Local duathlete Lara Block of Team Rudy Project, Best Female Duathlete in S. Florida in 2003 and 2003 All American Duathlete placed 4^th in the 35-39 age group on Sunday, August 8, 2004 at the USAT Duathlon National Championships which took place at the Dannon Duathlon in Alpharetta , Georgia.

The race was a 10K run, 40K bike, followed by a 5K run. Block completed the distance in 2:23:01, placing 14^th overall female. Says Block: “I was hoping for a stronger finish but after placing 5^th at the World Championships in Belgium early in the summer, it was tough to be motivated enough to train in this intense Miami summer heat. I actually spent the last few weeks training indoors on the treadmill- that’s a first for me! I was happy with a top 4 finish- the competition was strong.”

The run and bike course were both hilly and very challenging. About 300 duathletes from around the country competed. The weather was slightly cooler than normal Atlanta August weather, but still more than warm enough to be considered hot. Local duathlete, Pat Keen from Ft Lauderdale also competed and placed 2^nd in the 45-49 age group finishing in 2:26:49.

The Age group championship was followed by the ITU Duathlon World Cup/US Pro Championships. Simon Whitfield, the defending Olympic triathlon champion, used the Dannon World Cup duathlon as a final tune-up before the Olympic Triathlon in Athens later this month. Anne Jorgensen of  Denmark won the female pro event.