Everyone knows that when it comes to racing in Hilo two things are almost always a guarantee: Rain and the Wedeman(n) brothers.
Everyone knows that when it comes to racing in Hilo two things are almost always a guarantee: Rain and the Wedeman(n) brothers.
At Sunday’s 19th Annual Big Island International Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K and 2-mile run/walk events, nearly 1000 participants were doused by an early morning downpour – toeing the line with muddied, rain soaked shoes.
But if you ask Bob Wedeman and Joe Wedemann about Sunday’s rainy conditions they would say, “it’s just normal Hilo weather.”
As brothers, best friends, and race directors for two of Hilo’s most popular racing events – Bob, with The Big Island International Marathon (BIIM), and Joe, with the Hilo Triathlon – both have taken on an integral role within the community that has helped to transform the race scene along the Big Island’s windward side.
Bob, who is retired, took over the helm for the Hilo footraces when longtime race director, Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph passed away in 2013. While Joe, a Fire Equipment Operator for the Hawaii County Fire Department began Hilo’s first Triathlon in 2014 – an Olympic Distance event of a 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run.
In addition, Joe organizes his fun and free Decimal Man Sprint Series that consist of a .24-mile swim, 11.2-mile bike, and 2.6-mile run to introduce beginner athletes to triathlon, and has served as President for the BIIMA from 2013 to present.
Whether they are volunteers, participants, board members, and over the last few years, race directors, their active involvement with virtually all swim-bike-run events on the east side has garnered much respect and admiration by the community.
As busy as they are, Bob and Joe took some time to discuss their thoughts on some challenges and rewards that come with the events, their devotion to the community and each other, and a fun story that goes with their last names.
Q: What would you say are the most challenging aspects to putting on an event as large as the Hilo Marathon or as complex as the Hilo Triathlon?
Bob: The biggest challenge is to get all 450 volunteers together and on the same page. We have the best volunteers, but it is a challenge. I love them all like family.
Joe: For me personally, all of the unpaid help are the most challenging parts of being a race director. Don’t get me wrong, the volunteers are what make these events successful, but unfortunately, life’s little problems come up and pull them in many different directions, which mean unexpected cancellations and/or last minute changes and “no shows.” It’s the last minute changes that make me scramble to get things done. Without those changes, everything would run much smoother.
This year, Mother Nature brought 10-foot surf into Hilo Bayfront, which brought huge rocks and surf onto Bayfront Highway. State roads closed Bayfront highway Friday night and couldn’t guarantee whether it would be safe for the runners Sunday morning. This was an easy decision for me. Close off that part of the course, redirect runners around the disaster, apologize to and inform the runners at the marathon start, and redirect the volunteers. The most difficult part was “change” for the volunteers. I ended up physically running out ten minutes before the race start, just ahead of the runners, to be “that guy” directing them through the detour.
Q: What is most rewarding?
Bob: The most rewarding is seeing all the runners trying to do their best and doing it. That doesn’t mean you break the world record, it means they did their best. I have a friend who was sick Sunday morning. She didn’t call in sick. She showed up to run the marathon and could only go until mile 16. That’s 16 miles of running and walking. She had to quit because she couldn’t go any further. That’s three miles more than a half marathon. She was so upset that she put on her shirt that said “NON-FINISHER”. To me she was the best runner there because of her effort and I told her so. The effort put in is what makes me happy. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 years old — this year’s youngest — or our oldest who was 91. They all did their best and should be proud of it.
Joe: Usually, the compliments and thank yous from the finishers, especially the first time marathon/triathlon finishers. It makes you feel as though you have put on an event that personally changed an individual’s life. Knowing that without that event, that first timer may not have made those goals at that time in their life, and then may have never finished that chapter as many finishers only do one marathon or triathlon in their life.
Q: When one is race director, the other is just as involved. Describe this devotion to helping one another at community events?
Bob: Working with my little brother Joe, he is a hero to me. He is a fireman, good husband, a marathon finisher, a triathlon finisher, an IRONMAN, and just for fun rides around the island on a bike — not a motorbike, a pedal bike in 11 and a half hours. He is my brother, my best friend, and sometimes he thinks he’s my dad. That’s ok because when he was very little he even called me dad.
Joe: When I was about 5 years old, Bob (18) took me for a ride on a go-kart that he had built. Being a very sickly child and spending most of my early life in the hospital and doctor’s office, it was the most exciting thing in my life that I had participated in.
By the time I was 13, Bob started taking me to the go-kart races on the mainland. We raced for 14 more years before I gave it up and moved to Hawaii. In the beginning of our racing years, we both raced. After a few years, Bob felt that I would have a better chance at winning more if only I raced, and he “wrenched.” So, he gave up driving for me, so I could do better. I ended up with three season championships, four track records, and over 100 trophies (most first place).
Bob taught me everything I know about building engines, wrenching, strategies for driving, and more importantly, racing! We were the “Weedie Deedie Racing Team.”
Years later, I introduced Wayne to Bob when he moved here. Wayne Joseph instantly took a liking to Bob and they became friends. Shortly after that, Wayne became sick and Bob offered to help Wayne with some marathon paperwork. Bob visited Wayne weekly up until his passing in January 2013. Wayne had asked both of us to help continue the Hilo Marathon in case he couldn’t.
Because I was already a board member with BIIMA and the finish line director for the prior five years, I directed the 2013 marathon and Bob shadowed me.
Following that marathon, the board elected me as president, and Bob as race director for the year 2014. Since then, we have held those positions and continue to support each other in everything we can — two heads are better than one.
Q: People say 2014 was the worst year (weather wise) for the Hilo Marathon and Hilo Triathlon. Do you agree? What would be a memorable moment from that year?
Bob: The worst for me was two years ago, but that’s not the worst. The worst was maybe 10 years ago. The rain was so strong out on the scenic route that the runners had to run through six inches of water on some roads and bridges.
Joe: Besides every single runner asking us if the race was still on, the most memorable part was being all dressed up from the Carbo Dinner the night before and having to go to the start line in hurricane conditions and fight the losing battle of trying to hold down the canopies from blowing away. We eventually gave up the fight, lost all the canopies, and got to bed after 1 a.m., only to get up at 3 a.m. to start the day.
Q: What do you want participants to take away from your events?
Bob: It’s the people. Most of the runners are great people yet most of all, they are my friends. I have benefited from them. They welcome me with open arms from the very beginning. I feel very lucky to know them all.
Joe: The Aloha from the volunteers and the natural beauty of the East side of the Big Island.
Q: And lastly, why the two different spellings of your last name, Wedeman and Wedemann?
Bob: First, my way is the right way — I’m older so I’ve had it longer. It always makes me smile. I’ll let Joe tell you the story.
Joe: When I was about 15, I learned that the immigration office shortened my grandpa’s name by dropping the other “n” back in 1920. So I changed my name to honor him. Bob still disagrees that the (immigration office) still spelled it wrong saying that there is also an “i” in the name (Wiedemann) like the famous beer.
Together, the Wedeman(n) brothers have been on a great ride and there’s no stopping them. Their energetic spirit, passion for the sport, and commitment to continue offering the Big Island community first-class events will be here for many more years to come.
In honor of their mother, Emily Wedeman, who passed away from lung cancer, the Big Island Road Runners Club will host the Emily Wedeman 5 Mile Run at Coconut Island on Friday at 5 p.m.. All proceeds and donations will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information contact bigislandroadrunners@gmail.com.