World’s Best Athletes Gear Up For Premier Triathalon Event
If you like to swim, bike, and run, check out the 2009 Tinman Triathlon on July 26. The competition starts at Queen’s Beach Pier area in Waikīkī and ends at Kapiolani Park.
The Tinman originally began when some friends who wanted to do a triathlon and weren’t professional athletes who could do full time training. They were inspired by the Ironman Triathlon on the Big Island, and wanted to have an event on Oahu that regular athletes could enjoy. The four men competed only against each other and deemed it a great success.
Though it was started by some common athletes, the event now draws some of the world’s best, and does indeed have an “Elite” division. I enjoy it immensely because it still has that feeling that everyone is welcome, and we all root each other on. I usually stay right nearby to Kapiolani Park at high quality yet low price Honolulu Condominium, and the whole weekend becomes one of the most enjoyable times of year for me.
The Tinman Triathlon the action begins at 530 am with an 800-meter swim, first going east around a large buoy and then west to a another buoy and back to shore.
Next is the 40-kilometer bike ride beginning at the Kapiolani Park transition area and heading onto Kalakaua Avenue and then up Diamond Head Road and Kahala Avenue. After a route that includes parts of Kalanianaole Highway and numerous other streets, the ride eventually returns to Kalakaua Avenue and Kapiolani Park.
The 10-kilometer run then heads toward the Honolulu Zoo and eventually to Kahala Avenue, Diamond Head Road, and onto Kalakaua Avenue back into Kapiolani Park.
Aid stations along the triathlon course will provide support and hydration, and all finishers receive a commemorative award at the Kapiolani Park Pavilion. You have to be at least 15 years old to enter.
Athletes are urged to come early and set up the transition area and practice the swim course. Swim marshalls and lifeguards will be on hand in case you get into trouble or get too close to the reef.
All in all it is going to be another fun time in Honolulu enjoying great exercise with a wonderful group of athletes and volunteers. Great places to stay right nearby and for very affordable prices can be found through Hawaiian Beach Rentals,and they are also a very easy company to deal with and always provide high quality accommodations.