By Christine Blosser | Ironman

More than 2,000 athletes are on their way to the Big Island next week to compete at Ironman 70.3 Hawaii, affectionately known as 70.3 Honu.

The tough bike course traverses the second half of the famed Ironman World Championship course, while the day begins at Hapuna State Park, considered one of the best beaches in the United States. The day ends with a challenging run course that starts and ends at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.

Professional Field

As the 2012 Ironman World Champion, Pete Jacobs will be a fan favorite at Honu.

Jacobs is looking forward to reliving his memories on Hawaii when he returns in June: “It will be my first race since my injury this year; I will have done six weeks of training so I won’t be as fit as I normally am when on the Big Island, but I’m always mentally in a good place when I’m in Hawaii.”

Linsey Corbin, who never crosses the finish line without her cowboy hat, will be coming to the Kohala Coast to defend her title.

In 2012, Corbin set a new course record: “Last year was my first time racing Honu 70.3 and the race lived up to all the great expectations I had. It was extremely tough conditions and I was happy to come away with the win.”

Corbin will have spent two weeks training on the Ironman course before resting up for the 70.3 event.

“Honu has a great vibe, much more laid back than Ironman,” she said, “and the course suits my strengths with the challenging conditions, a tough bike course and hot and humid weather.”

Local Competitors

The island’s own mayor, Billy Kenoi, and the WaveRider Triathlon Club will be stepping up for their first Ironman event. Kenoi has been a huge supporter of Ironman events in Hawaii and will have the community cheering him on as he crosses the finish line.

“I have been so impressed these past four years as mayor witnessing the Ironman World Championship in Kona and the heart and determination of all of the athletes,” he said. “It’s the most inspirational sporting event I’ve ever witnessed [and] I was so inspired that I started swimming, biking and trying to run.”

The WaveRider Triathlon Club, affiliated with Kealakehe High School, encourages teenagers to live a healthy and active lifestyle. These high school students are not your average teenagers.

Growing up in the home of the Ironman World Championship is one of the many motivations for these students, who aspire to one day compete in the full-distance race in Kona.

Honu is honored to have Kerri Love, a former Ironman employee who was on the founding team of the inaugural event in 2004, competing as well.

“This race is a ‘homecoming’ of sorts,” she said. “I was there at the inception and to see it blossom and grow into such a spectacular event is amazing.”

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