2001 US Professional Duathlon Champion, Andrea Ratkovic took top honors at the Dannon Duathlon in Alpharetta, GA this past weekend.

In her first draft-legal duathlon, Ratkovic was unsure of a strategy, but soon figured it out, as she took the lead in the first 5k after one mile of running. Ratkovic continued leading out in front by herself, until three other athletes that were working together on the bicycle caught her with about four miles to go. Exiting T2 in fourth, Ratkovic quickly took the lead again in the first 1/4 mile of the remaining 5K run with out contest to the finish, for another victory.

Andrea Ratkovic's splits were 17:47 / 49:07 / 18:19 = 1:26:32 for the 5k/30k/5k hilly duathlon, 48 seconds faster then 2nd place.

Nearly 500 athletes from 31 states came to Alpharetta to see the site of the 2002 Duathlon World Championships, and the 2003 & 2004 Duathlon National Championships. Ratkovic along with the other top four pro men and women qualified for the US team to compete in the Duathlon World Championships.

Ratkovic's next race will be to defend her US Professional Duathlon Champion title at the USAT Duathlon National Championships in Carlsbad, California on July 14.