The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, a 22-acre oceanfront resort on Hawaii, has once again stepped forward to become the title sponsor for the fifth Annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon scheduled for Sunday 24 November 2013.
Lavaman Keauhou is a fully sanctioned USA Triathlon (USAT) Olympic Distance Triathlon produced by Hawaii Sports Connection. It is open to elite triathletes, triathlon enthusiasts and relay teams of all ages and levels.
“Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa is committed to the local community,” said Area Managing Director and General Manager Steve Lindburg. “The resort’s continued sponsorship of Lavaman Keauhou is a perfect fit for a variety of reasons. We have seen first-hand the excellence that Hawaii Sports Connection brings to the event and we feel the partnership with them benefits everyone involved, including the athletes themselves.”
Lavaman Keauhou begins with a single lap 1500m swim in Keauhou Bay where water temperature averages 80-degrees Fahrenheit and visibility averages 40-feet. Athletes then transition to the bike portion, a scenic single-loop 43K course which begins with a challenging 1.5-mile climb up Kamehameha III Road to Kuakini Highway and onto Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Bikers proceed north to the turnaround at the entrance to Kona’s Natural Energy Lab (NELHA). Once back in town, bikers race oceanfront along Alii Drive, a Hawaii Scenic Byway. The bike to run transition is at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. The 10K run then traverses historic Keauhou Resort grounds, past ancient battlefields with sweeping ocean and golf course views and back to the finish at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa and Lavaman’s famed beach party.
On Friday 22 November the Lavaman Keauhou Sports, Health & Nutrition Expo opens at the resort’s Kaleiopapa Convention Center. During the Expo, racers as well as the local community can peruse the many sports, health & fitness booths as well attend one or more of the informative talks. Admission is free.
The third Annual Lavaman Keauhou Sunset Run will begin and end at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center on Friday 22 November as well.
LavaKids takes center stage Saturday morning on 23 November with the Lavakids Youth Aquathon swim/run at Keauhou Bay for children 7 to 14 and a special LavaKids Dash for children under age 7.
Topping off the excitement of the event and in keeping with the Lavaman tradition, the weekend concludes with an awards party and banquet, complete with live music, food and camaraderie for volunteers and athletes immediately following the Lavaman Triathlon on Sunday 24 November.
“We sincerely appreciate our continued partnership with Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa,” said Gerry Rott, Race Producer and founder of Lavaman Triathlons. “The resort’s location in the heart of the race course along with superb facilities allows us to produce a great race that is in keeping with Lavaman Keauhou’s reputation as one of Hawaii’s best races.”
www.lavamantriathlon.com/keauhou/
www.SheratonKona.com
