Of the more than 1,600 female athletes from around the world who have descended onto Kailua-Kona for the 2025 Ironman World Championship today, eight are from the Big Island.
On the eve of the race, the Big Island competitors were excited and hopeful for the day. For most, it will be their first time taking on the grueling 140.6-mile swim-bike-run course.
This year’s list of local athletes are:
Also competing are Sheryl Younger of Pepe‘ekeo in the 40-44 age group and Allegra Petras in the 50-54 age group.
Ronning is competing as part of the Ironman Foundation’s fundraising team. She has raised $15,000 for the nonprofit, with the money going toward local community groups.
Ronning of Kona said the Ironman World Championship was something she always wanted to do.
“The dream started budding when I was 8 years old after I watched an old tape of Julie Moss crawling to the finish line,” Ronning said. “At the time, I thought: ‘How do I sign up for that?'”
Now a professional photographer and mother of four kids, ranging in ages from 7 to 15, Ronning has navigated intense training schedules amid school dropoff and pickups, activities and making home dinners. She credits her supportive husband.
Ronning hopes to empower athletes who are moms and show them that dreams don’t have to die when children come along.
“Motherhood has propelled me to do this because I want to live a life that’s meaningful and not without pursuing hard things,” Ronning said.
She is treating race day like her wedding day.
“I really want to enjoy it, take mental pictures of everything,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of such a global event.”
Thomas grew up in Kona and has always loved Ironman. After years of watching and volunteering at aid stations, the 29-year-old will get her chance to tackle the course on Saturday.
“To me, Ironman always seemed like the craziest event a person could possibly do,” Thomas said. “My favorite time is watching the final finishers, bent over, you don’t even know how they’re still moving, and they finish. That’s so inspiring.”
Thomas never thought that Ironman was something she could do until after she moved back to Hawai‘i after college and joined the Big Island Running Company.
“That was the first step into this chain of events,” she said. “For me, I view this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just really excited to take in the local community and enjoy the experience.”
Akana has been pursuing a spot on the Ironman Championship course after she competed in the Lavaman Triathlon three years ago.
“I got the taste of it and wanted to try the bigger race,” Akana said.
Akana got hooked on triathlon racing as it is a sport that continuously pushes the athlete to do their personal best.
“You can see your growth as you go through the different legs of the race,” she said.
While she feels strongest on the bike, Akana is nervous for the swim. She is looking forward to seeing her mom and her coach’s face at the finish line.
“I just want to finish,” she said.
Janairo’s journey to the Ironman World Championship started in 2009 while she was in the U.S. Coast Guard. During a peer review, she was asked where she saw herself in 10 years.
Her response was to be an Ironman World Championship finisher.
In 2024, Janairo got hooked on triathlons after participating in Lavaman.
“I’m one who has an addictive personality,” Janairo said. “I wanted to keep pushing myself mentally and physically.”
Janairo, who has now done three half triathlons as well, struggles with chronic migraines and the triathlons have helped her push through that pain along with thoughts of her daughter and wife who motivate and believe in her.
While she is nervous for race day, Janairo said she wants to have fun and is grateful for the opportunity.
Vance said she was never very good at cardio-related activities, but decided last year she would train for a half triathlon.
“I thought you had to be born gifted,” the 29-year-old said.
Vance finished Lavaman last year and Ironman 70.3, also known as Honu, earlier this year.
“Doing hard things made me believe I could do it,” she said.
This will be Avery’s third Ironman. She competed for the first time in 2022 with her daughter. She ended qualifying again the following year.
While Ironman is not a dream of hers, she loves the training. “It’s what I do.”
Avery’s goal is the same as it has been: to finish.
“My one goal is just to finish and have fun and enjoy the day,” she said.
Avery said the run always makes her nervous because it’s the hardest part for her. While this year she feels she’s in the best running shape of her Ironman career, Avery said it’s always a struggle as pacing and nutrition and the outside elements – like wind and heat – puzzle together how well she’ll do.
