The course
The course
A 1.2-mile swim kicks off the day at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, with the first wave of age group swimmers leaving at 6:44 a.m.
After the swim, athletes take on a 56-mile bike ride on the northern half of the famous IRONMAN World Championship course, along Queen Kaahumanu Highway, to Hawi and back to the Fairmont Orchid.
Wrapping up the day is a 13.1-mile run within the Fairmont Orchid grounds, finishing up at Honu Pointe.
An awards ceremony is slated for 4 p.m.
Traffic watch
In conjunction with the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, a temporary one-way traffic pattern will be in effect on Old Puako Road in the South Kohala District on Saturday.
On Saturday between 4:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., traffic will be allowed to flow only in the Kona, or southerly, direction on Old Puako Road between the entrance to Hapuna Beach State Park and the entrance to Waialea Bay, also know as 69 Beach.
Akoni Pule Highway between the Kawaihae/Waimea junction and just prior to Hawi town, as well as Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Mauna Lani Drive and the Kawaihae/Waimea Junction will be restricted except for local or resort traffic as safety permits from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Weather report
As of Thursday, the projected weather for the Kohala Coast on Saturday was partly cloudy skies during the morning hours, with occasional showers in the afternoon. There is a 30 percent chance of rain. The high temperature is expected to be 84 degrees. Winds will blow north northwest at 10-15 mph.