April 01, 2011

Lavaman Triathlon April 3: Hawaii's triathletes have big sandy flip-flops to fill

Let's see: Voted "Best Post-Race Party", one of Triathlete Magazine's Top 100 Triathlons, leis and lush vegetation everywhere, a world-class host resort...the competition to get registered in this race is nearly as fierce as the level of competition on race day. Sunday's race filled to capacity November 1, 2010. Demand is so high that "Registration for 2012 is tentatively scheduled to open in early summer," according to Race Director Gerry Rott.

The first-ever BOUS Team Hawaii was determined at Lavaman in 2005, consisting of Peter Hursty, a pilot returning to racing shape after a few years off, and relative newcomer Bree Wee. Bree was eighth place woman at Best of the U.S. that year, didn't race Lavaman while pregnant the next year, then caused jaws to drop with her 25-29 World Record 9:47:40 in her very first Ironman.

Now a pro, Bree headlines this year's Lavaman Elite race. Also registered Elite is Luis De La Torre, now 43 years old, a veteran of two Best of the U.S. championships. Luis has made the Top Ten in both BOUS appearances, taking 8th in 2008 and 9th in 2009. His 2009 teammate, Maggs Morris, also made a respectable showing, finishing 18th.

The Gulf waters and sugar sand beaches of Alabama Coastal should help whoever steps into those sandy footsteps feel right at home at this year's Championship. Stay tuned.