One of the world’s largest duathlons is returning to London this year and general entry is now open for anyone who would like to take part – including an option for people to sign up as a relay team with friends and family.

The London Duathlon is the leading run, bike, run race in the UK, with 4,000 people expected to head to Richmond Park for the September 3 event.

Last year’s duathlon proved incredibly popular, with participants keen to experience competing amid the picturesque surroundings of the capital’s largest royal park on a closed route. It is also one of only a small number of closed-route duathlons in the UK, making it a must for those seeking personal best times.

Organisers LimeLight Sports Club, which also runs the Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon and ASICS London 10k, is experiencing high demand for this year’s event and encouraging anyone who would like to take part to register now to avoid disappointment.

People can choose from three distance options and a relay race: the half duathlon involves a 5k run, 22k bike ride and further 5k run, while the full duathlon is double that distance (10k run, 44k bike ride, 10k run). The ultra duathlon option challenges participants to run 20k, cycle 77k, and run another final 20k.

The relay, which is aimed at teams or two or three people, is a 10k run, 44k bike ride, and 5k run and has seen demand for places increase as more people look to compete alongside friends, family, or colleagues. It gives people the chance to take part in a muti-discipline event without having to complete each leg themselves, with cyclists increasingly keen to team up with a runner friend, and vice versa.

The event is aimed at people of all levels and as well as a stand-alone even and is also seen as a great way for runners and cyclists to begin to build their way up to taking part in a full triathlon.

Craig Dews, CEO of LimeLight Sports Club, said: “This is becoming a very popular event and we’re confident we’ll see even more people taking part this year than in 2022.

“The London Duathlon is a really accessible race for people who have never done a multi-discipline event before and there is always a welcoming, encouraging, and family-friendly atmosphere on race day.

“It is also a great opportunity for more experienced participants to challenge themselves on a closed route in an absolutely stunning location.

“We’ve seen a real increase in demand for the relay category and it is brilliant to see people who perhaps traditionally only cycle or run signing up with friends and taking part together.

“There can’t be many more beautiful settings for a mass-participation race; we’re very lucky to be able to put this event on and it’s brilliant to see so many people keen to join us and enjoy the day together.”

Places are available now, with prices starting at just £44, and can be booked online at: www.londonduathlon.com.