LEWISTON — With the 2011 L-A DU fast approaching, training sessions are being offered to help participants prepare for Museum L-A’s “Duathlon of Historic Proportion” on June 26 at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park. While the feature competition continues to be the run-bike-run competition, three new events — New Balance 5K Run, L.L.Bean Community Walk and Kids’ Obstacle Course presented by Auburn Firefighters Local 797 — are sure to make it a fun morning for the whole family. All proceeds from the day go to the next phase of the new Museum L-A building program.

Run Courses Coordinator Scott Brown began training sessions on June 7. The June 14 session will cover the second run course as well as stretching and training tips; June 21 will include easy runs on both courses as well as mini-transitions for those interested. Attendees can bring their bikes for these sessions if they would like. If there is enough interest, a transition training/practice will take place for both. Each session will begin at 6 p.m. at Simard-Payne Park and will last one hour.

The Kids’ Obstacle Course fits in well with Museum L-A’s partnership in the Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens program associated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative and coordinated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Race day, June 26, begins at 8 a.m. with the New Balance 5K run led by Sen. Margaret M. Craven. The 3.1 mile course winds through downtown Lewiston and Auburn with a swing around West Pitch Park by the Great Falls.

At 8:15 a.m. the first wave hits the Duathlon course – beginning with a 2.6-mile run through downtown Lewiston, followed by a 14-mile bike course that follows the Androscoggin River, and winds up with a three-mile run through downtown Auburn and finishing at Simard-Payne Park. Museum board member Kirk Nadeau is coordinating a corporate challenge for relay teams. He hopes to have 10 teams vying for bragging rights.

Ten local firefighters will run the 5K in donated firefighters’ boots, made in Auburn at Falcon Performance Footwear, which is sponsoring the local firefighters’ teams.

Everyone is urged to pick up a pledge form and help support all participants raise funds for any of the events.

At 8:30 a.m. the Kora Klowns will lead the one-mile L.L.Bean Community Walk that will cross over the trestle bridge, through downtown Auburn to West Pitch by The Great Falls, and back to the park via the Longley Bridge.

Youngsters age 5-12 will have time to practice on the Kids’ Obstacle Course before the competition starts at 10 a.m. The Kora Klowns will be helping with this event as well.

A post-race expo and awards ceremony will include music by Auburn’s Tinpanic Steel Band. Servers from Pedro O’Hara’s will be serving Lewiston’s own Baxter Beer.

Visit www.museumla.org/ladu for the latest information.