The Hawaiian Ironman as I recall it is the greatest test of human endurance over one day. Yes, its an argument that can be debated and usually is over a couple of ales at the “Local”.

The Ironman Triathlon has a gravitational pull and something really special that lures the finest to the worlds most visited fishing, Golfing and Triathlon destination. If you have been then you will attest to that.

The beauty about it is that you have to earn your stripes, Qualify and prove that you deserve to be there, after all, we all race together.

Over the years the lava fields of the Kona coast has provided a back drop to races we all will never forget and some of the finest moments in the sports young history, from 89’s Ironwar to Julie Moss’s crawl to the line, which featured Australin Rohan Phillips, who waited for her and made sure she was fine.

This day though, the race contains 3-4 men or women who legitimately could walk away with it. Then there are 20 or so that will be close, perhaps knock on the door at some stage of the day, to have their doors blown off and back to reality, Kona can bite you when it wants, usually does relentlessly just to tell you, I’m still here! Its not the course, not the competition, it’s the Elements and atmosphere, the build up and hype that can fool you. After all, it fooled me year after year, I didn’t respect it, it bit me, I tried to bite back but it took 7 years, then, I finally tamed it.

The Course

 The swim: No Brainer. Its open, it’s deep and its simple. As you line up at Digme beach, new protocol is that you go over timing mats and all enter at the same point. The course is set straight out past the Kona Inn Shops at about 600-800meters into it. When training on the course, you will notice the red roofs on the left heading out, that is the Kona Inn. Further on the course at 1k is the Kona Beach Resort, Formerly the Hilton. The Hotel has a Steep ski slope looking ramp on top of the hotel that plummets toward the ocean to a horn shape finish to it. It’s easily seen again on the left heading out. Keeping a straight line, the turn-around is 200meters off the coast of the Sea Village Condominiums. On the way back you aim at the top of the Hotel King Kamehameha, its 6 story roofs are easily seen, my guess is that you want to follow the feet in front unless they are all over the place.

Upon exiting the swim you all are met by volunteers who help you stand and get going. Run up the ramp and into transition. The transition is easy to get around and I strongly recommend walking it and pre-meditating all your moves beforehand, a must do!

The Bike: Not quite a no Brainer. The course over the years has changed significantly over the past 5 years. No more Kona Surf, Old Airport, or going straight out of town. The course simply takes you on a mini Kona tour before heading out to Lava Fields. Grab your treddly and run and jump on it like me in the old Triathlon Grand Prix races, NOT, take your bike to the mount line and enjoy the first 6 miles. Man, its nuts, people everywhere and the last time for 170K that you’ll draw support from the crowd. You do get to see people at Kawaiihae but not many.

OK, ride up Palani road for 200m turn left and go out to the Old airport and turn right. Up to the Queen K and turn right, This has a nice little pinch at the top, gear right! Back to Palani road where you descend to the new hot corner at Kuakini and turn left, this is also a restricted hill, in saying that, it’s a no passing zone as the bottom of the hill is a hard left that needs attention.

Then it’s out to the Queen K again and do a U Beaut Uey! Turn around and come back to town in the tuck and enjoy your downhill before turning right again on Palani and climbing the famed road. Its only 300meters to the top but enjoy it as you go out and face the elements for the first time.

Once on the Queen K, its plain sailing, throw out the spinnaker and, OOPS, don’t throw out the spinnaker because you’ll be blown off the Island. Sometimes it gets a little nasty out there, sometimes not. Be prepared to tackle a little wind. The winds usually blows between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the two gi-normous Volcanic peaks the lurch over the Island. The winds can sometimes whip through unmercifully and give you a little wake up call. It’s also a nice section of the course with a view. The course is deceptively hilly with its flat sections. The first turn is at Kawaiihae, and then it’s an 18 mile, 29k mostly uphill test. There are only aid stations on this windy section but beautiful vistas provide and encouraging look at the most majestic ocean, giving you a break from concentration and not focusing all on the race, its tough but don’t walk away from this without taking it all in, after all, only one can win!

At Hawi, the turnaround is in town in the main street, nothing to it, do a uey and enjoy the people and head back to Kawaiihae. A simple left turn and an uphill mile in the baking heat to the crowd again bfore heading right on the queen K for the journey home.

To me, this is where the concentration needs to be first rate. Its undulating all the way home, especially through Scenic Hill. Just after the Waikaloa district with its lush Hotels and heliport, you start to climb, and it can be windy. At this stage nutrition is key.

The road then flattens out to the airport and then you are home and hosed. One little pimple to ascend into town before dropping into paradise again.

The Run

The run has also gone through some changes lately. You head out of transition and up Palani to Kuakini and turn right at hot corner and head toward Hualalai Road and go right down to the old Hot corner on the corner of Alii Drive. Alii Drive is also the end of the run that provides the dream of being a finisher, so this is just a tease! You run nealy 10 miles or 16k on it before going out to the Lava Fields. Alii Drive is lined with Condo’s Beautiful homes and fanatical spectators, this is must enjoy section and its compulsory to smile. At the St Peters Catholic Church, you do a uey and come back toward town. It really is beautiful along here and is mostly shaded. Its also a section that if your fast enough, you will see the leaders locked in battle as you wind back into town.

Follow your footsteps on the return to Palani and this time turn right and go UP! Its only a short 300meters but you’ll remember it as the hardest 300. Take it easy, again, enjoy the crowd and it’s a great place to meet your family and friends. At the top, turn left then its you and Lava Baby, that’s it. Its all relatively flat to the Energy lab. You go down into the energy Lab and run downhill to the beach where I always wanted to jump into the ocean and go right to the turnaround.