More than any other type of bike race, the individual time trial is regarded as one of the most challenging disciplines in the sport of cycling.
It is a race specifically designed to test every aspect of a rider’s physical and mental toughness. A race where there are no team tactics, no drafting, and no outside assistance from anyone else. Cyclists compete individually by starting on timed intervals instead of a mass start.
In the world of cycling, it is known as “the race of truth.”
Success in this event requires more than pure physical power alone. Mental stamina, patience, proper pacing, and a lot of grit are critical attributes necessary to excel.
Additionally, aerodynamic equipment and a more aero-body position can greatly aid in reducing wind resistance. This ultimately allows one to travel at faster speeds especially with the notorious Kona winds that tend to wreck havoc on the highway.
It really comes down to a simple formula: Those who are physically strong, mentally tough, and aerodynamically efficient will end up being the fastest riders of the day.
On Saturday, the Hawaii Cycling Club hosted the Prologue — a 10-mile individual time trial on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
While it may be unknown how many years the Hawaii Cycling Club has organized the Prologue cycling race, what’s known is the annual event continues to attract the most competitive and diverse group of cyclists — all eager to test their mettle on two wheels against the clock.
A total of 60 cyclists began at the bottom of Kaiminani Drive and headed 10-miles north, with participants starting individually on 30-second intervals to ensure an honest, no drafting-allowed race.
After the morning’s pedal pushing and quad-burning punishment was done and over with, it was Keauhou’s Penn Henderson who proved to be the morning’s fastest cyclist, finishing in a stellar time of 21 minutes and 57 seconds for an average speed of 27.9 miles per hour.
“I’m quite happy with the outcome,” Henderson said. “I was a bit nervous to be honest as it’s been a couple years since I’ve ridden my time trial bike. And I definitely had tough competition today so I knew there wasn’t any room for conservative pacing – I would need to push hard the whole way.”
Archived results dating back to 2007 show Henderson winning a total of nine Prologue races, with seven consecutive wins from 2008 through 2014 — the longest win streak in HCC history.
“I didn’t realize that I’ve done so many Prologue events,” Henderson laughed. “But it feels good that I can still be just as competitive as those early years.”
Kailua-Kona’s Sean Maynard pedaled hard to post the second fastest finishing time in 23:17 (26.3 mph), while Hilo’s Robert Patey kept it close to claim third at 23:23 (26.2 mph).
Worth mentioning was the hard fought battle for fourth where a mere four-tenths of a second separated Kailua-Kona’s Joe Fairchild and Holualoa’s Benjamin Torres – possibly the closest finish in Prologue race history. Fairchild finished in a time of 23:44, with Torres in fifth at 23:44.4.
On the women’s side, Kailua-Kona’s Laura Yamasaki won her first Prologue event in a great time of 28:11 (21.7 mph). Melissa Schad had the second fastest female time of 28:34 (21.4 mph), with Joni Heath in third at 30:09 (20.3 mph).
DeCarli Dip &Dash
A light drizzle, wintery breeze and overcast skies made it somewhat difficult for peaticipants to enter the chilly waters of Kaiakekua Beach at Sunday’s DeCarli Dip &Dash that featured a ½-mile swim and 3.5-mile run.
However, the cooler conditions didn’t seem to bother Michael DeCarli much as he busied himself unloading storage containers onto the Kailua Pier to help event organizer, Peaman, get everything ready for the morning Biathlon event.
“It’s pretty cool,” DeCarli said. “I never thought I’d have an event named after my family. It’s definitely special to be recognized like this in the community.”
DeCarli, along with his family of six — wife Christine, daughters Mercedes and Lexi, son Teagan and hanai son, Dan Gampon, have been staples at the monthly Peaman Biathlons for nearly a decade.
From setup to breakdown they do it all — marking the run turnaround and putting out cones, organizing the aid station, timing and signing out participants – the family works as a team to help make the event happen. They are the first to the Kailua Pier and the last to leave.
“We just do it, it’s not a want,” DeCarli said as he readied his own swim-run transition area. “We just enjoy it and enjoy being out here with everyone else.”
The morning action of splashing arms and legs in Kailua Bay and runners on Alii Drive, all began when Peaman yelled “3-2-1-GO!”
First back to the Kailua Pier in the fleet-footed 1-mile division was six-year old Cole Henderson, who claimed his second victory of the year in a swift time of 7 minutes and 48 seconds.
Also racing back toward the Kailua Pier were competitors in the LavaKids Pea Wee race that featured a short course 200-yard swim and 1-mile run. Shaysen Gaspar and Ellie Platter won the male and female divisions with their times of 12:54 and 14:26 respectively.
Meanwhile, finishing the ½-mile swim in the biathlon for the big kids were Peaman and Danny Becker. Both were side-by-side, battling for bragging rights of who would exit Kaiakeakua Beach in first before heading out on Alii Drive for the 3.5-mile run.
Peaman had the advantage, taking a more direct line toward the concrete stairs, but found himself struggling to place his feet in the sand as a current pushed him back. Becker noticed his chance and made a break for it – tongue out, arms pumping – but it wasn’t enough. Peaman exited first, with Becker in second.
Next up the concrete stairs was Holualoa’s Archer Ankrum, who was followed by a chase pack made up of Dustin Platter, Glee Jewell, Peter Buehlow and Mike DeCarli.
Out on the 3.5-mile run, Ankrum quickly worked his way to the front and never looked back. The 12-year old Kealakehe Middle School seventh grader turned heads in 2018 when he became the youngest victor to win a Peaman Biathlon event at just 10-years of age.
Sunday’s event marked his third Peaman Biathlon victory in a fabulous time of 39:44.
“It’s feels pretty good,” Ankrum said of his win. “My legs weren’t really tired (from participating in previous day’s HCC time trial), I felt pretty fresh since it’s different muscles.”
When asked if he felt surprised to take the lead so early Ankrum said, “No, I wasn’t surprised as I always catch Danny right away and Peaman normally holds me off for about half of the run, but I don’t think he was feeling that well today. Mike DeCarli was there but he was a good ways behind so I knew I had the win.”
Following Ankrum for second and third place were Buehlow and DeCarli with their times of 40:05 and 42:21 respectively.
Anna Thomas won gold in the women’s division with her time of 46:06. Glee Jewell took silver in 48:09, with Maureen Kearney in bronze at 50:13.
Eric Hernandez claimed the 3.5-mile run division in a blazing time of 20:52, while Team Ankrum, Archer and Laura, topped the Split Peas relay division with their combined time of 39:47.
Ankrum said he is on the Kona Aquatic swim team and is preparing for the upcoming State Age Group Short Course Swimming Championships on Oahu.
“I have a lot of endurance so I’m good at the longer distances, but I’m also a good backstroker. I really like to race and work hard. I like coming out to Peaman events because it’s a great community event.”
Coming Up
Sunday: Aloha Tri Sports presents the Hearts &Trails 10-Mile, 10K and 5K at the Makani Golf Course. Start time for the 10-mile event is 7:30 a.m., with the 10K and 5K beginning at 8 a.m. Early packet pickup begins today at Kona Sports Center from 2-5 p.m., with onsite packet pickup beginning tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. No race morning registrations available. For more information visit alohasportskona.com.
Sunday: Team Mango presents the Sprint Triathlon at the Kailua Pier. Start time is 7 a.m. for the 1/3-mile swim, 14-mile bike, and 2-mile sprint. For more information and registration details contact Carl Koomoa at 324-7252 or visit teammangoraces.org.
