The three-day, 320-mile Ultraman World Championship kicked off Friday morning at Kailua Pier.
After Day 1 of the competition where athletes competed in a 6.2-mile swim and a 90-mile bike ride that started in Keauhou and wrapped up in Volcanoes National Park, Rob Gray has the early lead with a time of 7 hours, 29 minutes and 54 seconds. He is followed by Jeremy Howard (7:46:37) and Arnaud Selukov (8:08:39).
Steffi Steinberg is the top female competitor with a time of 9:18:42, placing 12th overall. She is followed by Jessica Deree (10:23:07) and Fiona Siemelink (10:47:55).
Gray, an endurance coach from Boulder, Colorado, is competing in his third Ultraman World Championship.
“For me, Ultraman represents the true test of physical capability, character and teamwork,” Gray said on his bio page at ultramanlive.com. “To be successful, you need to be very well prepared physically, logistically, and your team needs to embody the true sense of Ohana, acting together as a highly-effective family unit to achieve your goals.”
Gray is crewed by John Roberts, Ian Hersey and Michael Bush.
Steinberg, a triathlon coach from Germany is a two-time Ultraman World Championship competitor.
“UM Hawaii is a great challenge and adventure,” she said. “If you finish one UM you have to do another one.”
Steinberg is crewed by Jamie Pardau, Gary Steinberg, Christiane Bauer and Ruth Benner.
Two Big Island athletes are also competing in this year’s Ultraman World Championship, John Howerton and Todd Weinmann.
Howerton finished State 1 in 10:10:55, putting him in 20th place. Weinmann did not finish State 1 after a 4:08:01 time in the swim.
Athletes will start Stage 2 on Saturday, which will include a 171.4-bike ride from Volcanoes National Park to Keaau. Athletes will then turn east with a counter-clockwise loop through Kalapana, Kapoho and Pahoa, before moving on through Hilo.
From Hilo, the route continues north along the Hamakua Coast to Waimea, and over the Kohala Mountains via Route 250 to finish at Kamehameha Park in Kapa’au.