LAVAMAN KEAUHOU RETURNS TO SHERATON KONA
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay on the Big Island has once again stepped forward to become the title sponsor for the 5th Annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon scheduled for Nov. 24. Lavaman Keauhou is a fully sanctioned USA Triathlon Olympic Distance Triathlon produced by Hawaii Sports Connection. It is open to elite triathletes, triathlon enthusiasts and relay teams of all ages and levels. Lavaman Keauhou begins with a single lap 1,500-metre swim in Keauhou Bay where water temperature averages 80 degrees F. and visibility averages 40 feet. Athletes then transition to the bike portion, a scenic single-loop 43K course which begins with a challenging 1.5-mile climb up Kamehameha III Road to Kuakini Highway and on to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Bikers proceed north to the turnaround at the entrance to Kona’s Natural Energy Lab (NELHA). Once back in town, bikers race oceanfront along Alii Drive, a Hawaii Scenic Byway. The bike to run transition is at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. The 10K run traverses historic Keauhou Resort grounds, past ancient battlefields with sweeping ocean and golf course views and back to the finish at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa and Lavaman’s famed beach party. On Nov. 22, the Lavaman Keauhou Sports, Health & Nutrition Expo opens at the resort’s Kaleiopapa Convention Center. During the Expo, racers as well as the local community can peruse the many sports, health & fitness booths as well attend one or more of the informative talks. Admission is free. The 3rd Annual Lavaman Keauhou Sunset Run will begin and end at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center on Nov. 22 as well. LavaKids takes centre stage Saturday morning, Nov. 23 with the Lavakids Youth Aquathon swim/run at Keauhou Bay for children seven to 14 and a special LavaKids Dash for children under age seven. Topping off events and in keeping with Lavaman tradition, the weekend concludes with an awards party and banquet, complete with live music, food and camaraderie for volunteers and athletes immediately following the Lavaman Triathlon on Nov. 24. (http://lavamantriathlon.com/keauhou)
