FEATURE Jo Carritt-Triathlete
years ago, there have been a few tweaks - for athletes, fans, media and the corporate sponsors and investors who enable the sport to grow - in order to handle the logistics of what is arguably the biggest focus of our sport today. There are now literally hundreds
of Long Distance Triathlon events in this 3.8/180/42 format (taken from the distance in km of each discipline; swim/bike/run) around the world throughout the year, each with its own distinct characteristics and challenges…but it’s widely accepted that the unique characteristics of Ironman Hawaii set it apart from all others as both the ultimate challenge, and the ultimate celebration of the sport. For starters, Hawaii is hot and
humid. Without fail. There are occasional breaks from the searing sun, with rain, cloud cover or volcanic dust offering some relative respite, but it’s still always hot. All day and all night. That aforementioned volcanic dust
is key. If you know your geography, then you’ll be aware that the island is basically one large, live volcano. This means that from the ocean, there is only one way and that’s uphill! Kaahumanhu Highway which skirts the shore, cutting a long snaking line of ride out for 90km, and then back again. One long, straight road with the sun blazing overhead, with the black roads and surroundings radiating heat from below.
relative term, as the road does in fact noticeable gradient up to the half-way point at Hawi. Perhaps in a different context this would be described as an undulating course, but not here. enough, then it pales in comparison to the winds that one can encounter out on that exposed highway. To avoid having to cycle up that enormous volcano we must ride along the coast of the island, with nothing to protect us from the winds whipping across the largest expense of ocean in the world. Some years the wind is merely moderate, others it is severe enough to push riders right across the road. The winds typically build through the morning and then switch direction at around midday. Reward for the fastest athletes is that they may make
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it to the turn-point before the wind are usually treated to the hot air blast of headwind both on the way out, and even more intensely upon their return. I have ridden many races with
nothing beats you up on the bike like this combination of intense heat, strong winds (especially from the side) and - another distinguishing feature of the race at Kona – the every single athlete out on that course has won, or placed very highly in another Ironman race somewhere that year. There’s a very narrow spread of ability and for some, who are accustomed to leading a race and certainly not to being challenged or passed frequently, it’s a catalyst for driving the tempo up higher than usual. You may not expect to win the World Championships, but you are here to race and you’re not going give up a single place up easily! I have
push, push, push. Keep going. The last 3km includes a hill, but now you’re back into the town and the noise coming from the finish area is unbelievable!
The last 5km …
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