Yep, big kudos to Raul, Hina, all the folks at Boca and all the volunteers. It was a well run event, and I had a blast.

The swim was great, at least for a BOP swimmer like me. Two loops -- out to the existing swim buoys that are permanently there, 800m with the current, then back to shore. Run back up the beach to the start point and repeat. For comparison, my Honu 70.3 swim time was 46 minutes, with about the same swim fitness I did this one in 32.

Transition to the bike mount area was kind of a pain -- a long-ish run in bike shoes along the bike path until you could mount. Not a huge deal, but not ideal.

The bike was all with the wind (some mild cross-winds), so it was fast. Again for comparison, on the same setup, I averaged 2.5 MPH higher than Honu 70.3 Traffic wasn't too bad. They had police at all the major intersections, although I was bummed to get stopped once (by the police) in Kaneohe town. Some of the roads were really crappy, potholes and rough, and I'd probably drop my PSI by 10 or more next time.

The run was hot, as expected. Flat and no shade. I went out too fast and I faded pretty badly, but a decent route.

The logistics were a little annoying, but they had a bus back to the start and bike service to bring bikes back to the shop if you didn't have anyone meeting you up in the North Shore. Camp Erdman was a great post-race venue, with music and food. Not sure if the camp allows it, but some beer would have been a nice touch ...

All in all, I'd like to do it again. Not sure if I actually will, with family and all, but I'd recommend the race.

Thanks Kula! And Congratulations on your race. How was your overall time compared to Honu? I'm coming over from NY on Saturday as a tag along on my wife's business trip. I was just poking around to see what's going on when I saw the race. It really has me thinking for next year. We get there in the afternoon, but I wish I could be there for the Turtle Bay Swim/Run Saturday Morning.

Who knows, maybe I'll be with you there for the start of next years race!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Way faster than Honu. I did 5:50 at Honu this year (some nutrition issues at the start of the run and a 4 min BS drafting penalty) and 5:06 at Kawela.

From the limited info I heard from friends, it was run well. I can imagine logistics being a PITA if you don't have someone to pick you up at the finish.

Yes, but for a New Yorker who comes over often and loves the North Shore (who doesn't), riding past Sunset, Pipeline, Shark's Cove, then roaring down the hill and up the other side at Waimea and through Haliewa will make up for all that PITA!

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

Was just talking about this triathlon today, specifically the bike course. My parents had a house on the water growing up that we'd visit every summer (from MI). That side of the island is amazing and I hope to do this race one day (I only go during December break now). I would love to ride that course. Jealous of those that did it.

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The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

I did it and can't thank Boca enough for putting on yet another fantastic race. You never really know what you're going to get with an inaugural race, but they made it feel like they've had this race going on for years. I wouldn't have trusted many race directors to get the logistics of a point-to-point race on Oahu down almost perfectly on the first go-around, but Boca knows what they're doing. If they're putting on a tri on Oahu, you sign up for it and do it, bottom line.

That said, just a few nit-picky things:

1. I know lengthening the swim would be difficult, but I think many would appreciate it. Even as an incredibly weak swimmer, the closer to 1.2 miles the better. I kind of dig the beach run in the middle though, as that added a nice wrinkle (even if it makes comparing 70.3 swim times nearly impossible).

2. Everyone who lives here knows that the roads suck and we just all gotta deal with that fact. Nevermind that closing the course to traffic is an absolute impossibility. Many of us locals ride that route up through North Shore and know where all the rough and dangerous spots are. Perhaps getting some people to sweep the course the day before to try and remove as much debris as possible, as well as mark off with tape some of the more dangerous dips, bumps, and holes. Maybe some warning signs on the bridges to warn of the hard bumps in transitioning from asphalt to concrete. I unfortunately hit one of those things hard just outside Haleiwa and double-flatted there. However, I also recognize it's my own damn fault for not being more aware of the course, and not running a lower tire pressure.

3. Add one more aid station to the run. I could have sworn there was supposed to be one just outside of T2, but there wasn't. As such, there was a fairly long gap (maybe 2 miles or so) between a couple of the aid stations in the middle part of the run course.

I'll be doing the race against next year for sure. Looking forward to challenging the overall men's podium. :)

Edit: Also, the course is really, really fast. Easier than Honu due to the shorter swim and flat/tailwind-assisted bike. Run is just as brutal as Honu in my opinion though. I did a 4:59 at Honu this year, and a 4:42 here. Without my flat on the bike I'd have rolled to a 4:30 in this race.

I was one of the motorcycle officers escorting the lead bike. I thought it was a well planned race. I was a little upset with some of the other officers working the intersections. Even though I told them on the radio where we were at, they forgot to clear the intersection. No big deal we got him through without problems, but I could foresee problems with the rest of the bikes. So on behalf of the officers, I apologize. Run was cool, but they needed some bathrooms and a sign to tell runners to turn around.

I will do it next year for sure. Looked fun and I wish I was doing it instead of working.

Mahalo much to you guys for helping to keep us safe out there, especially through Kaneohe. I think all the minor kinks on the race logistics and police side can be easily worked out, and this race will be even better next year for sure.

And yes, one of the turnaround spots on the run wasn't clearly marked as such. Just an orange marker but no signs or arrows. I had to ask a couple of the officers standing by there if that was indeed the place to turn around, and it really shouldn't be on them to have to do that.

There is a sprint tri on Sunday. I think today is the last day to register. It's on active.com if you're interested.

''signs on the bridges to warn of the hard bumps in transitioning from asphalt to concrete. I unfortunately hit one of those things hard just outside Haleiwa and double-flatted there. However, I also recognize it's my own damn fault for not being more aware of the course, and not running a lower tire pressure.''


I think I know that bridge. At last year's Haliewa Sprint, I hit the bridge on Kamehameha really hard on the first lap. There were a lot of people on the side with flats and even though I heard a loud ripping sound, I kept going and it seemed fine. I thought maybe the seatpost had slipped but it didn't feel like it. When I checked the bike afterwards I saw that I had cracked the seat tube. I had sold the bike in Hawaii and I was just using it for the race then turning it over. It was a shame that I now couldn't sell it and I have to ship it home with a cracked frame. It now sits on my trainer.


Congratulations for your race. Even with two flats, you had a great time! Right now my plan is to be there next year.

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

''I unfortunately hit one of those things hard just outside Haleiwa and double-flatted there. However, I also recognize it's my own damn fault for not being more aware of the course, and not running a lower tire pressure.''


One other thing; wouldn't you want higher pressure to avoid pinch flatting on that bridge abutment?

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''Sweeney - you can both crush your AG *and* cruise in dead last!! 😂 '' Murphy's Law

It would help with those spots, but going with my normal PSI made the rough road everywhere else far, far worse. I had comfort issues during the ride because of it, and less comfort means less power, thus less PSI next time. Knowing the course better, I'll simply slow down (or bunny hop) over the bridge spots next year.

I think I know that bridge too. Near the surf shop? Yes that road is really rough. Last time I was on Oahu I didn't even bring my bike. Had a Smart car which was kind of like a bike.

This is a different bridge, on the bypass road that takes you around instead of straight through Haleiwa town. They're awful all the same though.

If anyone was interested in doing this race but is being turned off by the talk about the bike course, don't fret it. A little course recon and preparation on the athletes' side would go a long way toward alleviating my concerns.