What are some multisport events with NO RUNNING?

[Dianyla]

I have problematic knees and have not been able to run since I was a teen - I simply can't do the high-impact stuff. I have been doing lower impact activities like hiking, swimming, cycling, skiing, etc. ever since. Are there any multisport events I can do that absolutely positively don't involve running?

Or, am I understanding right that there are tri-teams where each person does a different leg of the triathlon? What is a good way to get hooked up with this kind of thing?

[Morphine]

You are not alone in this, Dianyla. Many of my pals also suffers from knee problems (as a result of over-use during childhood) but that doesnt prevent them from participating in races. There are team races (duathlons, triathlons) where each takes on a certain leg of the race. Look at it this way, isnt this a good chance for you to be really apt at a particular sport as compared to tri-athletes who have difficulties coping with 3 sports for the race ?

[Lise]

You made me think of aquathlon, but that's running and swimming. Takes out your (and my) favorite part! Many folks participate in triathlon as part of a team, so you could alternate doing the swim or bike in different races, or be the bike "specialist" on your team. The atmosphere at a triathlon is so fun, for me, so I hope you get to do it. Take care, Lise

[KSH]

Some triathlons will do an aqua series. Those people signed up for the aqua series will just do the swimming and cycling. No running. Here in Texas, we have a half ironman that offers that.

You can also do relay teams. Which is always a good time. You could find a message board in your area to find team members for a relay team, or ask around.

I put together an all girl relay team for a half ironman last year. It was fun.

FINALLY... you can walk the running portion of a tri. Honestly, I walk most of the way, and I still come in middle of the pack.

Best of luck!

[Kimmyt]

Have you thought about adventure racing? They are often offered in a variety of formats.

[Running Mommy]

The vineman in Santa Rosa has a rockin relay. It's a half IM so you really feel like you "did your part", but just get a buddy to do the running. Can't beat the bike leg for beauty!

[Eden]

There are several races up here (WA state) that are relay as well - with a lot of different legs Sea to Ski has x-country ski, down hill ski, kayak, canoe, road bike, mt bike, and run, but I think you are only allowed to do one leg.
I'll look into it a bit more, but I seem to remember that there was a Mountains to Sound Greenway race that was Mt. Bike, Road bike and Kayak last year. I don't remember if it had a run leg or not.

edit
the Mountains to Sound Adventure Relay might work for you if they are going to do it again this year. It looks like you could do as many or as few legs as you wanted and have a team mate(s) do the others.
Mountain Bike 20 Miles
Paddle 2 Miles
Mountain Bike 10 Miles
Road Bike 16 Miles
Trail Run 5 Miles
Team Run 0.5 Miles
There is a .5 mile team run though, but if your team has 4 members one may be excused from the final run.

[Lifesgreat]

oops! Mispost.

[vicvroom]

Aquabike is a new bike/swim only race that some USA Triathlon is trying to start for people that can't run. Unfortunately, they are few and far between right now.

Vineman offers one:
http://www.vineman.com/index_main.php3?l=aqua

Of course, there are a lot more races that offer relays.

[Lise]

Thanks--THAT'S what I was trying to think of! Aquathlon is run/swim, Aquabike is bike/swim. I knew I'd heard of it.

Love your avatar! Is that a greyhound? It also looks a bit like an Ixisquinqli (which I'm sure I'm misspelling), the Mexican hairless doggy. L.

[vicvroom]

That's my boy Chopper. He's a 45 pound standard size Mexican Hairless (or Xoloitzcuintli). Well, he's probably a mix. I got him from a rescue, and he's the sweetest dog ever.

[Lise]

Wow! I guessed right, even if I was hopelessly misspelled! Friends of mine had a much tinier Xoloitzcuintli named Frida. We had a 14th birthday party for her, figuring she might not make it to her 15th (she didn't). We called it her "catorcenera", because the Mexican girls have a "quincenera" party when they turn 15. She was a sweetheart, too. I love rescue dog stories.

[Eden]

I was looking through an event calendar and I came across this one- the Scappoose Bay Challenge.
It happens every Sat. and Sun. until June 30 6 people compete in each race, a 30 mile bike and 9 mile Kayak. The best time for each race gets to compete in a final.
www.scappoosebaykayaking.com

[thinpaperwings]

I'm thinking of doing my own: cross country skiing around Trillium Lake up on Mt Hood (7.2 miles), then biking down Hwy 26 to Springwater Corridor over to Sellwood riverfront park (52 miles), and then putting in and kayaking (either around Ross Island (maybe about 10 miles?) or maybe upstream to Johnson Creek and back (4 miles).

If next year's snow season is anything like this year's, we should have enough snow pack to be able to ski Trillium Lake and still have it warm enough, and daylight long enough, to do the whole thing.

If enough people were interested in doing it, then it could be an actual organized event. Otherwise, I was just planning on doing it alone (although two of the legs will include my dog).

-Sara-