Kailua-Kona’s Jantzen Hing will finally make his mark among the 5,000 athletes who will compete at this year’s 2-day Hawaii Ironman World Championships on October 6 and 8. It’s been a moment he’s been waiting for since age seven when he witnessed his first world championships alongside his father.
Hing’s story is inspirational, and one that has now come full circle.
“When I was younger, I would tag along with my dad as he directed Ironman traffic as a special duty officer,” Hing said. “He had a tent set up by the OTEC security gate (at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority) and we decided to cheer on all of the athletes. After each athlete that passed, I felt inspired. I thought they were actual super humans out there.”
Hing’s father and grandfather, J.J. Hing and Joseph Hing, Sr., are well known in the Kona community for decades of unwavering service as special duty officers. Both frequently commit themselves to working long hours at large-scale events such as the Ironman World Championships, as well as other popular community events. Joseph Hing, Sr. was a special duty officer for Ironman since it moved to the Big Island in 1981, and continued annually until he retired just a few years ago.
Like most Keiki growing up with the Ironman World Championships happening right in their backyard, Hing’s experience with the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run evolved over the years. It began with his father, then to passing out water cups as a volunteer while cheering on athletes that seemed immortal to take on such a daunting task under the sun’s unforgiving heat.
“Since that day when I was seven, I had a strong desire to do Ironman because I wanted to be a super hero just like them,” said the 24-year old, who is employed at Hawaii Island Community Health Center in the medical records department. “I always loved super heroes, but to see them in real life doing super challenging stuff made me want to try it one day.”
Hing said that as he grew older, he tried just about every sport imaginable but struggled because he wasn’t the most coordinated. However, he quickly found his gift of speed, and running became his immediate sport of choice.
When he entered Kealakehe High School, he participated and excelled in cross-country and track. However, between the two seasons, Hing felt he needed another sport to keep himself in shape.
“I didn’t know what to do and I still had that thought of Ironman in the back of my mind,” he said. “I had two other friends that I ran with that also did the Kealakehe Triathlon Club. Originally, I thought I couldn’t afford it — I thought you had to purchase everything on your own, like the bike, just to be on the triathlon club. But when I found out that we had so much support for the club at our school, it made me want to do it. I loved how I felt after each workout. I just felt it brought me one step closer to doing Ironman one day.”
With the added sponsorship support from Gerry Rott, who is the founder and race director of the Lavaman Triathlon, Hing was able to compete in his first Lavaman Olympic Distance Triathlon relay doing the run segment in his junior year of high school, followed by finishing his first full Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon his senior year.
However, after graduating high school, Hing shared that his motivation to compete in triathlons waned.
“I lost motivation and then COVID happened, so I didn’t really have Ironman on my mind anymore,” he said. “I had a different purpose for running during that time which was just for mental wellness and to feel confident about myself. So, I wasn’t training for anything specific.
“Then it all came back with the Run for Hops in March of this year. I met all of these wonderful athletes called the Kona Tribe (Bree Wee, Skye Ombac, Makayla Ward, and Sierra Ponthier). Then they invited me to go running with them and eventually, they talked me into doing my first Honu.”
Hing said remembering his passion for the sport, he immediately signed up for Honu, also known as Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, but was placed on a waitlist. Then, five weeks prior to the June 4 race, he was chosen and given the green light to be at the start line.
“I actually felt more anxiety for Honu than for this upcoming Ironman,” Hing said. “I was under a lot of pressure. Mainly because I knew I had to make a certain time to place well for an Ironman spot. There were five other athletes from around the world in front of me, but I was the first Hawaii finisher in my age group (5:30:45). Now that I’ve earned it from Honu, Ironman is my reward and I’m going to enjoy it!”
Bree Wee, who was a professional triathlete on the Ironman circuit for eight years, was one of the many “superhero” athletes that Hing cheered for and passed water to while on the sidelines when he was younger. Now the encouragement and support are being returned 100%, coming full circle, as training partners and friends. Hing said that Wee has been like a mentor to him — and still an inspiration — offering valuable advice to help him get to the start line in one piece.
Hing added that his family is ecstatic as he will be the first person from his family to ever take on the incredible 140.6-mile challenge.
“Yes, they think I’m little crazy,” Hing laughed. “My mom said she never thought she’d ever know someone to do Ironman in our family, or personally know someone who does it at all. I am the first person in my family to do any type of running or triathlon.
“I made shirts for them so that I can recognize them while I’m running. They will be out there to support me and cheer me on for the run.”
Fast forward to present, Hing is putting the final touches on his training as he winds down to race day. This year’s event will be a 2-day race format happening on October 6 and 8. Hing will be toeing the line on Saturday, October 8 with the men.
“I’m feeling very calm because Ironman is the reward for all the hard work to get there. This is like the icing on the cake for me. I also feel excited but at the same time, I’m going to be sad once it’s over. I love waking up thinking about Ironman and once it’s over I think it’s going to be hard to wake up. I’m very excited for race day!”