Name: Daniel Hill
Age and occupation: 52 years old, self-employed auto mechanic
Quotable: “Just go and have fun!”
KAILUA-KONA — The VinFast Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona on October 26 will challenge the world’s top endurance athletes as they compete in triathlon’s most iconic race — Kona.
With five weeks to go, the professionals and top amateurs are deep into some of their most intense training regimens yet. Many top-tier athletes will dedicate nearly 40 hours per week to prepare for the grueling 2.4-mile swim in Kailua Bay, the 112-mile bike ride to Hawi and back, and a 26.2-mile run that makes up the iconic Ironman course. Even for experienced athletes, the road to Kona is grueling — both physically and mentally.
For the top amateur athletes, the demands are just as intense. Many will be logging 20- to 25-hour training weeks while juggling the responsibilities of family and a full-time job. The mental and physical strain during these final weeks of preparation is immense, especially for those experiencing their first Kona Ironman. It’s a time when athletes are not just preparing their bodies, but also pushing the limits of their endurance and mental fortitude to ensure they can handle one of the most demanding endurance events in the world.
This year’s event will feature a male-only field, marking another significant year in Ironman history as the races separate genders to provide a more tailored experience for the athletes. As the world watched the women take the stage in last year’s event, this time it’s the men who will take on the legendary Kona course under the scorching sun and unforgiving winds of the Big Island.
This year, Waikoloa’s Daniel Hill is gearing up to take on his second Ironman World Championship race. The 52-year old self-employed auto mechanic moved to Hawaii from Iowa six years ago and has been racking up top podium spots at almost every local cycling and running event. Hill grew up playing ice hockey and soccer and has children who are in high school and college.
Luckily, I caught up with Hill who shared everything from a typical training week, to what made him want to compete in Ironman, and what crossing the finish for a second time would mean for him.
Q: What does a typical work and training week look like for you?
I work full time, so I get to do run or swim before work and usually a bike ride after work. On the weekends me and my girlfriend Nina (Hasler) do longer runs, and then I do a longer bike ride alone or with my friend Melissa (Schad), who did several Kona Ironmans.
Q: What made you want to compete in the Ironman World Championships?
I am pretty hard-headed, and I just tell myself: You can do it! The atmosphere at the Kona Ironman World Championships is awesome. Also, I have great athletic friends like Melissa Schad and my friend Todd Marohnic, who are great inspiration.
Q: Is there an aspect of training that you enjoy the most? Which part the least? Are you being coached by someone?
It varies by day. I am not a good swimmer, so I have to force myself to swim. Even though my friend Melissa is a coach and has advice all the time, I am too hard-headed to take them even though I should.
Q: What will crossing the finish line mean to you?
Just like the last Kona Ironman World Championships (2022), I am just enjoying the course and really don’t care about the finish time. I just don’t want to get sick on the run, so I do take advice on nutrition even though I don’t always stick to it.