Team Mango Races held its Iron Mango Monster and Mini Monster triathlons Sunday in Kailua-Kona.
The Monster was a training run for an Ironman-distance race: a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and 26.2-mile run. The Mini-Monster was a training run for a half-Ironman-distance race: a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run.
All of the athletes started in the beautiful waters of Kailua Bay by swimming to the “King’s Buoy” at the 1.2-mile mark, just past Coconut Grove Marketplace (Monster participants swam two laps). Following the swim, the athletes mounted their bikes and took off onto famed Queen Kahahumanu Highway. Those in the Mini-Monster cycled just past the Waikoloa Road intersection and back to the transition area at the Alii Gardens Marketplace, and those racing in the Monster cycled up to Hawi and then back to the transition area.
The athletes then laced up their running shoes and headed out onto Palani Road for the 13.1-mile run. They turned on Kuakini Highway and headed north to the BMW dealership on Loloku Street. They then ran headed south on Kuakini Highway and down Palani Road before taking Alii Drive all the way to Kamehameha III Road. Finally, they turned around and headed north to the finish line at Alii Gardens Marketplace.
For those competing in the Monster, the run course was two laps.
Dene Sturm took first in the Monster, finishing with a total time of 13 hours, 10 minutes and 15 seconds. Kuba Wuls claimed second place (13:37:07), and Jim Moore was third (14:52:50).
Jairo Miche finished the Monster in 12:11:32 but only swam only 1.2 miles.
In the Monster relays, the team of Lori Montgomery (finned), Jay Plasman and Orestes Barrios finished first with an overall time of 14:32:33. The team of Daniel Brandis and Rob Van Geen was right behind in second (14:33:53).
In the Mini-Monster, Thomas Vonach took first place with a time of 4:21:28. Christopher Caswell finished second (4:38:21), and Jano Soto was third (4:40:30).
Finishing seventh overall and first for the women was Jeni Winegarner (5:01:44). Nancy Fedeyko claimed second (6:07:52), and Susan Nixon was third (6:11:28).
In the Mini-Monster relays, the team of Lance Armstrong, Bree Wee and Dana Hendry finished first place with an overall time of 4:50:25. Dave Pratt (finned) and Daniel Hodel placed second (5:04:01), and the team of Sarah Chang, Jason Braswell and Melissa Braswell was third (5:10:11).
Congratulations to all who competed in the Monster and Mini-Monster triathlons. What a big accomplishment. Team Mango Races would like to give a big mahalo to all the volunteers who helped make this race possible.
On Saturday, Hawaii Cycling Club will host a 10-mile time trial at 8 a.m. From the intersection of Kaiminani Drive and Queen Kahahumanu Highway, athletes will head north to the finish located one mile before the scenic point near Kiholo Bay. There is no entry fee, and registration will start one hour before the event.
On Sunday at 8:03 a.m. Hawaiian time, Frozen Pea Productions will host the Terrific Turtle Trudge, Dragon Dash and Golden Fox 1-mile Gallop at Kailua Pier. The distances for this race are: 332,640 inches (5.25 miles) for the Terrific Turtle Trudge, 126,720 inches (two miles) for the Dragon Dash and 63,360-inches for the Golden Fox 1-mile. The free run-only event is open to all who would like to be pea-ticipants in the fun. Strollers are always welcome.
On Feb. 24, Team Mango Races will host its Springtime Triathlon at Kailua Pier at 7 a.m. This training race will include a 1/3-mile swim, 14-mile bike and two-mile run. There is a small fee for this race. For more information, visit teammangoraces.com.
Hope to see you all out there. Until next time, happy training.
