As the countdown begins toward next month’s Hawaii IRONMAN World Championships on Oct. 8, the thought of possibly competing in such an event can seem incomprehensible.
Indeed, there is no easy road to accomplishing such dreams, but the reality is that many IRONMAN finishers ultimately begin their pursuit as novice triathletes.
For countless Big Island competitors who have earned the distinction of “IRONMAN World Championship Finisher,” their journey in the sport of triathlon most likely began with a simple Peaman Biathlon event.
“We are the launching pad,” said event organizer, Peaman. “I see our youth and beginners start out with us, then move up to Team Mango and Lavaman, then Honu, and then IRONMAN. So a lot of people have gotten their start here. They get used to swimming in a group and it’s really all about the experience of mixing it up and learning your transitions. It’s really exciting to see so many kids and know that these are our future IRON people and I love that.”
One such story was Bree Wee’s start into the sport. Wee, who recently retired after eight years racing as a professional triathlete, began her career by participating in the fun, family-oriented swim-runs for several years as an amateur before turning pro, and eventually became a two-time IRONMAN champion.
Her achievement in the sport is a constant reminder that no dream is ever too big, and that it can all start by just being a Pea. Sunday’s event was named in honor of Wee and local elite triathlete, Luis De La Torre.
Clear skies and tranquil waters of Kailua Bay greeted nearly 100 participants who turned out for the Wee and DLT Whirled Peas Biathlon that featured a ¾-mile swim and 3.9-mile run.
Kealakekua’s Tori Oshiro battled Holualoa’s Aiden Ankrum for the win in the ¾-mile swim race, as the duo exited the water together and ran to the top of the cement stairs. Oshiro claimed first with a time of 19 minutes and 9 seconds, while Ankrum followed three seconds back in 19:12, then tagged his older brother, Alec, for the 3.9-mile relay run.
In the individual swim-run race for first, Sarah Sermons and her younger brother, Chris Chang, exited the water together and quickly sprinted down Alii Drive as the leaders.
Charging after them and needing to make up ground was multiple Peaman Biathlon Champion, Cody Ranfranz, who also won the previous day’s cross-country meet at Kamehameha, winning the boy’s 5K with his time of 17:39.
After a mile into the run, Ranfranz had no problem easing his way into first place and went on to claim victory with a time of 43:54.
I followed Ranfranz for second overall and first for the ladies in a time of 44:45, with Sermons coming in third at 45:56.
Excitement surrounded the Split Peas relay division as the Ankrum family dominated the top two spots and were separated by only two seconds.
Brothers Aiden (swim) and Alec (run) just held off the team of made up of their younger brother, Archer (swim), and dad Adam (run), with their times of 45:29 to 45:31 respectively.
Eleven-year old Aiden, who attends Kealakehe Intermediate School, said that someday he might want to do IRONMAN like his father who competed in last year’s world championship race.
“I think it’s pretty cool to be in IRONMAN especially since I grew up here, so it will probably be one of my goals,” Aiden said. “It was pretty cool being there (at last year’s IRONMAN) and watching him do a gigantic long swim and then a long bike and run. It was pretty cool to watch.”
Aiden said that he began participating in Peaman Biathlon events and progressed to Team Mango triathlons because he likes to keep active and enjoys competition.
“The next goal is to do Lavaman,” he said. “I’d like to do a relay when I turn 12 next year – me swim, my dad bike and my brother run. Then maybe someday I’ll do IRONMAN. But next month I’ll probably be helping out and cheering people on.”
Josiah Randerson is yet another young athlete motivated to make his mark in the sport of triathlon through his participation in the local monthly biathlon events.
“When I was three years old I saw an endless swimming pool and I saw someone swimming in it and from that moment on, I knew I would like swimming,” Randerson said. “I was 12 when we moved back to Kona and when we watched IRONMAN in 2013 – I knew I wanted to do it.”
Randerson said that he and his family stayed to till midnight watching competitors from all over the globe cross the finish line.
“I watched a person with a prosthetic leg finishing and it really moved me,” the 15-year old said.
That November, Randerson, who is the oldest of four boys in his family, turned out for his first Peaman Biathlon event and immediately was hooked. And so were his parents, Lynnette and Paul, who became instant volunteers to the free community biathlon event geared for families and children.
“So far I’ve done two Lavamans,” he said. “I like all three sports, but I would say running is my favorite because I started out with that when I was eight. My goal is I want to work my way up by doing ITU (International Triathlon Union) style racing and then do long distance stuff later just because I’m so young.”
In the Pea Wee race featuring a shorter 200-yard swim and 1-mile run, nine-year old Brandon Curry easily zipped through the course with his winning time of 11:46. Ali Wawner was next with her time of 13:44, with Ethan Schmitt rounding out the top three in 15:28.
Curry, who is affectionately known as “wild man Brandon” by family and friends for his free and active spirit, also shared his thoughts of possibly doing IRONMAN when he grows up as his father Mark, is a 2011 IRONMAN world championship finisher.
“I think I’ll do IRONMAN,” said Curry. “I’m a good runner and swimmer, and I like riding my bike.
When asked what he thought about his dad doing the 140.6-mile distance, Curry said; “I think he did a good job. I was proud of him. Makes me want to do it.”
The relay team of Ben Bergin (swim) and Mandy Minor (run) topped the Pea Wee Split Peas division with their time of 21:36, while Charlotte Kassis won the 200-yard swim in 6:03, and Nicholas White topped the 1-mile run in 8:04.
At the end of the morning was the passing of the Perpetual Pea – an honor bestowed over the last 29 years on individuals or families that represents love, family, friendships and the spirit of aloha for the Big Island community.
This time it was awarded to Bailey Byrne, who started out by doing a simple Peaman event and will now compete in his first IRONMAN World Championships on October 8th.
“It’s beyond belief pride for me,” said Peaman of the people who began their IRONMAN journey with a Peaman Biathlon. “I feel like we are all related like one big ohana. So when I see these guys and they work their way up to doing Lavaman, then Honu, then IRONMAN, I just cant describe in words how proud I am – it’s really what keeps me alive.”