The nation's top run-bike-run athletes ages 14-85 are converging on Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this weekend for the 2021 USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships — the first USA Triathlon-produced National Championship event to take place since August 2019. Day one of racing included the Non-Drafting Standard and Sprint-Distance Duathlon National Championships. Alex Arman (Boulder, Colo.) and Kirsten Sass (McKenzie, Tenn.) were the overall Standard-Distance champions, while Todd Buckingham (Big Rapids, Mich.) and Cassidy Hickey (Parker, Colo.) successfully defended their 2019 titles in the Non-Drafting Sprint.

Check out the top photos from the day, taken by the talented Vasha Hunt. Click here for the full recap of day one at Duathlon Nationals, and visit usatriathlon.org/du2021 for complete 2021 Duathlon National Championships information.

Warming up at the start line for the Non-Drafting Sprint National Championships. Cassidy Hickey (#10) went on to win the women's overall national title.

After the 2020 Duathlon Nationals were canceled due to COVID-19, athletes relished the opportunity to get back to racing safely.

Celia Dubey placed second overall among women in the Non-Drafting Sprint, capturing the Masters national title in the process.

Heather Perkins (left) and Carolyn Hoover (right) at the start of the Non-Drafting Sprint.

Eighteen-year-old Cassidy Hickey earned a three-peat overall victory in the Non-Drafting Sprint National Championships.

Athletes in the Non-Drafting Sprint National Championships faced hot and humid afternoon conditions in Tuscaloosa.

Douglas Gatto prepares to transition from bike to second run in the Non-Drafting Sprint.

Paratriathlete Jeremy Winters (left) is guided by Paul Harrold (right) in the Non-Drafting Sprint. Winters captured the PC Open national title.

TUSA Triathlon's Together We Thrive flag on display along the finish chute, featuring the Pride (LGBTQIA+) colorway. Visit usatriathlon.org/thrive to learn more about USA Triathlon's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access campaign.

Sean Price navigates transition during the Non-Drafting Sprint National Championships.

The always-smiling Kirsten Sass was the overall women's champion in the Non-Drafting Standard, and took fourth overall in the Non-Drafting Sprint.

Todd Buckingham (Every Man Jack kit) got off to a strong start in the Non-Drafting Sprint and went on to win the overall title by more than three minutes.

The Full Send Triathlon Team was well-represented Saturday at Duathlon Nationals.

The races were held with COVID-19 safety precautions in place according to USA Triathlon's Safe Return to Multisport initiative.

Athletes approach the start line for the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance National Championships. Participants wore masks at all times except while actively racing.

Marianne Salamoncowan gives a wave as she prepares for the start of the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance race.

Athletes were sent off in a time-trial format in small groups to mitigate congestion on the course.

The hilly run course took athletes along the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and Jack Warner Parkway, with the second run finishing inside the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.

Alfonso Ahuja pushes through the run during the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance National Championships.

Jimmy Covas in transition during the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance race.

A strong women's field heads out of transition and onto the bike during the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance race.

Just like in triathlon, the duathlon transition is often called the "fourth discipline" — and it can make or break an athlete's race.

Adoh Doherty sets out on the bike during the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance race. Doherty would ultimately placed third overall in the men's field.

After first winning this race in 2018, Alex Arman returned to the top of the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance Duathlon Nationals podium on Saturday.

Third-place finisher Adoh Doherty (#502) and second-place finisher Nick Aguila (#535) congratulate each other at the finish of the Non-Drafting Standard-Distance race.

Day 1 Photos: Duathlon National Championships in Tuscaloosa

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