Once again it’s that time of year. After many months of planning, preparation, and personal sacrifices, athletes finally get their chance to hit the “go button.”
Saturday’s sold-out IRONMAN 70.3 Hawaii triathlon event will feature a registered field of over 2,100 participants. It also happens to be one of the most talked about triathlons in the state — and amongst the 70.3 circuit — and for a good reason.
It is a race where Big Island’s beauty meets the beastly nature of the 70.3-mile course.
The 1.2-mile swim nestled in beautiful Hapuna Beach is a top destination spot for its crystal clear waters, white sandy crescent-shaped beach, and its surrounding stark contrast of black, rugged lava cliffs.
The award-winning sandy shore offers athletes a pleasant distraction from the harsh reality of the washing machine-like swim starts. And with the possibility of strong currents and fierce chop on race day, one may feel like they are a salmon swimming into an upstream battle.
Once on their bikes, it becomes a sight often seen in popular triathlon magazines.
Lean, muscular bodies streaming along the famed road to Hawi, bent over in aero position on their bikes, battling Kona’s notorious winds and heat, with teeth gritting to show their gumption and determination, is just what it might take to complete the 56-mile roller coaster of a challenge.
Yet, the best is yet to come. The pulverizing and broiling run segment of this race has known to bring the toughest of competitors down to their knees. Competitors will take on a 13.1-mile course traversing over manicured grounds of Mauna Lani’s golf fairways, past petroglyph fields and ancient fishponds, along coastal pathways and cart paths with turns, twists, and undulating hills so severe one may never find their rhythm.
Then, ensuring competitors are thoroughly cooked before finishing, the final miles punish racers with a steamy, out-and-back version of the notorious Natural Energy Lab’s IRONMAN World Championship run course.
This is why, Saturday’s sold out affair is stamped on race calendars and continues to be one of the most popular events on the 70.3 race circuit.
Just call it Honu.
The local nickname — in honor of the Hawaiian green sea turtle and once the original name given to this popular event by local multisport enthusiast Peaman — has also transformed into a race where the best international age-group field descends upon the Big Island to earn bragging rights. Saturday will be no different.
On the men’s side, Kona triathlete David Wild (25-29), who was the top Big Islander and placed sixth overall at this year’s Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon, seems to have a great chance on putting on a good show at his Honu debut.
Other contenders are Oahu’ Sergio Florian (35-39) and Mike Ferreira (50-54). Florian recently won the North Shore Triathlon on May 17th and happens to be the top local pick by Hawaii professional triathlete, Ben Williams.
“I think Sergio will do well at Honu,” Williams said. “He’s put out some solid races over the last year and definitely one to watch.”
For Ferreira, who has qualified for multiple IRONMAN World Championship slots by winning his age group on numerous occasions at Honu, not having a professional field in contention or international IRONMAN qualifying slots for age-groupers brings mixed feelings.
“I think it’s going to be different,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect. But I’ll do what I normally do which is to just step up to the line on race day and give it my best. But it’s less about the pros not racing and more about local athletes not having a venue to qualify for IRONMAN outright. Yes, there’s still the lottery slots but it’s not the same when you actually compete to earn your spot.”
For the women, early predictions point to last year’s top age group female finisher, Oahu’s Lectie Altman (30-34). Altman posted the fastest swim split at 26:57 besting all the swim times of the female professional field in last year’s Honu race. Her win at Oahu’s North Shore Triathlon two weeks ago also proves that she is primed and ready to go.
Other females to watch are Oahu’s Christine Nichols (25-29) and California’s Nell Christine Stephenson (40-44). Nichols recently won the Jamba Juice Lanikai Triathlon and Honolulu Triathlon. While Stephenson, has proved to be a tough age group competitor at Honu and also a multiple IRONMAN World Championship finisher.
While the door is wide open and seems to be anyone’s win for the taking, one thing’s for sure — crossing the finish line after braving 70.3-miles of swim, bike and run while enjoying the beauty of everything the Kohala Coast has to offer will certainly make everyone feel like a champion.
