More than the beautiful sunny skies radiating over Kailua Bay, or the shimmering azure waters of Kaiakeakua Beach, after 32 years, last Sunday’s Peaman Wacky Whirled Peas Quadrathon certainly had a different feel to it as nearly a 100 peaticipants gathered to celebrate a momentous milestone — Peaman’s 400th event.
“It’s a number that’s kind of wacky, I don’t even know how we got here yet,” Peaman said. “But it’s been really fun over the years, and as you know, this has always been an event for the community, put on by the community and everyone helps out.
“I didn’t add it all up until a few years ago so when I saw that we were getting close to 400 I felt like hana hou, I think eight more years from now we will reach 500 and that’s kind of cool when you think about it.”
And it has been really cool. Peaman biathlons have become the signature Sunday gathering place for those wanting a fun way to engage in a healthier lifestyle and for others, be the stepping-stone toward a gentle introduction into the world of swim-bike-run.
“For me being here is super special because this is where everything began for me,” said Bree Brown, a former professional triathlete and two-time Ironman champion. “From Peaman I did Lavaman then went onto Ironmans. So I felt like I really wanted to be here today. Also some of my students are here, some other teachers are here, and family. I definitely think this is the place to be on Sunday mornings.”
Cody Ranfranz couldn’t have agreed more. The teen speedster made history back in 2014 when he held the distinction of being the youngest victor in Peaman Biathlon history at the age of 14, and then later, becoming the 2016 BIIF boys cross country champion. Ranfranz was back in Kona on summer break before entering his junior year at Montana State University.
“I feel I’m kind of in the same boat as Bree because this is pretty much where everything started for me, especially with my athletic career in running. So today was really fun to be able to do it really leisurely this time.”
While Peaman Biathlons haven’t changed much over the last three decades from an organizational point of view – no registration required for the free family event followed by use of popsicle sticks when signing out – what has changed is the increase in keiki participation.
“I feel proud and I’m super stoked that there’s more PeaWee’s than ever,” said Peaman, a four-time Ironman World Championship finisher. “I get excited just seeing them out there doing their little PeaWee course. I remember in the very beginning there were no kids, it really was an adult race.
“Now it’s less competitive than it used to be – I mean some of the times set back when still stands, still no one breaks or even comes close to it yet. I can think of fast times set by those in the past like you and me, Gary Shields and Gary Cooke, Robert Standard, even Karl Honma – those were some super fast times put down. It’s interesting because those times don’t get beat today by the younger fast guys like Josiah Randerson or Dan Gampon.
Sunday’s event featured a double-loop course of a 1/3-mile swim followed by a 2-mile run, and a shorter PeaWee 200-yard swim and 1-mile run.
Kealakekua’s Vaclav Seifert, a native of the Czech Republic who has been vacationing on the island with his family since last September, claimed his final and fifth consecutive title in a sizzling time of 42 minutes and 14 seconds.
“We leave the island next week,” Seifert said. “I’m going to miss this and I’m not sure if we will ever be back. Everybody has been so nice and I’m really glad that my family got to be a part of this.”
Ranfranz finished a few strides back after passing Josiah Randerson on the run to claim second place in a time of 42:19. Randerson rounded out the men’s podium in 42:58.
Brown easily won the women’s title in a blazing time of 45:10, leaving Tina Eakin and Mady Parker settling for second and third with their times of 50:25 and 51:08 respectively.
Brown said she didn’t feel much has changed – particularly when it comes to pre-race trash talking that has become the norm – since her first introduction to Peaman Biathlon events in 2003.
“Only maybe just that we gotten older,” she laughed. “Like I’ve been trash talking Cody for years and it used to be that I would always get him because he wasn’t that great of a swimmer. And then he grew up through Kona Aquatics swimming and also became a really good runner. Now there’s no competition because he kills me every time. So it’s been fun to see that transition from being little kids, to them growing up to be way better than us.”
Kayden Lund and Alexis Leao claimed the male and female PeaWee course titles with their times of 12:38 and 14:14 respectively. While Peaman, who is still recovering from a fractured left leg tibia bone, finished the PeaWee double-loop course in a time of 42:46.
“I just really appreciate everyone who helps out and everyone who participates,” Peaman said. “This is really ‘our event’ – it’s everyone’s event, it’s a community thing for everyone in this little pod of wacky peas to come out, have fun, and play.”
