WAIKOLOA — The Hawaii Cycling Club once again ended another busy year of cycling events with the Big Island Time Trial Championships held a few weeks ago on December 9.
The Big Island Time Trial Championship, which has been historically popular among cyclists of all ages and fitness levels, managed to attract a competitive field of 24 participants. The cycling challenge was a demanding 15.6-mile route that began at the base of Kaiminani Drive and concluded just shy of the entrance to the Waikoloa Landfill. With the sun shining brightly and light trade winds, it was a perfect day for a time trial.
To maintain fairness in the race and eliminate any drafting advantage, the cyclists embarked on their individual time trials with a 30-second interval between each of them. This setup ensured that each competitor was pitted against the relentless ticking of the clock while they pushed their limits to achieve their personal bests.
As the morning progressed and the times were meticulously tallied, it was evident that Waikoloa’s Daniel Hill had successfully defended his title, marking an impressive fourth consecutive time trial win. Hill crossed the finish line in a fabulous time of 33 minutes and 51 seconds. Following closely behind, Sean Maynard secured the second position with his time of 35:07, while recent Hawaii Ironman World Championship finisher, Laura Birse, emerged as the top female competitor finishing in the third overall spot in a speedy time of 38:07.
Rounding out the men’s top three was Tobias Olney in 38:49, with Laura Yamasaki and Katie Pawelski securing second and third place in the women’s division with their times of 42:52 and 47:19 respectively.
By the end of the morning, the Big Island Time Trial Championships once again proved to be an exciting event that showcased the dedication and skill of all participants. With the 2023 year coming to a close, everyone can look forward to the Hawaii Cycling Club’s 2024 race calendar! For more information about upcoming cycling events visit their website at www.hawaiicyclingclub.com.