Photo By Kristen Wong | Competitor Galen Chinn runs in the third phase of the Tradewind Triathlon at Hangar...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Despite a two-week delay and a damp flightline early Sunday morning, Aug. 24, 2014, more than 140 competitors from Marine Corps Base Hawaii and the general public competed in the Tradewind Triathlon.
The day before, more than 70 children competed in the Keiki Tradewind Triathlon. Both events were postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Iselle.
The Tradewind Triathlon, the ninth event in the Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series, included a 500-meter swim, 11.6-mile bike ride and a 5-kilometer run. In addition, active-duty participants could earn points for the 101 Days of Summer Program, which officially ends Monday.
“Overall, we received very positive feedback on both events,” said Krista Shipes, the Semper Fit athletic director of Marine Corps Community Services Hawaii. “Even though Hurricane Iselle delayed both events by two weeks, we had a great turnout and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. The Tradewind Triathlon was also a success and drew in a good number of participants.”
Volunteers, many of whom were Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, assisted with numerous tasks including guiding racers along the course and directing traffic near the race site.
“The volunteers were helpful with all aspects of the race from set-up to tear down,” Shipes said. “Without the support of MCAS and MCCS, this event would not have been as successful or as safe.”
Barely an hour had passed as coordinators, volunteers and family members at Dewey Square saw the racers heading for the finish line. The first individual male finisher was Peter Hickson, with an overall time of 58:31.
Hickson, the assistant air officer at 3rd Marine Regiment, is leaving Hawaii soon and because of his fondness for triathlons, decided to try the Tradewind for the first time. The Front Royal, Va., native described the event as “technical” with a “lot of turns,” and encourages more people to join the race.
But his personal goal was to beat John Miles, an aviation structural mechanic at Special Projects Patrol Squadron 2. In May, Miles took first place in MCB Hawaii’s Koa Kai Sprint Triathlon, while Hickson took third.
“We’re competitive people,” he said. “(Miles) usually beats me.”
Miles, who is a native of San Diego, came in second place, with an overall time of 58:59. He has completed at least 20 triathlons before, and enjoys the challenge while staying in shape. Miles plans to compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, in Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada.
“It’s always calm,” Miles said of swimming in Kaneohe Bay. “It’s always a nice swim. I think it was a little bit long (Sunday) compared to (the Koa Kai Sprint Triathlon in) May (which) was a little bit shorter course.”
Miles remarked that during the biking portion of the race, he only paused once to check a possible issue with his tire.
“Overall it was fast, not too much wind, so it made for a fast course,” he said. “(Regarding running), I think there’s like three or four races on base for the series that (incorporates the) same hill. It kicks my butt every time.”
Though Miles was hoping for first place, he was happy achieving second place in the triathlon.
“It’s always nice to come out and race, especially on base,” Miles said. “I’ve been here for (about) three years (and participated in) triathlons on base almost every year. (The Tradewind Triathlon) is just kind of like a home-course race, it’s always fun to do.”
The first female individual finisher was Katie Crowder, whose overall time was 1:04:42. Crowder is an airman and family medicine physician from the 15th Medical Group at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
“I just arrived on the island a month ago,” said Crowder, who considers Travis Air Force Base in California home. “I’m excited to be here.”
Crowder has been in triathlons before, but this was her first one in Hawaii, and although she encountered rain and slick roads this time around, she described the overall race as beautiful.
The next race in the Commanding Officer’s Fitness Series is the Sunset Flight Line 5k run, Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m., near Hangar 101. This race is open to the public. Visit www.mccshawaii.com/races/ for more
information or to register.
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.29.2014 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 140828 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | FRONT ROYAL, VA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Run like the Tradewinds: Public, MCB Hawaii community compete in Tradewind Triathlon, by Kristen Wong, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT