KAILUA-KONA — As we approach the highly anticipated women’s VinFast Hawaii Ironman World Championships scheduled for October 14, the prospect of participating in the 140.6-mile triathlon event may appear daunting.
Indeed, embarking on a journey towards such a significant achievement is anything but simple. However, all Ironman finishers began their pursuit as novice triathletes.
For many Big Island athletes who proudly bear the title of “Ironman World Championship Finisher,” their journey in the sport of triathlon most likely began with a simple Peaman Biathlon event
“We are the launching pad,” said event organizer, Sean “Peaman” Pagett. “I see our youth and beginners start out with us, then move up to Lavaman, then Honu, and then Ironman. So, a lot of people have gotten their start right here with us.
“Our September event is called the Peaman International Biathlon because we usually have it right before the Ironman World Championships. People travel from all over the world to come here to do a little swim and run with us while enjoying the beauty of the island. However, people find that this would be more of a grass-roots experience of what the island of Hawaii is all about. It’s not just about Ironman, but more about a tight-knit community who enjoys getting together once a month to stay healthy and active while getting a feel of what triathlons are all about.”
In the long course biathlon event featuring a ½-mile swim in beautiful Kailua Bay followed by a 3.1-mile sprint on Alii Drive, Archer Ankrum claimed the overall title clocking in at an impressive time of 35 minutes and 15 seconds. Not too far behind and in second place was Peaman who finished in 39:40, followed by Tim Robinson in third at 47:59.
Peaman said he took a short trip to Oahu to compete in Saturday’s Kualakai Sunset Triathlon that featured a sprint distance of a 400-meter swim, 11-mile bike, followed by a 3-mile run. The four-time Hawaii Ironman World Championship finisher placed 11th overall and 1st place in the 60-64 age group with his time of 59:47.
“I felt strong,” Peaman said. “It’s nice to be able to race against some good competition, along with having a lot of kids who also participated. It’s really neat to see younger kids having their own swim waves — just another generation getting their feet wet in triathlon.”
The finned division went to Lori Montgomery who finished in 52:58, with the relay title going to Adam and Laura Ankrum with their combined time of 38:32.
In the LavaKids Pea Wee race, Genevieve Wallace blazed through the 200-yard swim and 1-mile run course to claim top honors with her time of 15 minutes and 24 seconds. Jason Wallace finished just a stride behind in 15:26, followed by Holualoa’s Emily Braswell in third place with a time of 17:36.
As for organizing the popular and free swim-runs over the last 36 years, Peaman said, “It’s what I love to do.”
“It’s more just the gratitude of being able to do it. Everyone has had their own challenges in life — be it mental, physical or spiritual. For me, having gone through several periods in my life where I was very limited, to be able to do things again, I feel like a kid again. The last 10 years of my life I really feel like I’m 10 years old again. To be going from laying in a bed, to now racing two events in two days and then putting on an event, I just feel tremendous gratitude that I’m still able to do it.”
The next Peaman Biathlon is scheduled for 8:08 a.m. on Sunday, October 29 at Kaiakeakua Beach. Volunteers and donations are welcomed for this free community event. For more information about the Peaman Biathlon series, contact Peaman at (808) 938-2296.
