Africa Triathlon

Members of Team USA took home 49 medals from the 2009 ITU Duathlon World Championship at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday.

The total includes 13 gold, 18 silver and 18 bronze medals as USA athletes swept gold, silver and bronze in five different age groups.

The weather was rainy all day, but the mist that was present for the elites early in the day turned into downpours as the age groupers took to the course in the afternoon. That didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of the more than 750 competitors from across the globe, including more than 400 U.S. athletes.

Lowe’s Speedway provided a unique setting for the event. Athletes started the 10k run on the track’s start/finish line, made their way onto pit row and out into the streets surrounding the stadium. Portions of the 40k bike actually circled the track and cut through the infield, with the final 5k run bringing athletes back to the finish along pit row.

Two U.S. athletes produced the day’s fastest times overall. Team USA veteran Suzanne Huelster (Riverton, N.J.) turned in a 1:57:09 for the women, while Matthew Sheeks (Woodlinville, Wash.) led the men home in 1:43:30.