Call me at 938-2296 if our simple event confuses you.
In February 1981, the Ford Ironman World Championship made its debut on the Big Island. Since then, the growth has been astronomical in all areas of the event and the sport of triathlon.
With the Ironman world championship now firmly established in October, Team Mango has filled the gap in February with three triathlons in one month. The Springtime Triathlon kicked off our triathlon season here in Hawaii, and just one week later on Sunday, Feb. 12, the Mango crew was back at it, going full force with the Monster and Mini Monster triathlons.
The Monster definitely is a beast of a race, with a 2.4-mile swim in Kailua Bay, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26-mile run. In its first year (2011), only one person finished the race in individual competition. This year, three men and one woman endured the daunting challenge.
Laurie Beers held the lead after the swim and was right with Daniel Brandis and Edde Kanai as they finished the bike. Brandis had the fastest time of 5 hours, 11 minutes, 44 seconds, which got him to the line with a winning time of 13:49:15. Beers followed in second overall with the top women’s time of 14:20:30. Kanai took third in 14:33:01. Caleb Westfall Sr. had the day’s fastest run of 5:07:28 and crossed the fabulous finish line in 15:04:43.
The Mini Monster race was mini in name only as the group of almost two dozen individuals and a dozen relay teams took on a 1.2-mile swim, 54-mile bike ride and 13-mile run. The swimmers exited the ocean, with relay team members Aimee Kolman (28:24) and Kirk Mitchell (29:18) in the lead. Right behind them were the top individuals, Thomas Vonach (29:26) and Tony Frost (29:34). The ladies solo leader, Andrea Bess, wrapped up the front five with a solid time of 32:48.
In the individual race, Vonach really put the hammer down on the bike and clocked the fastest solo or relay ride of the day with a time of 2:16:03. He then followed up his awesome ride with by far the day’s fastest run time. Vonach powered the 13-mile course in 1:22:51 and crossed the line with a new record time of 4:08:20.
Jan Trojanski ran past Frost to take second overall in 4:36:29. Frost followed in third at 4:37:52. Bess extended her lead throughout the bike and run to finish with a terrific first-place women’s time of 4:43:51.
Her outstanding effort placed her fourth overall. Michael DeCarli, who is very consistently in the top five of most Frozen Pea Productions and Team Mango events, clocked in at 4:50:13 to take fourth for the guys and fifth overall. Mike Peerless finished next to complete the men’s top five.
Susan Nixon followed Bess in the women’s race with a 10th overall time of 6:05:46. Tracy Hendershot was next at 6:30:16. Wendy Minor rounded out the ladies elite with her 14th overall time of 6:33:02. The finned crown went to Albert Martinez in 7:50:13.
Kirk Mitchell’s team hung on to take the Mini Monster relay crown in 5:01:07. Pam Miller (swim), Dave Pratt (bike) and Shirley Pratt (run) earned second place at 5:12:55. Third went to Lori Montgomery (swim) and Jeremy Withrow (bike and run) with their time of 5:15:13.
Like all of our local events, the Monster and Mini Monster relied heavily on a big group of volunteers. As usual, Carl Koomoa and his Team Mango group did a great job of supporting everyone through a tough event. This past Sunday, the Mango crew put on its annual Sprint Triathlon, and I will share the details when my pea brain can unscramble them.
Also this past Sunday, our chronologically blessed athletes got to strut their stuff in one- and 3.1-mile races at the Senior Strut. A recreation technician for Hawaii County’s Elderly Activities Division drew a fun group of almost three dozen runners and walkers. I was flattered that our Peaman events helped inspire Kelly Hudik to put on the event. I really think it’s great when we can honor and respect our elders, who have done so much to shape our community and our lives.
While all participants enjoyed a day of health and fitness, Pammer Kidani and Orestes Barrios ran their way to victories in the 3.1-miler. In the one-miler Sandy Hild and Jim Gibbons made their way to the line the fastest.
On Sunday, we can all look forward to honoring the memory of one of my all time favorite pea-ple, Zak Harvey. The event held in his honor will be the Zoomin’ Zak Plunge and Plod Biathlon.
The half-mile swim and 3.9-mile run/walk, and the 200-yard swim and one-mile run/walk both start around 8:03 a.m.
No entry fees, no sign-ups, just fun and also remembering the spirit and energy of Zak, who passed away in his 20s from Down syndrome.
We will always honor him with this event, and I will continuously remind myself to be as honest, open and enthusiastic as he was.
Call me at 938-2296 if our simple event confuses you.