KAILUA-KONA — As they have for decades, bright-eyed and fun-loving “Pea-ticipants” will line up at Kailua Bay at 8:08 a.m. sharp on Sunday morning for the appropriately named Peamania swim-run, swim-run race.
The weekend’s race will mark Frozen Pea Production’s 392nd free, community-driven event, but will also serve as an anniversary of sorts for the series and its founder Sean “Peaman” Pagett.
Last November, Peamania celebrated the return of the monthly Peaman events after a short hiatus and a long and complicated legal spat between the race series and the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation that threatened the future of the events.
With that drama firmly in the rear-view mirror, Peaman said there’s been a rejuvenated optimism around the races.
“I saw a memory on social media and couldn’t believe it had already been a year,” Peaman said. “This was the first event where everything was settled and we were able to have fun again.”
The sticking point between Pagett and the DOBOR was getting permits for the events at Kailua Bay. Pagett was also facing a $10,000 fine for violation of state rules, which was eventually dismissed at a hearing.
What ended up being the game-changer was when former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi stepped in to take on the permitting and insurance process, giving the races a green light to make a comeback.
“He went so far above and beyond. We couldn’t have done it without him,” Pagett said at the time.
The permits were covered for the last year, so the anniversary also means its time to re-up. Pagett is working on getting next year’s event dates ironed out so he can get the process rolling to avoid any issues.
“We’re doing everything by the book,” Peaman said. “We always want to show up in a positive manner and seek a positive outcome.”
Peamania features a ¼-mile swim and 2-mile clockwise run, followed by another ¼-mile swim, 2-mile counter clockwise run/walk. It’s a little crazy, but that’s what makes it fun, Peaman said.
“Everybody likes it. It’s hard, but there are fun transitions and no worries,” Peaman said. “And people can do what works for them — no pressure. If we don’t have a division, we’ll make one. That’s the beauty of signing people out. We will include them in the results somehow.”
What has been a huge boost to momentum has been the recent youth turnout. Peaman said for the first time ever this year, the “Pea-wees” that raced in the shorter, LavaKids course outnumbered the adults.
“That by far has been the most positive part,” Peaman said. “I’m just so stoked on everything and am ready to put some more positive energy into it.”