No April Fools’ — it’s Lavaman time!
After three postponements since the last Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2019, the wait is finally over as today begins the weekend festivities with the Lavaman Health, Sports & Fitness Expo at the Hilton Waikoloa Village from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m., followed by the 6th Annual Lavaman Sunset 5K at 5:15 p.m. at the Queens Marketplace.
The excitement continues Saturday with the highly anticipated Lavakids Aquathlon and Keiki Dash, and the Lavaman Health, Sports & Fitness Expo for another day. Then the icing on the cake comes Sunday as competitive age-group athletes have a chance to battle for bragging rights to one of the most acclaimed races in the State.
Sunday’s 23rd Annual Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon — voted as the best party in triathlon by Triathlete Magazine — will begin with a 1.5K swim at beautiful Anaehoomalu Bay, known for its crescent shaped sandy beach and crystal-clear waters.
Athletes will then transition onto their bikes for a 40K out-and-back ride along the famed Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and then finish with a 10K run traveling through the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort, which includes a scenic mile beach trail all the way to the finish line.
Top age-group athletes on the start list include three past Lavaman winners. Most recognizable is former professional triathlete and nine-time women’s champion, Bree Wee. Wee, who currently teaches fourth-grade at Kahakai Elementary School, returns to the start line hoping to add a record 10th Lavaman title to her resume.
On the men’s side, Alaska native and 2017 Lavaman men’s champion, Jason Lamoreaux, and reigning 2019 champion, David Wild of Kailua-Kona, are among the 11 athletes registered in the men’s “open” field.
An estimated 1,400 participants are registered for the event — a total of 1,000 individuals and 125 relay teams. With Mayor Mitch Roth ending all emergency rules related to COVID-19 on February 28, including those that govern the size of social gatherings both indoors and outdoors, athletes and volunteers will once again enjoy the popular post-race beach barbeque party and awards ceremony.
And lastly, Lavaman is going green! Leading the effort to align with the event’s sustainability goals, Lavaman has a new partnership with Mananalu under the direction of Monica Rott Stone, who is the daughter-in-law to Lavaman race director and founder, Gerry Rott.
Mananalu is a water brand founded by actor Jason Momoa who is on a mission to eradicate single-use water bottles by replacing it with bottles made from 69% recycled aluminum. Lavaman will be providing filtered water for athletes to refill their water bottles that will replace approximately 2500 single-use plastic water bottles on the day of the event.
Good luck to all participating in this weekend’s 23rd annual Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon!