Nearly 1300 athletes will descend upon the beautiful Waikoloa Beach Resort on Sunday as the iconic Lavaman Olympic Distance Triathlon will celebrate 25th years of swim-bike-run.
The weekend festivities will begin Friday with the Lavaman Family, Health, Sports &Fitness Expo at the Hilton Waikoloa Village from 11 AM till 5 PM, followed by the 8th Annual Lavaman Sunset 5K Run at 5:15 PM at the Queens Marketplace.
The excitement continues Saturday with the highly anticipated LavaKids Aquathlon and Keiki Dash at 7:30 AM, and the Lavaman Health, Sports &Fitness Expo for another day. Finally, the main event comes Sunday when competitive age-group athletes get a chance to battle for bragging rights to one of the most acclaimed races in the State.
Voted as the best party in triathlon by Triathlete Magazine, the Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon will begin with a 1.5K swim at the 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 followed by a 10K run traveling through the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort.
Returning for his second year as race director since the 2022 passing of Lavaman and LavaKids founder and race director, Gerry Rott, is Perry Hacker, a 58-year old veteran marathoner and triathlete who has also managed several triathlons on the mainland.
Hacker currently splits his time between Colorado, Utah and Hawaii, and is finishing 25 years working at the University of Utah managing the University Guest House &Conference Center. One glance at his sports career highlights finishing over 30 marathons and 100 half marathons, completing three 100-mile trail ultras, 5-Ironman races, and twenty-five Ironman 70.3 triathlons.
Earlier in the week, Hacker shared his thoughts on being Lavaman’s race director, the unique aspects of the race, notable changes for this year’s event, and any tips or advice for first-timers.
Q: Being that this will be your second year as race director, what inspired you to take on the role of Lavaman race director? What do you find most rewarding about your role?
I had been visiting the Big Island since the early 90’s, and the Big Island and Lavaman have always had a special place in my heart. I also managed a few triathlons on the mainland. When Gerry passed away, a mutual friend of mine and the Rott family mentioned they were unsure how to move forward with Lavaman. I knew that such an iconic race had to continue. I met with Tyson and Erin Rott and a few of the other folks involved and we immediately connected, and the rest is history. The most rewarding part for me is the community. We have an amazing group of directors, volunteers and athletes. Seeing it all come together to foster sport in Hawaii is like nothing I’ve been involved with before. Also, I am proud of how much Lavaman gives back to the community. We donate to over 15 local non-profit organizations and youth groups. And with LavaKids, we work to bring sport to the youth of Hawaii.
Q: In your opinion, what makes Lavaman unique compared to other Olympic Distance events or triathlons you’ve been to?
I believe the setting is one of the best parts. Anaehoomalu Bay is such a beautiful spot, not to mention views of four of the five Hawaii island volcanoes, and of Maui just across the ocean. But even more special is our athletes. 40% are from Hawaii, and 66% of our athletes are over 50, many who have been racing Lavaman for years. I love listening to the stories they share with me. Lavaman has been a local island event for 25 years and is truly part of the community. Additionally, we have a youth Aquathon on Saturday for kids 7 – 14 which consists of a swim and run. We give shirts and awards just like the adult race. It’s such a fun event to be a part of.
Q: Can you highlight any notable changes or updates to the race course or format this year?
We try to keep Lavaman true to its roots, but we have made a few changes. This year we added a true Duathlon option. Athletes can choose to run a 3k instead of the swim, and then complete the bike and run. We also switched to a self-seeded rolling start as opposed to a wave start. This allows athletes to swim at a pace with other athletes and gets everyone in the water much quicker. Lavaman is the USAT Hawaii State Championship Race. This gives additional opportunities for athletes to qualify for age group nationals.
Q: What are the different race categories or divisions available and how many athletes are on the start list?
We have about 975 individual participants racing in the age group category (age group divisions are every 5 years), 20 in the high school division. We have 250 athletes racing on 150 relay teams (either 2 or 3 person), and 32 Duathletes.
Q: Can you share any tips or advice for first-time participants to ensure they have a successful and enjoyable race experience?
My number one piece of advice is to make sure to have fun, that is why we do what we do. In order to ensure that happens I can offer a few more tips: Attend the in-person race briefing on Saturday. This is a great time to learn all about the race logistics and ask any questions. Stay hydrated. Hawaii gets HOT, so ensure you are getting enough fluids before the swim, on the bike and on the run. Take advantage of our aid stations! Take it easy on the first half of the bike, it’s a nice climb, that way you can enjoy the amazing downhill back to transitions. On the run, watch your footing once you get on the trail along the water.
For more information about this weekend’s Lavaman Triathlon race, Lavaman Sunset 5K Run, LavaKids Aquathon, or the Lavaman Family, Health, Sports &Fitness Expo, visit their website at www.lavamantriathlon.com.