MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Children from the base and local community participated in the Keiki Tradewind Triathlon at Hangar 101 Aug. 10, 2013. The event was held for children ages 7 through 14.
The rain started to fall the afternoon of Aug. 9 and didn’t stop before the race could start Saturday morning. Because safety was a top priority before and throughout the competition, personnel removed the biking portion of the competition due to excess water.
“The weather didn’t cooperate and we changed it to a biathlon in the best interest of the competitors,” said Meagan Early, race coordinator for Marine Corps Community Services. “Although it was supposed to be a triathlon, the kids didn’t care and still had tons of fun.”
Removing the biking portion of the triathlon made the race into a biathlon. Children ages 7 through 10 conducted a 100-meter swim and an .8-mile run. Children ages 11 through 14 conducted a 200-meter swim and a 1.2-mile run.
“The rain was cold but when the race started the adrenaline began to flow and warmed me up right away,” said Derek Burton, 14, competitor in the biathlon. “It was my first time competing in this race and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely compete again and look forward to next years triathlon.”
Although it continued to rain heavily on the competitors, it didn’t stop the biathlon from starting at 7 a.m. On the shoreline of Kaneohe Bay, near Hangar 101, children lined up in the correct age groups and jumped into the bay to begin the race.
Children maneuvered around buoys in Kaneohe Bay to complete the swimming portion. Safety personnel on paddle boards, jet skies and motorboats closely watched all the racers to ensure everyone’s safety. If a swimmer didn’t think they could make it or needed a rest, all they had to do is wave their hand for help.
After completing the swimming portion, competitors ran through fire hoses to rinse the saltwater off before beginning the running part of the biathlon. Each person had his or her running gear stationed next to Kaneohe Bay. They hurried to put their shoes and start the journey down the flight line.
Runners sprinted down the drenched flight line toward the airstrip, then turned around and headed back whence they came, the finish line in sight. As the rain continued to pour down, participants received medals of completion.