honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Honolulu Triathlon changes course

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

LEARN MORE

For more information, go to www.honolulutriathlon.com

spacer spacer

A new course for the third Honolulu Triathlon on Mother's Day should resolve a major problem for event organizers and provide relief for many East Honolulu residents.

Ala Moana Beach Park will be the centerpiece of the May 14 event, which will hold the swim portion at Ala Moana, the bicycle leg to Aloha Stadium and back and the running course through Kaka'ako. The previous course went from Kapi'olani Park to Hawai'i Kai and back.

"It's really a safer course," said Steve Foster, Honolulu Triathlon assistant race director, who expects a field of 1,500 to 2,000 entrants for this year's event. "We're in more of a business section of town so there will be less crossing traffic in the bike portion."

The change is good news for East Honolulu residents, who raised concerns about traffic, safety and the number of athletic events in their community.

"We have relief this year, perfect," said Lester Fukuda, chairman of the Wai'alae-Kahala Neighborhood Board. "I think it's a good idea to change the route so not to impact one area all the time.

"The main concern we had was the lack of communication (with Honolulu Triathlon organizers)," Fukuda added. "With the Honolulu Marathon, we get advance notice and they work with the community."

Hawai'i Kai resident Doug Vincent also was pleased with the change. "My contention has always been that they should rotate it around, so it's good news," he said.

'MINIMAL IMPACT'

In announcing the course change, Mayor Mufi Hannemann recognized the concerns of East Honolulu residents.

"In response to concerns from some East Honolulu residents about the number of events in their area, and in an effort to meet the Honolulu Triathlon's needs for a safe, picturesque route, we have worked this out, with the help of the triathlon as well as the state Department of Transportation," Hannemann said in a written statement.

"The triathlon starts at 6 a.m. and should be finished by mid-morning, so we expect the impact on traffic to be minimal."

John Breinich, chairman of the Ala Moana/Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board, said Honolulu Triathlon organizers will brief his board on the changes at its March 28 meeting.

Without knowing all the details, Breinich said, "If they close more than one lane of traffic, I think it'll be a concern. We have lots of walks and runs at Ala Moana so we're used to it. I don't see any problems if they don't go into Waikiki."

A 'SPECTATORS' VENUE'

Contributing to the problems last year, when 2,500 competitors were in the event, was the configuration of the swim course, Foster said. The Ala Moana course this year will eliminate delays, he said.

"The old course was a 750-meter double loop," Foster said. "We could only put a wave of swimmers in every three minutes. At Ala Moana, we can send everyone out at once. We can do swimming within an hour, where it took us three hours at the other location.

"And the run will be on a great, safe and closed course on a main street that will provide a great spectators' venue."

In 2004, the Honolulu Triathlon hosted the U.S. Olympic Triathlon trials. Last year, the field featured elite age-group competitors.

Here are details about the new course:

  • Swim course (1,500 meters): Ala Moana Beach Park.

  • Bicycle course (40 kilometers): A loop beginning at Ala Moana Park, 'ewa on Ala Moana boulevard, Nimitz Highway under the viaduct, Kamehameha Highway to Salt Lake Boulevard, town-bound on Kamehameha Highway, Nimitz under the viaduct, turning makai and back on Lagoon Drive, town-bound on Nimitz and Ala Moana to the finish line at Ala Moana Park.

  • Run course (10 kilometers): A loop from Ala Moana Park to Cooke Street to the turnaround at Auahi and back.

    Traffic and parking restrictions will be in place along the route. Parking at Ala Moana Park will be restricted that weekend for the Honolulu Kids Triathlon on May 13 and for the Honolulu Triathlon on May 14.

    Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.

    • • •