On Sunday, Frozen Pea Productions took a field trip up to Kaloko Drive for its Pedal Till Ya Puke, Run Till Ya Ralph, Papa Pea Plod and Mad Dog Mile.
On Sunday, Frozen Pea Productions took a field trip up to Kaloko Drive for its Pedal Till Ya Puke, Run Till Ya Ralph, Papa Pea Plod and Mad Dog Mile.
This race is nothing like the normal FPP races that are usually swim/run biathlons.
Anyone who lives in Kaloko or has driven up there knows it is not the most ideal workout for most athletes, but these athletes are extraordinary, and the looming hill failed to make anyone puke or ralph (that I know of) during the climb.
The bikers and runners competing in the 6.5-mile race started at the bottom of the road at 8 a.m. In this race, the first half is more tolerable than the second — but every bit of it is hard, physically and mentally. Even with the conditions, athletes broke records from 17 years ago. Local athlete Penn Henderson won the first-place bragging rights and broke the 1995 Pedal Till Ya Puke record of 40 minutes flat by almost 2 minutes, riding for a total time of 38:08. Henderson can now call himself King of the Hill for his pea-riffic performance in the 6.5-mile bike ride.
His wife, Rani Tanimoto, won the bragging rights for the women and fifth overall with a total time of 50:21. You two are truly amazing athletes. Tai Scarbrough took second in the Pedal Till Ya Puke with a time of 43:13, and Sean Maynard was close behind in 45:41.
Taking second for the women and 11th overall was Shirley Pratt with a time of 1:02:01. No too far behind was the women’s third-place finisher, Higs Miller, with a time of 1:15:04.
In the Run Till Ya Ralph 6.5-mile race, Jason Braswell finished first with a super speedy time of 59:01. Climbing into second place was Karl “Mad Dog” Honma at 59:42, and Jon Jokiel took third in 1:04:23.
Alexandra Herd claimed first for the women, running a 1:13:07. Hawaii Prep cross-country runner Zoe Sims finished second in 1:25:06, and Linda Goeth was third in 1:29:22.
In the Papa Pea Plod 3.5-mile run, the competitors had a steep climb from the very first step. Ryan Porche claimed first place in the Plod with a time of 38:05. Right on his heels was Elijah Lingenfelder, who took second with a time of 58:51. Mike and Ginger Schiff were close behind, closing out the top three for the men at 39:36.
Bragging rights of fastest woman in the plod go to Amanda Schiff, who also took third place overall with a time of 39:21. Ciara Blaber (40:13) and Lori Montgomery (44:39) finished just after Schiff. Papa Pea plodded up the hill in the Papa Pea Plod under an hour with a total time of 58:09.
The 1-mile Mad Dog Mile started at the top of Kaloko, with racers going a half-mile down the road and then a half-mile back up the steep hill to the finish. The Mad Dog winner, Karl “Mad Dog” Honma, blasted through the mile in 7:29. Schiff, second overall and first for the women, completed the mile in 9:21. Michael T. DeCarli (12:12) placed second for the men, and Cort Sawaya took third with a time of 12:15.
In the women’s competition, Nori and June claimed second with a time of 10:52. Allyson Prater and Lexi DeCarli tied for third place in the women’s race, with both finishing in 12:12. Congratulations to all who participated in the calf-busting races in Kaloko. You guys are amazing athletes.
Coming up on Saturday, cyclists will test their strength and stamina in the 50-mile Sea to Stars cycling race, which begins at Mauna Lani Bay & Bungalows and ends at the Mauna Kea visitor center located at an elevation of 9,200 feet.
There will be a number of cyclists on Waikoloa Drive, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Saddle Road all day, so if you are planning on traveling on those roads, please be on the watch for cyclists. To register for this race or for more information, go to seatostars.net.
On Sunday, the Alii Challenge Swim, a 10-kilometer swim, will begin in Keauhou Bay and end at Kailua Pier. The swim start is 7:30 a.m.
On Aug. 18, the Rain Forest Runs will take place in Volcano Village. There will be a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k. The half marathon will begin at 7 a.m., and the other races will begin shortly after. To register for this race and for more information, go to volcanoartscenter.org.
On Aug. 19, Frozen Pea Productions will hold the Brown Bear Bash and Sunny Sprint, a 1/3-mile swim followed by a 3.1-mile run. Race start is 8:30 a.m. Hawaiian time near Kailua Pier. This is a free event and open to all.