Two weeks before triathlon’s big dance, slated for Oct. 11, spandex and compression gear have become “the new black.” ADVERTISING Two weeks before triathlon’s big dance, slated for Oct. 11, spandex and compression gear have become “the new black.” From
Two weeks before triathlon’s big dance, slated for Oct. 11, spandex and compression gear have become “the new black.”
From bike tights to sleek running tops to polka-dotted Speedos and neon-compression socks, there’s no escaping the lean, muscular bodies sporting minimal threads that have begun to parade around the streets of Kailua-Kona.
And the big-name drops have begun as well. Sightings of top professional triathletes have descended upon the island — Craig Alexander, Luke McKenzie, Natascha Badmann, and Terenzo Bozzone to name a few — for a last chance to enjoy the quiet waters of Kailua Bay and soak in the laid-back island vibes before the mass convergence of endurance athletes begins.
It’s Ironman — and over the coming weeks the world’s best-of-the-best long-distance triathletes will call Kona their home. “Welcome athletes” signs and sponsor banners will go up around West Hawaii businesses marking the beginning of a complete transformation — of life on Alii Drive as we know it — into a world championship venue like no other.
Even Kaiakeakua Beach will get a complete makeover and sport its Ironman nickname — Dig Me Beach — a favorite locale for media and photographers wanting a closer look at all of the action. But for athletes, it’s a place to see and be seen, and an opportunity to size up the competition before the cannon booms just after dawn on race day.
But there’s still plenty of time to join in and be part of the most-talked-about triathlon in the world. Whether you are a diehard spectator or volunteer, Ironman offers a parade of fun events during “Ironman week” promising to keep everyone entertained.
Event organizers have also jumped into the spandex spirit with the Hawaii Cycling Club providing a timely aerobic engine check with another one of their signature time trials.
Saturday’s Out N Back individual training time trial featured a 22.2-mile leg burner heading north from West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, making a U-turn at Waikoloa Beach Road, and ending with a sprint finish at mile marker 86.
Neutral weather conditions helped Volcano’s Todd Marohnic rip through the course in a blazing time of 53 minutes and 53 seconds, for an average speed of 24.72 mph. Incredibly, Marohnic skipped his warm-up and volunteered as “time starter” for 23 riders before hopping onto his bike, becoming the first volunteer in HCC history to outright win an event.
In second was Dave Burger stopping the clock in 57:01, Peter Buehlow placed third at 57:22, the always-consistent Adam Ankrum came in at 58:31. Rounding out the men’s top five was Tim Wiley in 58:56.
Kym Kiser easily won the women’s race in 59:56, with Pamela Harlow adding some zest into her Ironman training with a second-place finish of 1:09:08, followed by Tammy Huckasun at 1:21:53.
With Kona being one of the most beautiful and challenging venues in the world to host a world championship event, along with a plethora of multisport races to choose from, it’s easy to see why it has become every athlete’s dream of training and racing in paradise.
