Kids race Lavaman in Waikoloa
Story & photos by Cameron Elford
March 31, 2007 -- Tomorrow, some 800 athletes, including top pros Chris Lieto and Charlene Waldner, will tackle the Olympic-distance Lavaman course in Waikoloa, Hawaii -- 25 miles north of Kailua-Kona, the home of the Ford Ironman World Championship -- but today it was the kids' turn, with the seventh-annual Lavaman Kids' Aquathon -- a swim-run event at Waikoloa Beach.
The low-key swim-run on the Kohala Coast emphasized fun and health, with a caped Lavaman presiding over the race. The athletes were sent off in three waves: 6 & under; 7-10 years; and 11-14 years. After a short swim in the warm, calm, shallow bay, the run course circled a picturesque lagoon before winding up in the finishing chute lined with cheering spectators.
Below is a photo essay chronicling the event from the pre-race warm-up, led by coach Paul Regensburg and Lieto, to the medal ceremony.
For a short video of today's race, shot by Mark Overton,
click here. (Dial-up users: Please note that the linked video file is 49 megabytes.)
Check back tomorrow for a race report on the Lavaman. Congratulations to all the kids who raced today.
