I need a weekly RacePass to link me to my Club?
A. No, racers are free to enter any WTRL Duathlon League event each week and their results will be associated with the Club they registered with.
Q. Do I have to join a Club?
A. No, both Individual and Club Leagues will be run. All participants that have registered will show in the Individual League and those that are part of a Club will contribute to their Club’s league position.
Q. Does the entire Club have to race in the same event?
A. No, Club members can race in any of the bike/run Options. Once all events for the day are completed, the Club league will be updated. Results for Individuals will be available a few minutes after each race of each stage.
Scoring and Verification:
Q. How does scoring work?
A. Scores are added together from the bike and run events to form a league table by age group.
Bike – 1 point for every 100 meters completed.
Run – 1 point for every 20 meters completed.
Q. How are Club scores calculated? A. We take all points earned by the Club members and average the total score for all members who complete a FULL OPTION (Bike and Run).
Q. Are WTRL verifying performances? A. Yes. We have spent a vast amount of time developing our verification systems and continue to improve them too. Suspect or unrealistic performances will be investigated by WTRL and results annulled (or further action) where applicable.
Q. Are you able to accept secondary heart rate, cadence, fit, or 3rd party files as proof of participation and performance? A. All performances will be judged using data broadcasted by your equipment direct to the game. The only 3rd party file that we can review for potential verification is STRAVA. You must connect your WTRL Profile to your STRAVA profile prior to starting any events. No other form of secondary files or participation outside of the physical events can be taken into consideration or scored. Click here for details on how to connect your accounts.
Race Logistics:
Q. What is the format of the WTRL Duathlon?
A. Bike event 35-minutes // Transition* 7-minutes // Run event 20-minutes.
(*the shorter 7-minute transition period is being trialed for the month of September)
Q. Do I have to race at the same time each week?
A. No, you can race at different times each week, but you must complete the event pair that make up your Option. You could race Option 1 in Week 1, Option 4 in Week 2, Option 7 in Week 3, and Option 5 in Week 4, etc.
Q. Do I have to run straight after I bike?
A. Yes, you must bike and run in the same Option pair with the 7-minute transition. You cannot bike in Opt 1 and then run in Opt 4.
Q. Are starts staggered?
A. Start Pens (which are gender-locked) will see a 1-minute stagger. All pens are a mass start and will be able to see each other.
Q. What start pen is for what?
A. Women will start from the A pen and Men from the B pen. Duathletes will not be separated by age for their events but will be separated into Age categories in the results.
Participation and Equipment:
Q. What biometric kit do I need? A. Participants should always wear a Heart Rate Monitor. Missing or abnormally low HRM readings may be removed from the results. If you can supply cadence as well - perfect, though we are aware not everyone has this at their disposal.
Q. How will I access the separate Bike and Run events?
A. Via our weekly emails (which contain links to all events), the Schedule button (top of this page), Zwift Companion App, or using the Zwift tag 'Duathlon' at www.zwift.com.
Q. Do I have to use a TT bike?
A. You may select any bike available in your Zwift garage as drafting is turned off no matter what.
Q. How does the transition period work?
A. Once you have completed your bike event you will have a 7-minute transitions period to start your run event. Switch the game mode to RUN and then 'Join Now' to enter the start pen for the run event. If you are not running on a treadmill click here for details on how to join.
Q. Can I run outside?
A. We strongly advise against this for safety reasons, but it is possible yes (click here for details).
Q. What incline should I set my treadmill to?
A. Whatever you feel comfortable with - 0% is fine but feel free to increase if you want to up the challenge.
Schedule![]()
Please use the active buttons below to signup for your WTRL Duathlon Bike and Run options. Event times are shown in your local time.
Note that to receive a result, both the bike and run must be from the same Option.
Scroll the table across for sign up buttons
Club League
Clubs MUST have 3 or more club members complete an option each week to score Club Points.
October 2023: Average of the top 3 highest scoring club members + 1 bonus point for each ADDITIONAL club member.
Season 3: All Club Members are included in the average scores each week.
Season 2: The highest and lowest ranked club members are removed from the average for each race
Season 1: No Club League was operated.
Change the Season on the Results page to see the Club League reflected here for that season.