Fast Lanes: The 2024 ORRC Dual Duel Experience

It’s time to Duel! On Tuesday, (yes, a weekday, as per tradition) July 23rd, 2024, the ORRC’s longest running event, the Dual Duel, will take place at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon. There is some interval speed work for those that want a challenging evening event – either solo or as a team. Here are the events of the Dual Duel:

• Mile Race with three heats planned:
  • Mens Open
  • Womens Open
  • Pacers Mile (predict your time)
• Devil Takes the Hindmost: 2-Mile Race
  • The devil starts after the runners complete one lap, then tags runners with a “pitchfork” which will eliminate them from the race one by one…
• Dual Duel: 2-Person 10 Mile Relay (run or race walk)
• Quad Relay: A version of the Dual Duel but for 4-Person teams
• 10K Solo Run: For those who want to run alone, a track race during the Dual Duel/Quad Relay
• Kids Run: 400 m or 1 lap around the track

As you can see, this race is several events all at once on a quarter mile track. The main event, the Dual Duel, allows a team of two runners to alternate quarter-mile legs for a total of 10 miles (or 40 laps, 20 each). It feels very much like a standard track workout to many.

There are four divisions: Running divisions for men, women and mixed, and a division for racewalkers. For the running events, awards are given out to each age group. To figure out which age group you’ll be in, add your age and your teammate’s age together. Age groups are in ten-year increments for the purpose of awards. The Racewalk is open and not age specific.

Packet pickup will happen at 5:30PM and events will begin to kick off at 6:00 PM. The free kids race will be the final event at 6:55PM. To avoid congestion, half of the teams will start on one straightaway and the other half will start across the track. Each team is responsible for keeping count of their own laps, but there will be officials at both start/finish locations.

Most teams recruit a volunteer to counting their laps for them, but if you don’t have a friend or family member that can help you out, a great alternative is to put ten rubber bands on one wrist of each runner. When you finish one lap, move a rubber band to the other wrist. You’ll know you’re on your last lap when you have only one rubber band on the original wrist.

This race is very small and social. The cost is affordable too at $35 for the 10 Mile and 10k events, and only $10 for the Open Mile, Pacer’s Mile, and 2 Miler. The event is always a lot of fun, and it reminds us of the kinds of events the ORRC is known for. The weather is usually good and the venue – Catlin Gabel School – is unsurpassed. Don’t miss it this year!