When it comes to Team Mango triathlon events, Kona’s Serena Puaokalani has been on a roll.
The Kailua-Kona resident clinched her second consecutive victory at Sunday’s Springtime Triathlon – nearly ten minutes ahead of the second place finisher
Yet more than winning, Puaokalani says she enjoys the social atmosphere and laid-back vibe the event brings, along with the added bonus of being able to compete alongside her husband and training partner, Robert.
“It’s really fun and a great group of people,” Puaokalani said. “Although it’s a race, everyone has a great attitude which makes it more enjoyable. Robert and I want to keep in shape and it’s something we can do together.”
Puaokalani, nee Chamberlain, is a veteran runner turned triathlete who routinely competes in numerous local events and signature races such as the popular Lavaman Olympic Distance triathlon, IRONMAN 70.3 Hawaii, and the Hilo Triathlon.
As a human resources consultant for Proservice Hawaii, Puaokalani’s training time is often limited to early morning hours during the workweek and on weekends. But she doesn’t mind the early training time because she is able to capture views of some of Hualalai’s most awe-inspiring sunrises while swimming amidst a playful pod of dolphins, or biking and running with her husband. That in its self makes getting up early worth the effort. It is her passion.
“I love being outside because I work indoors all day,” said the 46-year old. “I love swimming in the ocean and I love running outside. And being able to train together with a partner makes it so much better.”
However, Puaokalani admits that having years of racing experience does not prevent her from feeling some unwanted pre-race jitters before toeing the line.
“About 2-3 years ago I was at a Peaman race and I began to have some anxiety at the start of the swim,” she said. “Once the race started my heart was beating really fast and I actually had thoughts about turning around. So doing these events has helped to make these feelings more of a distant memory. It also helps me deal with the nervousness I feel before some of the bigger events and races.”
The 24th annual Springtime Triathlon featured a 1/2-mile swim in Kailua Bay, a 15-mile hilly bike course and a 6-mile run.
First to exit the water was a finned Adam Ankrum in a time of 15 minutes and 28 seconds, followed by Kris Kiser who also used fins (15:34), Josiah Randerson (15:38), and last month’s Wintertime Sprint champion, Dan Gampon (15:54).
Once on the 15-mile, 3-loop hilly bike course, Ankrum used his bike strength to extend his lead, leaving the rest of the field on a high chase. Ankrum then continued to push himself over the 6-mile run to win in a stellar time of 1:41:09.
Next to cross the finish line was Gampon in 1:43:44, leaving Kiser, Jeremy Withrow, and Jacob Head all battling it out for third place.
In an exciting race back to the Kailua Pier, Head, who competed in last year’s Hawaii IRONMAN World Championships, used his run speed to pass Withrow and then Kiser to claim third in a time of 1:54:02. Kiser followed next in 1:54:16, with Withrow rounding out the men’s top five in 1:54:37.
In the women’s division, Puaokalani led wire-to-wire to win her second Team Mango title in 2:08:05. A distant second was Jelena Skopinceva in 2:18:03, with Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s cross country and track and field standout, Ada Benson, completing her first triathlon in a great time of 2:34:52 for third.
“I felt pretty good and it was such a beautiful day,” Puaokalani said. “One of the prettier spots was out on the run where you could see the ocean and there was no vog. I felt strong on the run but for me, I’m always racing myself and go with how I feel.”