A Marathon for the Cure
Posted on Mar 21, 2011 under Big Island Events |Waikoloa’s Important Charity Race Returns for its 14th Year.
On Sunday morning, April 3, runners, bikers, volunteers, sponsors and fans from all over the world will converge for the annual Lavaman Triathlon. It starts with a challenging 9 mile swim in the Pacific Ocean at 7:30 a.m. in beautiful A Bay. Next is the Lavaman Triathlon bike race along Queen-K Highway which encompasses a portion of the Ironman World Champion course. Then the 10K run traverses a scenic route over lava fields, through the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort grounds, and along a coral beach path that ends in the sand. Following the race a fun celebration will take place under the coconut palms at A Bay Beach.
Lavaman Triathlon Waikoloa, held on the first weekend in April each year, is a national sponsor of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Michelle Weintraub, a runner in this year’s race, says Lavaman is something she decided she wanted to do. “My sister participated three years ago and I was there cheering her on. Now she will be cheering me on this year.” Michelle hooked up with Team in Training, who has raised over 1 billion dollars to help save the lives of cancer victims through critical research by sponsoring worldwide endurance sports training programs. “Team in Training helped get me started by providing a full training program and support. We have raised over $250,000 as a team this season, so that’s pretty neat.”
Along with its two main hotels, Waikoloa Beach Resort is blessed to have so many vacation rental options for participants who choose to stretch their visit beyond the main event. Michelle says, although Team in Training provides a hotel room for the main night, she decided to look into getting a condo for her remaining days: “It just seemed more affordable, more comfortable to go with this type of scenario, better for the rest of my family, and we have a kitchen. It’s just more comfortable, being all together and being able to hang out together, not having to worry about a bunch of kids running around. So we thought it was a good fit.”
Triathlon participants who were unable to get into this year’s race are encouraged to register for the August 28, 2011 Lavaman Keauhou. See the Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon Web site for details, or call 329-9718.
Leading up to the big event on Sunday, a new 5K Sunset Fun Run will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1. Registration will be held at 3:00 at Bike Works Beach ‘n Sports in Queens’ Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Resort. Lavaman Sunset is a fund raiser for PATH (Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii). Bike Works Beach ‘n Sports offers a full range of triathlon services, merchandise, information and support. For more action after the Friday race, see a live concert by the Hawaiian female trio Na Leo at Queens Bowl. Also, on Saturday, April 2, kids through age 16 may participate in the swim-and-run Lava Kids Aquathon.
Lavaman participants will find a range of vacation rental condominium choices at the Shores at Waikoloa or the Vista Waikoloa. Both properties are situated at the center of the Lavaman festival on Waikoloa Beach Drive and are within a short walk to A Bay. Call 808-886-7874 to find out more about what types of Waikoloa rental condos are available for your group.
