For the last three decades, Peaman’s Thrash and Dash Biathlon held in October following the Ironman World Championships has been known as the “Ironman Fever Edition” and for good reason.
“We’ve always called the Thrash and Dash the Ironman Fever Edition because occasionally you get people who are motivated by watching Ironman so they figure, why not get a pair of goggles, a pair of new shoes, and off they go,” said Frozen Peas Production event organizer, Sean “Peaman” Pagett. “They go for a swim and a run that is so short — 1/3-mile swim and a 2-mile run — and so doable that you can do it without much training. It’s for those who just want to get their feet wet to see if they might want to do Ironman someday. I think it’s a great way to get started and when you get in the water, you do get thrashed around a bit.”
Sure enough, Sunday morning’s high tide and moderate surf set the scene for the “thrashing” of arms and legs from 100-plus participants who were eager for a fun and free dip and dash. Sunday’s event also featured a shorter LavaKids Pea Wee course of a 200-yard swim and 1-mile run.
In the long-course Thrash and Dash, four biathletes raced back to the sea wall to exit Kaiakeakua Beach as the lead group. Hawaii County Firefighter Keahi Parker hit the cement stairs in first followed by Flo Bögge, Peaman and Nathan Coates. Bögge was first to sprint out of transition with Peaman and Parker hot on his heels.
Having a quick transition is simply that, it’s quick. Most biathletes pause only for a few seconds to put on running shoes sans socks before hitting the run. However, Coates, who recently moved to Kona from Sydney, Australia, decided to don running shorts, a shirt, and a hat in transition.
The extra lag time didn’t seem to faze Coates who swiftly passed the three run leaders during the 2-mile segment to finish first in a fantastic time of 20 minutes and 33 seconds.
Bögge was next in a time of 21:21, with Peaman securing third place a few strides back in 21:46.
“It was a fun event – it’s always fun to hang with Peaman and do his events because it’s so great what he does for the community,” Bögge said. “I absolutely love Peaman events. I love the relaxed vibe but at the same time, there’s still some racing going on.”
Bögge, a professional triathlete-turn triathlon coach, said he hadn’t been running in over a year due to being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine.
“My doctor said no more running, that’s it, you are done, you have to retire,” he said. “I’ve been taking some medication that helps with the inflammation so I thought to give it a try today.
“My body felt good so I was happy. Today was just to have some fun and see how I feel. I want to get back into it — not in race mode — but just to enjoy it. I’m growing out of professional sports and into longevity sports. Yes, I am officially retired — I had to — there was just no way I could withstand professional training anymore. Right now, if I don’t take medication I wouldn’t be able to walk right as my spine is slowly degenerating. It’s a nasty thing and I was a bit depressed that I had to stop sports, but I’m slowly getting over it and I’m trying hard to see the bright side of life again.”
In the women’s division, Kailua-Kona’s Mady Parker was the female leader out of the swim, but over the 2-mile run course, Melissa Della Torre used her quick strides to take the lead, winning her first Peaman Biathlon victory in a time of 23:37.
“It was awesome,” Della Torre said of her race. “I definitely wasn’t expecting (to win) but I’ve had so much encouragement from the community and it’s such a happy occasion.”
Della Torre said she moved to Kona from Maine in May to take on a position at Pacific Hybrid at OTEC, and recently joined the Kona Aquatics Masters swim team. The 30-year old ran cross-country in college and played softball, and began competing in short distance triathlons. However, it wasn’t until she moved to Kona that she began swimming.
“I signed up for Honu next June so I’m excited,” she said.
Parker was the next female to cross the finish line in a time of 25:26, followed by Kela Queen in third at 26:09.
In the shorter LavaKids Pea Wee course featuring a 200-yard swim and 1-mile run, nine-year old Cole Henderson claimed his second consecutive overall LavaKids Pea Wee title with his time of 11:47. Fellow Kona Aquatics teammate and barefoot runner, Byron Eads, was next with his time of 13:32, followed by Jojo Yegge (16:39).
Holualoa’s Emily Braswell sprinted through the finish line to win the female division in a fabulous time of 15:57. Elise Bogle and Rebecca Bogle rounded out the next two female spots with their times of 16:19 and 16:20 respectively.
The next Peaman Biathlon event called “Peamania” is slated for Sunday, Nov. 27.