El Doñarosa II Duatlón de Sevilla'12 will be the largest share of Spain

It has been presented with the presence of María José Pedrosa (IMD manager), José María Merchán (president of the Andalusian Triathlon Federation), María Pujol (international triathlete) and Rafael López Ordóñez (international paratriathlete).

The Doñarosa II Duathlon of Seville does not stop growing. In just one year, it has become the one with the most registrations in Spain, with almost 600 participants. Specifically, there are 587 athletes who will wear their numbers next Sunday to compete in a test that, despite being only the second edition, has already carved out an important place on the calendar. The presentation of the test was held at the Barceló Renacimiento Hotel in Seville, which was attended by María José Pedrosa (IMD manager), José María Merchán (president of the Andalusian Triathlon Federation), María Pujol (international triathlete) and Rafael López Ordóñez (international paratriathlete).

The president of the Andalusian Triathlon Federation has stressed "the pride and gratitude that the IMD is collaborating with an ambitious project such as the Seville Duathlon. Since I started in the Federation we have set ourselves the goal of getting closer to the citizen of Seville. In this test we want to bring international athletes, so that they know our climate, our facilities and that later come to train in the city.

Seville will be the spearhead of our Federation, we are coordinating with the IMD to promote sport and we are achieving it. We have to continue betting on Seville and, in addition to popular tests, we are going to bring international events”, said Merchán.

For her part, the manager of the Municipal Sports Institute wanted to "transfer our gratitude to the Andalusian Triathlon Federation for having us as collaborators in this event. For participating and letting us share in your achievements. If we provide the seal of quality and distinction of the city, it will be a success. We have made a commitment to the future for this Seville Duathlon, which will continue to have the support of the IMD”, commented Pedrosa.

Two of the favorites in their respective modalities were also present at the event, Rafael López Ordóñez in paratriathlon and María Pujol in the female category. The Sevillian international triathlete feels "proud to participate in a test at home. This year the Duathlon goes through a Tournament, bringing us closer to the city: to the Sevillians, to the tourists... So it takes on a different dimension. For me it is an important test, I am training hard, I am like never before at this stage of the season and I will give it my all. I haven't been like this for years."

Meanwhile, Rafael Gómez Ordóñez applauded “the Andalusian Triathlon Federation because it is the one that pushes and helps paratriathletes in Spain the most.

That accounts for the high level we are having in the region. So I thank the Federation for opening events like this Duathlon to paratriathletes. It will be the first test that I do this season in Andalusia, I hope to enjoy it. I am preparing for the Spanish Middle Distance Championship (half Ironman), so short tests like the Duathlon serve as a power test for me, they are more explosive.

The Seville Duathlon is the prelude to the Seville Triathlon, to be held on May 19, 2012. It will be held in two modalities: Sprint (5 km on foot, 20 km by bike and another 2,5 km running) and relay, where you can make a team of 2 or 3 people (federated or not) in which each one will carry out a single discipline: or running, or cycling.

The place chosen will be the Parque del Alamillo for the start and finish, as well as the running circuit, and in its surroundings for cycling, running through the new circuit implemented for the Seville Triathlon 2012.

Therefore, for the first time, the duathlon will "enter" Seville by occupying a large part of Torneo street and joining the Isla de la Cartuja by the catwalk, making a round trip on Avenida de los Descubrimientos and culminating the tour entering the American Park of Cartuja and heading again to Alamillo.

Source: eldesmarque.es