Over 100-peaticipants showed up bright and early for the first Peaman Biathlon event of the year — Let There Be Peas, Love, and Play — a half-mile swim in Kailua Bay followed by a 3.1-mile run on Alii Drive.
For many, the crisp, sunny morning turned out to be a reunion of sorts to catch up with old friends and rivals since the start of the New Year, while for others, it was a perfect opportunity to put their health and fitness resolutions into action.
For 17-year old Josiah Randerson, it seemed to be business as usual, but this time, he donned a wetsuit before entering Kaiakeakua Beach.
“I wanted to practice today for my first draft-legal pro-qualifying race in three weeks in San Diego,” said the Kealakehe High School senior. “It’s called Tritonman and it’s a sprint distance. I’m pretty nervous for it because I know Ben Kanute, the Olympian is racing it. So I want to practice wearing a wetsuit because the water is going to be really cold there.”
In its 13th year, Tritonman is an Elite Development Draft Legal Race that will feature a 750-meter swim, 21K-bike, and 5K run on Feb. 16. The only other recognizable name on the start list is Kapaau’s Malcolm Davis.
Aside from the camaraderie and new experience racing in a draft-legal format — a style of racing that allows athletes to draft off one another during the bike leg of a triathlon — Randerson explained that if he is one of the top three non-professional athletes to cross the finish line, and within eight percent of the winning time, then he will be able to obtain a pro card to become a professional triathlete.
“But I’m not expecting to get my pro card since this will be my first draft-legal race,” Randerson said. “That’s not my goal for this race. My goal is to finish, and not get lapped out on the bike because that disqualifies you from the race, and I want to have fun. My hope is by next year, or the year after that, to go to one of the pro-qualifying races and go for it.”
On Sunday, Randerson went for it, just like the week before when he won the State’s first triathlon event of the year, Team Mango’s Wintertime Sprint Triathlon, in a time of 30 minutes and 53 seconds.
He worked hard to keep up with a pair of Kona Aquatics swimming standouts over the half-mile swim, Duke Becker and Aiden Ankrum, who eventually exited Kaiakeakua Beach well ahead in 12:44 an 12:51 respectively.
Then came a chase pack of those gunning for the long course division title about 30 seconds back that included Keahi Parker, Peaman Peaman, Levi Childers and Randerson.
“The main goal was taking the wetsuit off after the swim,” Randerson said. “The swim felt great as I’ve been swimming every day, sometimes twice a day. And if I’m not swimming, then I’m doing arm strength exercises to get my arms stronger.”
From there, the hunt over the 3.1-mile run course on Alii Drive commenced as Randerson began to reel in competitors, one by one.
“I started the run feeling good and then after passing a few people, I caught Peaman right at the turnaround,” he said. “Then at the turn, I saw how close Vaclav (Seifert) was catching up, so I just booked it from there.”
Randerson won the first Peaman Biathlon event of the year in a stellar time of 34:05, with Seifert settling for second place in 34:26, and Peaman in third overall at 34:50.
In the women’s division, Mady Parker had a fun battle with Glee Jewell to claim her first Peaman Biathlon victory in a great time of 39:39. Jewell finished second in a time of 42:41, followed by Mercedes DeCarli in 43:40.
Parker, who is a 26-year old fourth grade teacher at Kahakai Elementary School, said that Sunday’s event was her third Peaman she’s entered and recently got married last November to Keahi Parker, who finished fifth overall in a time of 35:57.
“I wanted to finish as the first female, that was my goal,” Parker said. “I knew that Glee was strong in the water, but I did not know how close she was.
“I was ahead in the swim but at the swim turn, she just blew past me. I was probably four swimmers behind at the swim finish, but I think my transition was a little quicker because we started the run at the same time. Then I just took off as I wanted to beat her, but I knew that she has probably more endurance than I do. I wanted to make sure I got far enough ahead of her so if I started to die, then I would still have enough to pull through.”
Parker added that she is looking forward to participating in her first triathlon, Lavaman Waikoloa’s Olympic Distance Triathlon slated for March 31, as well as Kahakai Elementary’s Keiki Tri Fit on Feb. 6 — the school’s annual fundraiser.
“I’m training for Lavaman and it will be my first,” she said. “So I’ve been getting pointers from Bree (Brown) who is a fourth grade teacher as well, and just talking with the kids in my class as they have been very supportive, especially now trying to get ready for the Keiki Tri. We don’t know what country we are yet so lots of excitement going around.”
The Split Peas Relay Division was won by the fantastic duo, brothers Aiden (swim) and Alec (run) in a swift time of 31:56. Bud Johnson won the 3.1-mile run only division in 25:53, with Becker winning the half-mile swim in 12:44.
Kyle Randerson and Kaleigh Tracey claimed top honors in the LavaKids PeaWee short course featuring a 200-yard swim and 1-mile run with their times of 12:28 and 16:34 respectively.
In the PeaWee 1-mile running event, Kayah Lieto won in 8:33, with 5-year old Cole Henderson not too far back to take the male division in 9:05. Velma Patrick was the only person to compete in the 200-yard swim division with her time of 14:51.
Randerson summed up best why he enjoys participating in the free monthly swim-runs and what helped him to improve in the sport.
“It’s really about the community, it’s really fun, it’s being with the youth, and it’s about seeing the future of the sport grow.
“For me, it took five years to get to this point. Some people can get to it quickly but I think it’s because they are doing something everyday and not just showing up to the races. So consistency and staying determined are the two biggest things that helped me improve.”