A select group of athletes will have a home turf advantage at the IRONMAN World Championship on Saturday.
A select group of athletes will have a home turf advantage at the IRONMAN World Championship on Saturday.
Nearly 30 Big Island competitors will be swimming 2.4 miles in waters they are accustomed to, riding 112 miles out and back to Hawi with familiar lava fields in sight, and pounding away the final few strides of the marathon course on historic Alii Drive.
When you see a local athlete swimming, biking or running by on race day, make sure to give them a cheer. It’s going to be a long day, but well worth it to hear those legendary words “You are an IRONMAN” at the finish line.
West Hawaii Today’s sports department congratulates all the local athletes on racing in the world championship event and chasing their dreams.
Shirley Pratt, Kailua-Kona
Keish Doi, Kailua-Kona
Richard Duncan, Kailua-Kona
Vinnie Mikoloski, Kailua-Kona
Jay Plasman, Kailua-Kona
Billy Rickards, Waimea
Chuck Wood, Kailua-Kona
Steffen Brocks, Kailua-Kona
Travis Obrey, Kawaihae
Alexis Ballinger, Kailua-Kona
Jacob Head, Kailua-Kona
Adam Ankrum, Holualoa
Eddie Ombac, Hilo
Erik Basden, Kailua-Kona
Kevin Prater, Kailua-Kona
Gerd Weber, Kailua-Kona
Una Burns, Kailua-Kona
Cecilia Weber, Kailua-Kona
Susan Nixon, Waimea
Not pictured:
Alejandro Novoa
Sal Salmi
Sandoz Maurer
Jean Orlowski
Mike Sullivan
Sylvia Ravaglia
William Stedman
Thomas Wipp