Tim Holmstrom / Event Director
 INTERVIEW BY  /  SHANE NELSON

* How about telling our reader’s a little bit about yourself.

Tim: I have been a photojournalist for 12 years and spent the better part of that time covering adventure racing and extreme sports, documenting interesting people, events and personal adventures in an effort to always be moving myself. 3 years ago I started planning  and promoting The Coastal Challenge, Expedition Run and that modest project has slowly changed the course of my life as I came to learn what it truly takes to build an event.

* How long have you been involved with multisport?

Tim: I began covering the Eco Challenge in Morocco in 1997 and attended each subsequent Eco Challenge as a photojournalist until the franchise came to an end in 2002. After that I became Photography Director for Primal Quest Expedition Race for the following 4 years up through this last Summer’s Primal Quest in Utah.

* What prompted you to create this event?

Tim: I wanted to follow up The Coastal Challenge with a race that included running and at least one other discipline. Mountain biking is huge in Costa Rica because their terrain and roads are so well suited for creating epic mountain bike routes. I thought that it would also be a great opportunity to bring together a community of people who enjoyed the idea of doing a duathlon along with those who may opt to team up and do just the running or riding portion as part of a relay team. These people will be competing and camping together for 3 days in a remote and rugged part of Costa Rica. This competition will be as much about experiencing the incredible beauty of Costa Rica as it is about competing in a world class duathlon.

* Can you give us an overview on the state of affairs of multisport in Costa Rica?

Tim: Multi sport is popular in Costa Rica in terms of Triathlons and Adventure Racing. In general, the
spirit of competition, outdoor recreation and physical fitness are featured prominently throughout Costa
Rica.

* How many people do you estimate will compete in this event?

Tim: We fully expect between 125-175 competitors from around the world and from Costa Rica to
compete at the inaugural event. We base this on our success with successfully promoting The Coastal
Challenge and the fact that the Costa Rica has become such a desirable eco tourism destination.

* Do you have plans on creating more duathlon events in the future?

Tim: After Duel in the Sun we hope to look at doing a sequel or something similar in South America at
elevation, perhaps in Peru or Bolivia.

* Imagine for a minute that you have been given a thirty second radio spot. What do you say
that makes people want to give ‘Duel In The Sun’ a try?

Tim: With Duel in the Sun we have created an exciting new international duathlon that will allow hardcore competitors to come race either solo or in a team relay category in an incredibly beautiful part of Costa Rica. Having the relay category option will open up the event to people who are perhaps not yet conditioned to do a multi-day stage duathlon just yet. The relay will accommodate those who may love technical mountain bike but not necessarily running distance or vice versa.  They need only find a
teammate who will balance out their relay team.  This event has been created and produced with the avid traveler and adventurous athlete in mind. We are a seasoned event management team supported by a very dedicated, creative and competent staff. Our focus is on experiential and theme based sporting
events that cultivate a sense of cultural immersion and authentic adventure.

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