More than 550 athletes crossed the finish line at Saturday’s Revel Kulia, an event that presented a downhill, point-to-point marathon and half marathon race.
Garnering a lot of attention from its inaugural year on the Big Island last March, the incredibly fast and beautiful course featured a 5,548-foot drop in elevation with the marathon beginning at Waikii Ranch, and the half marathon starting two-miles north from the top of Waikoloa Road. Both races finished near the bottom of Waikoloa Road.
Taking gold in the marathon men’s division was Paul Terranova, who blazed the course in a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 10 seconds. Not too far behind were Jay De La Cruz and our top Big Islander, David Wild, who finished second and third in 2:51:56 and 2:52:30 respectively.
The women’s division equally proved to be competitive.
Kamie Miller won the women’s marathon race with her speedy time of 3:08:37. Tonnu Xuanhuong was next in 3:18:39 — and barely held off Gilsdorf Cambria, who finished a few strides back in third, at 3:18:59.
The half marathon event also witnessed some great finishing times with Samuel Fradette winning the men’s race in a time of 1:17:58. Second and third place went to Tomasz Wawrzyniak and Adam Melson, who crossed the finish line in 1:21:54 and 1:22:59.
On the women’s side, it was Kristyn Smith who was the fastest to the line to win in a time of 1:23:40. Dana Hayden was next in 1:25:40, with Kara Levy rounding out the women’s top three in 1:32:08.
Wintertime Super Sprint Triathlon
The very next day, Team Mango Racing fanatics were back in action with the first triathlon of the year — the Wintertime Super Sprint Triathlon.
The eighth edition of the event featured a short 200-yard swim, followed by a hilly 6-mile bike course, and finishing with a 1.5-mile run on Alii Drive.
From a racing and training standpoint, Team Mango Racing event organizer, Carl “Gecko” Koomoa, explained that putting on a sprint triathlon in January benefits everyone.
“It’s really a transition race,” he said. “It’s for people who want to try a triathlon for the first time before jumping into a longer distance race, or for people who are training and want to keep their fitness up, or for people who took some time off like I did and are trying to get back into the swing of things. It’s just a great way to start off the New Year.”
And starting out with a sprint distance that takes less than an hour to complete is ideal.
Kailua-Kona’s Michael DeCarli made quick work out of the short course to claim top honors with his time of 32 minutes and 32 seconds. Just a minute back in second place was Daniel Hartong in 33:35, with Peaman sprinting to secure third place with his time of 34:33.
Midge Kerr pushed hard from start to finish to stay ahead of Lindsay Roth, taking the women’s crown with her time of 40:25. Roth followed in next at 41:46, with Maiki Cofer rounding out the women’s top three with her time of 56:09.
HURT Hawaii 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run
Sunday also witnessed four Big Islanders competing in, and finishing, the prestigious HURT (Hawaii Ultra Running Team) 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run on Oahu. Described as one of the most grueling and gnarly single-track trails in Hawaii, the 5-lap course navigated through the famous mountainous rainforest of Manoa, Makiki, and Nuuanu Valleys.
With elevation ranging from 300 to 1900 feet for a cumulative gain of 25,000 feet, participants traversed through muddy and rocky terrain, climbed over boulders, and crossed over twenty streams – all within a cut off time of 36 hours.
They don’t call it “HURT” for nothing, which is why only 63 people finished the rigorous 100-mile course out of the 125 that began the journey.
Winning male and female times went to Trevor Fuchs from Ogden, Utah, who finished in a time of 22 hours, 4 minutes and 9 seconds, and Honolulu’s Anna Albrecht in 28:55:50.
Of those finishing from the Big Island were Pahoa’s Justin Young, Kamuela’s Mark Ravaglia, and Bree Brown — all two-year veterans, and rookie Jacob Fansler of Kailua-Kona.
Young, who teaches high school math at Hawaii Academy of Arts &Science, was the first Big Islander to cross the finish line in a fabulous time of 29:17:44 (16th overall). It was Young’s second attempt at the grueling distance, improving upon his time from last year by whopping 2.5-hours.
Next to tough out the 100-mile trail course was Jacob Fansler with his time of 33:34:44 (35th overall). Fansler is known for winning last year’s Hilo to Volcano 50K Ultra Marathon and truly showed what he is made of at his debut on the HURT 100 circuit.
Also improving his time by 30-minutes from his first attempt last year was Mark Ravaglia – a high school math teacher and pole-vaulting coach at Hawaii Preparatory Academy who crossed the finish line in a great time of 34:21:13.
And making an impressive return to the HURT 100 circuit was Kahakai Elementary School’s fourth grade teacher, Brown, finishing in a time of 35:25:59 (56th overall). It’s mind boggling to think that only a year ago she could not walk due to having a broken leg. It just goes to show, nothing is impossible if you put your mind and heart to it.
Coming Up:
Sunday: Frozen Pea Productions presents Doc Ferren Hall of Fame Biathlon at Kaiakeakua Beach. Start time is 8:08 a.m. for the free ½ mile swim and 3.1-mile run. A LavaKids Pea Wee course of a 200-yard swim and 1-mile run is available for everyone. For more information contact Peaman at 938-2296.