Ironman Triathlon Is Next Saturday

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii —  Triathletes from around the world are converging on this seaside village for their final workouts for next Saturday’s grueling Ironman Triathlon World Championships.

“Activity on the streets has been increasing daily,” said race director Kay Rhead.

Police here have issued warnings to athletes and motorists, urging them to be on the lookout for each other along the busy bike and run courses.

“There is a lot more awareness now, and we have had fewer complaints this year than ever before,” said Rhead.

About 1,250 of nearly 4,000 applications were accepted for the race, which includes a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and 26.2-mile run. About 1,000 are expected to show up, Rhead said.

Some athletes have experienced difficulty with strong winds during training on the bicycle course. One was blown off her bike.

“The winds on the bike course are legendary,” Rhead said. “They seem to go hand-in-hand with the Ironman. I doubt this year will be any different.”

Heat also can be a factor, with temperatures reaching the high 80s during previous Ironman races.

“We recommend that the athletes arrive at least a week before the race to acclimate themselves to the heat and humidity,” Rhead said.

A new champion is assured. Dave Scott of Davis, Calif., who has won the last three Ironman races, will be a television commentator this year. He established a course record of 8:54:20 in 1984.

Canadian Sylviane Puntous, the women’s winner the past two years, and her twin sister, Patricia, a close runner-up both years, are not competing Saturday. Sylviane established a women’s record of 10:25:13 last year.

Scott Tinley of San Diego, who finished second to Scott the past three years and beat Scott in the February 1982 race, is considered the man to beat this year.