Throngs of people, spectators and athletes, descended on Kailua Village before the sun rose over Hualālai on Saturday for the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Overnight rain lingered into the early morning hours, before eventually dissipating at around 10 a.m. Most of the day was overcast as everyone watched their phones or the large TV screen on Ali‘i Drive that showcased one of the greatest endurance triathlons in the world, tackled by more than 2,500 triathletes from around the world.
For those spectators taking a break from watching the race, they were found at restaurants like the Big Kahuna Beach Grill or strolling the shops of Ali‘i Drive.
After the professional athletes got their start on the 2.4-mile swim in the 140.6-mile triathlon, Michelle Mayer, from Utah, watched her husband Brooks Amiot walk into Kailua Bay with the men’s age group 60-64. She was all smiles and cheering him on from the sea wall before he made his plunge into the race.
Mayer said this was Amiot’s first Ironman World Championship in Kona and his sixth Ironman race overall.
She said being in Kona, “this is his dream come true.”
“He’s wanted to race Kona since he started in this sport, and he’s worked really hard to be here,” Mayer said. “I’m so proud of him.”
Mayer raced in Kona 10 years ago, so she knows what a grueling journey it is to train and tackle the swim, bike and run course on race day.
“It’s been a long journey to get here over the last few years,” she said. “I want to get him out of the swim and get him on his bike.”
Amiot ultimately finished the race in 14:38:18, according to the Ironman Tracker app.
After most of the athletes had transitioned onto the 112-mile bike course, Mikkel Erhardtsen, from Denmark, was walking around the Ironman course with his 3-year-old daughter Wilma on his shoulders. He was here supporting his sister-in-law’s third Ironman race, but her first world championship in Kona.
This was Erhardsten’s first time in Kona. He said he felt the event was well organized and enjoyed being able to cheer for his sister-in-law.
“There’s a lot of supporters; it’s quite fun,” he said.
Erhardtsen was looking forward to watching his sister-in-law cross the finish line and see the Ironman medal.
As the hours ticked on, the energy intensified as the professional races began to heat up for both the men and women. Mangus Ditlev of Denmark was leading the men, but with a little more than five miles to go in the triathlon, he began to wobble and at 4.5 miles he was passed by Vincent Luis of France, who ultimately claimed the top podium spot.
Luis was followed by Gustav Iden of Norway and Matthew Marquardt of the United States.
American Taylor Knibb was leading the women in the bike and run but ended up getting passed by Norwegian Solveig Løvseth, who captured the world champion title in Kona last year.
While it looked like Løvesth might make it back-to-back wins, she began to break down and collapsed with a lead of about 1 minute and 50 seconds. She fell down multiple times and got up to run, and then to walk.
This ultimately gave Knibb the chance she needed to get back in front and claim the top podium spot.
Germany’s Laura Philipp came in second and Julie Derron of Switzerland captured third. Løvseth did finish in the top 10.
After many of the male and female professionals crossed the finish line, 2007 Ironman finisher Mati Sapolu and volunteer this year, said she was looking forward to seeing a Hawaiian man, Davis Ka‘ahanui, from Waianae cross the finish line.
“It’s his first Ironman in his life, and he qualified,” The Samoan woman said proudly.
Ka‘ahanui was declared an Ironman with a time of 9:14:50. According to the Ironman app Tracker, he placed 29th in his age group for men 30-34.
Sapolu, who lives in Honolulu, has been watching Ironman for more than 15 years. She said she is the only woman from Samoa to ever finish the race.
“It’s a big thing for our country for me to participate in Ironman,” she said Saturday. “We’re still waiting for the second female.”
Sapolu was happy to see the men and women sharing the field again this year.
“I like to see couples racing together,” she said.
Geraldine Villasana Gomez was in Kona with her two young daughters, ages 6 and 3, to support her husband who was racing in the triathlon.
Gomez said her husband has completed 14 Ironman races and Kona will be his 15th.
At around 6:30 p.m., Gomez said her husband was still running, but he looked great.
Gomez has joined her husband as a cheerleader at other Ironman races around the world, including Korea, Argentina, Barcelona and Arizona.
She said Kona feels special because people work hard to be here.
“The people who are running here have put a lot of effort, a lot of perseverance, dedication and discipline,” Gomez said. “Despite everything, it’s always amazing to see [athletes] finishing the day and walking around with their medal.”
