In the wide world of Peaman, Cody Ranfranz has quickly turned into a household name for fans, spectators and competitors. Over the past eight months, the Konawaena sophomore has been virtually impossible to beat at the monthly Peaman Biathlon events since becoming the youngest victor in its 27-year history at the age of 14.
If this is the first time hearing of Ranfranz, get use to it. With two years of high school remaining, he has at least another 25-plus opportunities to continue his amazing Peaman Biathlon win streak, currently holding at seven victories.
But it’s his humbleness and positive attitude that sets him apart. Fueled by an incredible inner desire, laser focus and raw determination, young Ranfranz continues to improve and get faster, and he does so with a genuine appreciation to all who help support his athletic endeavors — his parents, coaches, peers, and competition.
I think that’s pretty incredible for someone who is only 15 years of age.
Sunday’s Zoomin’ Zak Plunge and Plod Biathlon featured a 1/2-mile swim starting at Kaiakeakua Beach, followed with a 3.9-mile run through historic Kailua Village. The race was named in honor of the late Zak Harvey, an out-going, fun-loving, Perpetual Pea winner who passed in his late twenties from Down syndrome.
Over a 100 pea-ticipants turned out for Peaman’s 346th event, ready for some fast, furious, but friendly rivalry. With the massive surf swells that pummeled Kona’s Coastline over the last few weeks now long gone, competitors lucked out with smooth and pristine waters of Kailua Bay along with sightings of the giant Akule bait ball.
First out of the water was Kona’s Aimee Kolman followed closely by top relay swimmer, Danny Becker, and then the chase pack consisting of Jim McCleery, Ranfranz and Tori Oshiro.
With Kolman, Becker, McCleery and Oshiro not continuing onto the run portion of the event, Ranfranz found himself as the sole leader out on the 3.9-mile Alii Drive calf-buster, and a huge cushion ahead of the chasing field.
Although Ranfranz said he never felt his large lead would be in jeopardy, he kept on the gas to ensure no one had the chance to get close, and by doing so, also extinguished any hope of an unexpected visitor coming in that could possibly steal the win.
Participants of last weekend’s Team Mango Sprint Tri experienced just that, when three-time Olympian, ITU world champion and multiple IRONMAN 70.3-winner Tim Don showed up out of the blue and blew away the field.
“I wanted to keep my extended lead so if anyone tries they would need to make up some serious ground to get me,” Ranfranz said. “My goal at every Peaman event is to keep my winning streak alive.”
With that thought in mind, Ranfranz sealed his seventh Peaman Biathlon win in an amazing time of 36 minutes and 16 seconds. Ranfranz is also gearing up for the Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic distance event at the end of the month, and says Peaman events help to get him mentally and physically ready for the upcoming triathlon challenge.
“It’s good training for the transition, and it also helps me to pace my runs,” he said. “After the (Peaman) swim you are a little tired, and at Lavaman you’ll also be tired after the swim and bike as well. My goal is to beat my time from last year, and my dad.”
Last year, Ranfranz finished the Lavaman Waikoloa’s 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in 2:28:33. This time, he hopes to finish under the 2:20 mark and has extra motivation to go as fast as he can.
If Ranfranz can beat his father, Bob, by one hour or less, he will certainly earn family bragging rights for the next year and a $50 incentive prize from his dad.
Coming in second overall for the men was Kona’s Adam Ankrum in a great time of 40:51. Ankrum, who suffered broken ribs in a bike crash before last year’s Lavaman Waikoloa, now looks to be fit, healthy, and well on his way for a great performance come March 29.
Third overall went to Atlanta’s Kevin Moats, another perennial Lavaman Waikoloa top age group finisher, with his time of 42:11.
An honorable mention also goes out to Joe “Bo” Florendo, a cycling and running enthusiast and recently retired Kona District Court Judge, who completed his first Peaman Biathlon in 1:00:27. It is now only a matter of time before we see Florendo’s versatility when he competes in his very first triathlon event.
In the women’s division, Sarah Sermons easily took the win in her second Peaman Biathlon event since having her son last June. Sermons crossed the line in fabulous time of 44:53. Maureen Kearner and Lori Montgomery wrapped up the next two spots finishing in 50:45 and 52:02 respectively.
My son Cole and I tagged off of our relay swimmer, Becker, and won the Split Peas relay division with our time of 39:28. Oshiro whipped through the ½-mile swim to win in 14:12, while Van Harold won the 3.9-mile run in 36:08.
Jared “Raka” Barrett easily claimed his second overall title of the year in the Pea Wee division, winning the 200-yard swim and 1-mile run in 10:05. Nearly a minute back was Cameron and Joshua Stuart, who finished second and third with their times of 11:03 and 11:11 respectively.
Lilo Fyrileiv dominated the female division with a fantastic time of 12:13. Riley Blaber took second in 13:27, and Lily Hubbard claimed the third spot in 19:59.
Adam Ankrum’s seven-year old son, Archer, teamed up with his mom, Laura, to win the Pea Wee Split Peas relay title in 12:52. Brandon Lacuesta covered the 200-yard Pea Wee swim in 8:05, with Ciara Blaber topping the Pea Wee one-mile course in 7:29.
Zak Harvey’s spirit was certainly present during Sunday’s biathlon event and all who remembered him will surely never forget the love he shared with everyone around him.
“I learned so much from him and I truly miss him till this day,” Peaman said. “What I remember the most about him was his honesty, his determination, and his will to live life to the fullest. He was so pure and so happy all the time. We could definitely use more Zak Harvey’s in this world.”