Tag Archives: Ironman

Ironman 70.3

Going the other way at Ironman 70.3Approaching the turn at Ironman 70.3Last Saturday was the Ironman 70.3 race on the island. Unlike the Ironman world championship, held here in October, the 70.3 series covers half the distance. That means there’s a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. However, as with the longer race, Hawi is the turnaround point on the bike leg, so I ambled down to take a look.

Top: Racers heading in opposite directions shortly before/after the turnaround.
Middle: Slowing to make the turn.
Below: Bottles and trash can only be dropped in certain areas, where volunteers quickly pick them up for disposal or recycling.

I figure that if they’re doing a half distance race, it can’t be longer before they offer other shorter versions. I’m waiting until they get down to a one sixty-fourth Ironman and then I’m racing. Still a little worried about the run though.

Passing cyclists at Ironman 70.3

Ironman follow up

Sarah Piampiano of the sweats up the hill toward Hawi.Cyclists duke it out in the Ironman World Championship.Tools of the cyclist's trade on the bike of Mike Blackburn.

Here are more photos from last weekend’s Ironman World Championship race.

Top: Sarah Piampiano of the sweats up the hill toward Hawi.

Second photo: Tessa Kortekaas, Karen Steurs, and Lisa Tyack duke it out on the way to the cycling turnaround in Hawi.

Third photo: Tools of the trade on the bike of Mike Blackburn.

Fourth photo: Christian Godtfredsen zips downhill. Many of the riders would go long distances with their heads down like this. If it were me I would undoubtedly veer off the road into a tree.

Fifth photo: Robert Kenneth and Asbjoern Bakken push uphill and into a headwind.

Bottom: A long line of cyclists straggle up the slope toward Hawi. Around this point the hill eases, but the headwinds picked up.

Robert Kenneth and Asbjoern Bakken push uphill and into a headwind.A long line of cyclists straggle up the slope toward Hawi.

2017 Ironman World Championship

The leaders in the 2017 Ironman World Championship approach Hawi.Bike pedals at 2017 Ironman World Championship.Lionel Sanders competes in the 2017 Ironman World Championship.Bentley Walker competes in the 2017 Ironman World Championship.

Yesterday was the Ironman World Championship race on the island. The race, comprising of a 2 mile swim, a 110 mile bike ride, and a running marathon, starts and ends in Kailua Kona. I usually check in with the race in the vicinity of the bike leg turnaround at Hawi.

Top: The race leaders head up the hill toward the turnaround, accompanied by support vehicles, race marshals, and cameramen.

Second photo: Pumping the pedals is hard work, but can be colorful.

Third photo: Lionel Sanders of Canada led the race at this point, but lost the lead before he got back to this spot on the return journey. However, he retook the lead later and only lost it a couple of miles from the marathon finish, to Patrick Lange of Germany.

Fourth photo: Bentley Walker of the United States digs deep approaching the turnaround at Hawi.

Bottom: Like Sanders, Lucy Charles of Great Britain led the women’s race heading toward Hawi, but she, too, ultimately finished second, behind Daniela Ryf of Switzerland. Charles and Lauren Brandon of the United States were well clear of the rest of the women’s field at this point.

The leaders in the women's race in 2017 Ironman World Championship approach Hawi.

Signs: Have mercy

Sign seen during the IRONMAN world championship on the Big Island.
I enjoyed the message in front of the local Catholic church during the recent IRONMAN race, which is a decidedly merciless event consisting of a 2.4 mile open-water swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon run. Looks like someone might be about to have a problem with his bike chain, too.

For more information about IRONMAN, go to Ironman.com.

IRONMAN wrap

IRONMAN competitors pull over to wait out time penalties they’ve been given by race marshalsA support person carries spare wheels at the IRONMAN world championship on the Big Island.
A final few photos from last weekend’s IRONMAN world championship here on the Big Island.

Above, competitors pull over to wait out time penalties they’ve been given by race marshals. For cyclists, the violations are usually drafting violations.

Second, one of my favorite IRONMAN participants, the wheeler-dealer. I like to think this support guy rides the course shouting, “Wheels, we got wheels. Get your wheels here.” Sadly, every time I’ve seen him, he’s always been very quiet and with this same inscrutable expression.

Bottom, a rider whizzes past tropical foliage on the way out of Hawi.

For more information about IRONMAN, go to Ironman.com.

An IRONMAN rider whizzes past tropical foliage on the way out of Hawi

IRONMAN feeding frenzy

Michael Weiss of Austria and Tim O'Donnell of the U.S.A. take on water at the IRONMAN world championship
Food bags ready for distribution at the IRONMAN world championship
Camilla Pedersen of Denmark receiving her bag from one of the Ironman volunteers
Camilla Pedersen of Denmark receiving her bag from one of the Ironman volunteers


Nutrition and hydration are key elements for IRONMAN competitors. There are aid stations at regular intervals along the course and at some of these it’s possible to stash a goody bag of personal favorites (within legal limits of course). The photo at right shows these bags arranged by number, ready for distribution.

Most of the competitors will have to stop to pick up their bags, but the professionals, going through first, will (hopefully) be handed theirs while on the move. The photos below show Camilla Pedersen of Denmark receiving her bag from one of the IRONMAN volunteers.

In the top photo, Michael Weiss of Austria and Tim O’Donnell of the U.S.A. show they’re ready should the IRONMAN organizers decide to award bonus points for synchronized water bottle use.

For more information about IRONMAN, go to Ironman.com.

IRONMAN: The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat

Daniela Ryf of Switzerland powers out of Hawi at IRONMAN 2016
Yesterday saw the world championship for the IRONMAN triathlon taking place on the Big Island.

In the top photo, Daniela Ryf of Switzerland powers out of Hawi after the turnaround of the cycling leg. Only another 50+ miles of cycling to go, oh and running a marathon. She went on to win the women’s event in 8 hours, 46 minutes, 46 seconds, a new course record.

The events is not all fun and games however. Below, Tim Reed of Australia looks dejected as he walks his bike back into Hawi after withdrawing from the event. Not sure what the reason was, but the bike looked OK.

For more information about IRONMAN, go to Ironman.com.
ironman-2016-tim-reed