More than 4,000 people volunteered at this year’s Ironman World Championship

Before the sun rose, volunteers with the Men of Pa‘a were providing sunscreen and Vaseline to ward off chaffing to more than 2,300 triathletes as they passed mostly single file on a path fronting Kamakahonu Beach at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort.

These were necessary items for the men competing in the 140.6-mile VinFast Ironman World Championship held in Kona, where the heat is usually oppressive and the wind is unrelenting.

The Men of Pa‘a is a group that supports men who are in substance abuse recovery through community service and land-based work. And for five years, the Men of Paʻa have provided volunteers at the world championship to man aid stations and help at the epicenter of the event on Ali‘i Drive.

“Our job here this morning is to greet and motivate people,” said Kapoli Maunakea, a member of the Men of Pa‘a.

This year, 12 men from the group were among the more than 4,000 volunteers who handled a variety of tasks to ensure the event televised around the globe went smoothly, and the athletes got the physical and emotional support they needed.

The volunteers manned registration tables throughout race week, applied numbers with body paint, helping with transitions from the swim to the bike to the run and even caught wobbly runners after they crossed the finish line. Smiling volunteers also cheered and rooted on weary athletes.

The volunteers with the Men of Paʻa traveled to the race from Hilo, arriving at 1 a.m. on race day.

“It’s a big job,” Maunakea said.

The men also spent about 3 hours helping the athletes with their bikes after they got out of the water after the 2.4-smile swim in Kailua Bay.

“We have a break and then they come back and we gotta file them back in,” Maunakea said. “So, I’d like to say like three-quarters of the day, you’re probably standing and doing things.”

Charles Pericho, 53, has been in recovery with the Men of Pa‘a for 3-1/2 years and was volunteering for the fourth time at Ironman.

Despite the early morning and long hours standing, Pericho said volunteering for the event is worth it because he gets to provide service and meet people from around the world.

“We always put out good energy for people,” Pericho said, adding his favorite part of the day was saying good morning to the passing athletes and watching their eyes twinkle before the race started.

“People helping people helping people is what we do,” Pericho said.

Fekita Feki, 34, is approaching 6 months with the Men of Pa‘a after he was assigned to the program as part of Big Island Drug Court.

“I couldn’t have been more blessed to be placed with them,” Feki said.

This was Feki’s first time volunteering at the Ironman World Championship and he thought it was awesome, saying: “It’s a beautiful day of community out here engaging with each other.”

Logan Ryan, 36, also has been with Men of Pa‘a for 6 months as part of his compliance with the Big Island Veterans Treatment Court. He’s been clean and sober for 17 months.

Ryan’s favorite moment on Saturday morning was helping at least 10 athletes in wheelchairs, including double and single amputees.

“I still got all my limbs, and I’m not out here competing,” Ryan said. “Just being able to know that they’re coming out here and competing is something special.”

Kerstin Blunt, Director of Volunteer Management, said a good part of volunteer support comes in groups, usually drawn from local nonprofits, like the Men of Pa‘a. This year, more than 50 nonprofits volunteered.

Blunt said almost 3,000 of the volunteers were Hawai’i-based, with most from Hawai‘i Island and some from O‘ahu. About 1,000 volunteers came from the U.S. with volunteers also flying in from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, the UK and as far as Kazakhstan.

The Ironman Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that donates money to Ironman race communities through grants and volunteerism efforts, has given $3.15 million to the Kona community throughout the years.

Blunt said the local nonprofits that volunteer to help in the race are eligible for a grant, however, that’s not the only reason they participate.

“Hawai‘i Island residents have a history of community service,” she said.

Other groups volunteering at aid stations include clubs from local high schools, paddle clubs, students from the University of Nations, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club.

“We’re all in this community to do it together,” Blunt said. “It’s what it’s like to live the Aloha spirit, even if it’s just a cup of water to an athlete.”

On race day, Blunt said the volunteers were excited and she could see their passion.

“Personally, I’m inspired by our community and what we accomplish together,” Blunt said. “I just do my part in recruiting and getting people excited.”