IANS

Bangalore, Jun 10: It seems India's Tech hub Bangalore has been well and truly bitten by the sporting bug. Soon after the successful completion of 'Sunfeast World 10K marathon Bangalore' recently, where around 32,000 sports enthusiasts of the city participated, it's time again for the Bangaloreans to get into their jogging shoes and fine tune their cycling skills.

The city will host June 14 India's first Duathlon event, organised by Runners for Life (RFL) in collaboration with Ride a Cycle Foundation.

"Around 250 participants have registered for the event till today (Wednesday), the official closing day for registration. But we will allow participants to register themselves even few hours before the event actually begins, to encourage more and more Bangaloreans to be part of the unique event," Arvind Bharthi, manager of Runners for Life, told IANS.

"We're happy to get large scale participation in the first edition of the event. This shows the enthusiasm of Bangaloreans to take part in sporting events," added Bharthi.

A sum Rs.625 has been charged from each participant.

Duathlon is a combination of cycling and running and considered by athletic enthusiasts as good blend to test the participant's endurance, training and sporting skills.

The duathlon will have three main race categories -- 10km running plus 20km cycling (split as 5km running plus 20km cycling and 5km running), 5km running plus 10km cycling (split as 2.5km running, 10km cycling and 2.5km running) and a children's event.

The distance to be covered for the children event will be decided on the spot.

TI Cycles of India, manufacturers of BSA and Hercules bicycles, is the official sponsor of the event.

"Keeping in line with our maxim of 'One Life. Do More', we at Runners for Life believe that the Duathlon is more than just a test of endurance and spirit, but also an opportunity for like-minded people to get out and experience life. We also feel extremely privileged that this event is India's first Duathlon and hope to carry forward the same passion across the country," added Bharthi.

Claimed to be the largest running community of the country, RFL, the Bangalore-based runners club currently has 2,000 members.

Ride a Cycle Foundation, Bangalore, is a voluntary group promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transport model among Bangloreans.

The foundation was formed in November 2008 and has around 100 members.

"We're happy to be part of the event. Cycling is not only a great form of exercise and sporting activity, but is eco-friendly and sustainable mode of transportation, especially for a city like Bangalore with huge pollution level and narrow roads," said Sharath Raju, secretary of the foundation.

The first three winners in all the categories will be given gift vouchers from the sponsor of the event.

Participants have been selected on the basis of their fitness and are undergoing special training to be part of the event.

Ambulances will follow the participants to take care of any emergency situation.

"I am quite excited and looking forward to be a part of the event. I am preparing regularly for the event, as it needs a lot of stamina and endurance to be part of such long events," said Sumit Khanna, a city-based entrepreneur and a self-confessed cycling buff.