Hawi turnaround a battleground of Ironman exhaustion

October 11, 2009 - Hawi, Hawaii
VIDEO by David Corrigan
Full Story - http://bigislandvideonews.com/2009/10october/20091011ironman.htm

Kona is the Big Island town most associated with the Ironman World Championship, but one small town in North Kohala has a big role to play in the world famous triathlon.

The village of Hawi, 50 miles north of Kailua-Kona, is the midpoint turnaround for 112 mile bike ride portion of the contest, and contrasts with Kona's busy heart of the race with its intimate struggle against exhaustion.

Lava field beaten bikers were strewn all over boundary of the course, six hours into the grueling contest. Gatorade flew from volunteer's hands, and overheated athletes found refuge in tubs of water and under the shade of Hawi storefronts.

Despite all the drama in North Kohala, the signature moments still unfolded at the Kona finish line. In a virtual repeat of last year, the 2008 men's winner - Australian Craig Alexander - and Britain's Chrissie Wellington - the 2007 & 2008 women's champion - were both victorious on the day. Wellington shattered a course record for the women's division.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Ironman 2009
• Hawi
• Kona
• Big Island
• Hawaii
• triathlon
• biking

[rjvankirk726]

this is supposed to be a race

[tmdavinci]

all these people are not competitors!

[harrisoncallahan]

Doing an ironman is one thing, but on a single speed???!!! That guy really must be nuts

[spongeanator90]

nice