KAILUA-KONA — The Ironman World Championship is a serious competition.
Athletes from around the world travel to the Big Island to challenge nature and the environment over the course of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run from Kailua-Kona to Hawi.
However, on Thursday, the athletes — along with friends, family and the community — let it all hang loose for a good cause during the 21st annual running of the Underpants Run.
“This is a fantastic event,” said Bradley Fleming, a South African Ironman athlete who will compete in his third world championship today. “I think we had a better turnout than the Parade of Nations.”
The Underpants Run, which was started in 1998 by Chris Danahy, Tim Morris and Paul Huddle as a protest against athletes wearing Speedos in inappropriate places such as stores and restaurants, has morphed throughout the years into an unofficial, but integral part of the Ironman World Championship pre-race activities.
It also has helped raise more than $300,000 for Big Island charities.
“I love the atmosphere and I love how everyone comes together to support a cause,” said Nicole Hall, who is here to support Fleming on his Ironman trek. “It is a great vibe.”
For St. Louis, Mo.’s Julie Palmer, competing in the Underpants Run this year was a checkmark on her bucket list after having to miss the event five years ago because of an injury. She is here to compete in her 22nd Ironman race, and also her last.
“This is my last hurrah,” Palmer said. “Five years ago I got into the Ironman World Championship by Legacy Lottery, but this year I actually qualified by winning my age group.”
Fittingly, after having competed in so many Ironman races, Palmer was decked out in probably the most popular costume of the day, Wonder Woman.
“A friend of mine wore a Wonder Woman costume for an Ironman race, so I thought I could at least do it for the Underpants Run,” Palmer said. “Getting the outfit was the best part, and all the kids loved it.”
There was no shortage of costumes during the 1.5-mile stroll down Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, which started and finished in the parking lot of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel with a turnaround point at Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel.
Spider-Man was in attendance, fully decked out from head to toe in spandex, as was Mr. T and a variety of other characters. There also was no shortage of stylish hats, crazy hairstyles and coconut bras.
Palmer went around taking pictures with all the other runners in Wonder Woman costumes.
“There was even a 7-year-old girl wearing one,” she said. “The Underpants Run is one of the best parts of Ironman week. Everyone goes all out.”
As the race week festivities wound down, everyone began gearing up for today’s 140.6-mile race, which will start with the first wave at 6:30 a.m. at Kailua Pier.
Email Rick Winters at rwinters@westhawaiitoday.com.
