Powerman Hawai‘i Scheduled for March 24

The Powerman Hawai‘i is scheduled for March 24, 2019, at Kealakehe High School.

This event was originally scheduled for last year, but with the expansion of the highway not completed, so it was postponed until this year.

The event is part of the Powerman World Series with events in 24 countries and part of the ITU World Duathlon Championship. This event is a World Championship Qualifier. As always the World Championship will be held in Zofingen, Switzerland, which has played host to this event for over 30 years, much in the way Kailua-Kona hosts the Ironman World Championship each October.

The Powerman format is a Run–Bike–Run format, of course taking the swim aspect out of the race. The race being held in Kona this March will consist of three events. The sprint: 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run. The short: 5k run, 28k bike, 5k run. The World Championship Qualifier, the Classic: 10k run, 56k bike, 10k run. The event has relays offered in all categories as well. The top 3 athletes overall and in each age group will qualify for the World Championships in Zofingen Switzerland in September.

There will also be a keiki race Saturday morning, March 23 for Keiki 10 and under. The kids will do an 800m run on the track, followed by a multi-loop bike on school campus, ending with a 400m run on the track.

In addition, there will be a unique, exclusive high school duathlon meet, Hawai‘i style. High School athletes will compete in the sprint event. 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run. It will be scored cross country style with four categories. Boys, Girls, Co-Ed Relay. Three athletes will complete a team. Lowest scores win. A travelling trophy will be awarded each year for the high school to display, that they will return each year to defend. In addition, individual awards for each course. Each school registered by 21 days out will receive custom race shirts in their school colors. Each team will rack together in the transition area. Any and every high school is invited as well as individual students.

Athletes will be coming from all over the world as well as the mainland. Seven countries and eight states are currently represented. Two athletes are currently ranked in the top 10 in the world with the potential of several others committing.

For more information or to register for the event, go online.