Once again, May turned out to be another busy month for Big Islanders representing Hawaii in triathlon and cycling.
While traveling off-island to a race can be challenging in itself, for many, it becomes the icing on the cake — a perfect opportunity to relax and unwind after weeks and months of preparation for the big event.
Here’s how our Big Island athletes fared at their respective events.
Wildflower Triathlon Long Course
California, May 6
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Known as “the Woodstock of Triathlon” and regarded as one of the most historic races in the sport, the Wildflower Triathlon celebrated its 35th anniversary and attracted over 1,200 athletes with two being from the Big Island.
On a clear, hot day in Lake San Antonio, men’s professional triathlete Rudy Von Berg had a breakout race as he topped six-time defending champion, Jesse Thomas, in a blazing time of 4 hours and 40 seconds. For the women, Heather Jackson claimed her fourth consecutive victory with her time of 4:29:48.
For the Big Island, Kailua-Kona’s David Wild placed seventh in the men’s 30-34 age group with a time of 4:44:55 and William Richards finished 19th (M45-49) in a time of 5:51:16.
Ironman 70.3 Busselton
Western Australia, May 6
1.86-mile run, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Unseasonably strong winds and rain forced race organizers to cancel the swim segment and change the triathlon event into a duathlon (run-bike-run). Kiwi men’s professional triathlete, Terenzo Bozzone, made it look easy by winning in a blazing time of 3:27:00, and Liz Blatchford of Australia won the women’s professional division with her time of 4:10:54.
Kailua Kona’s Michael DeCarli finished 11th in the men’s 40-44 age group with a time of 4:24:42. Dan Campon placed fifth (M18-24) at 4:40:04 and Mercedes DeCarli finished ninth (F18-24) with a time of 5:29:30.
Ultraman Australia
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, May 11-13
6.2-mile swim, 262-mile bike, 52-mile run
There is no doubt that a swim, bike and run spanning over a three-day period may possibly be the toughest sport in the world of triathlon. Ultraman Australia did not disappoint as 44 competitors from around the globe competed for bragging rights in the ultimate endurance challenge that started and finished at the iconic Noosa Heads beach.
New Zealand native, Carl Read, proved to be the fastest over the three-day event, finishing with a combined swim, bike and run time of 21 hours and 20 seconds. Ann Brinkamp claimed the women’s division with her winning time of 24:12:53.
Kailua-Kona’s Staci Studer finished sixth in the female division with a time of 27:23:00.
2018 Pedal to the Meadow Cycling Road Race
Kauai, May 27
15.75 miles, 3,835 feet in elevation gained
Pedal to the Meadow is a scenic and challenging cycling hill climb race on the island of Kauai. It starts on the west side of the island and winds its way along the Waimea Canyon rim up to the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow in Kokee State Park. The distance is 15.75 miles with an elevation gain of 3,835 feet, and attracts top cyclists from around the state. Over 100 riders participated in the road race.
Carl Nethercutt and Kristen Osborn were the overall male and female winners with their times of 1:05:07 and 1:20:24 respectively. Both won April’s Tantalus Time Trial, the first race in the Inaugural King &Queen of the Mountain Championship Series. The Series includes three other events: Kauai’s Pedal to the Meadow, Maui’s Cycle to the Sun, and Big Island’s Sea to Stars hill-climb races.
Kailua-Kona’s Luis De La Torre placed eighth overall in the male division with a time of 1:14:12. Tawnie McDonald was the second female to cross the finish line (1:22:50) and she was followed by Laupahoehoe’s Jennfer Real (1:23:08).Kailua-Kona’s Winona Chen finished fifth in the female division with a time of 1:30:09.
