Few athletic events exemplify the challenge of endurance sports as much as Ironman. Born in Hawaii in 1978, this small, invitation only event has grown into a world-wide phenomenon, with dozens of races in many countries. When the race outgrew its Oahu home it moved to the sparsely populated east coast of the Island of Hawaii. The start and finish are in the city of Kona. The out and back bike course turns around in the tiny little town of Hawi. Along the way, starting on Highway 19, affectionately known as the Queen K, and again later when the route becomes Highway 270, fierce winds compressed by their passage between the volcanic slopes of Mauna Kea and the still active Mauna Loa blow across the road, making an already challenging course even harder.
In 2004 a new race was held on the Kona Coast. Named Honu, it grew to become what it is today, an Ironman 70.3. The action takes place north of Kona, but the bike follows the same route as the full Ironman, including the famous turn around in Hawi.
Heat is always a challenge on this course, while the wind is anything but reliable. On a good day it is a pleasant, cooling breeze, but there are days when it is enough to knock bikes off the road. From Kawaihai to Hawi the road is one long, unbroken climb. When the athletes make it to Hawi they can look forward to a long, fast descent, but they cannot relax or the winds of Hawi will do them in.
Email: Coach Gary