The energy continued to build today as athletes prepared for the first day of racing for the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 6. Here is the daily Pau Hana, a Hawaiian phrase meaning “end of the workday,” recapping highlights from the last 24 hours.
E Komo Mai (Welcome) Banquet
“For two years, the elements in Kona have been holding their breath, waiting for this moment to arrive,” Kahu Kealoha Sugiyama told the crowd at the E Komo Mai Banquet last night. “The elements can finally breathe a sigh of relief and say, ‘It is here! You are loved, you are welcomed, you are embraced, and you are home.’”
Athletes, too, are relieved and ecstatic to be back on the Big Island of Hawai`i for the first time since 2019. As the sun set on a beautiful day, they were warmly welcomed at the banquet in celebration of the approximately 5,000 athletes from around the world competing in the endurance event that will take place on two separate days for the first time in the history of the event.
Following welcome speakers and mesmerizing fire dancers, the IRONMAN `Ohana honored the Voice of IRONMAN, Mike Reilly, with a highlight reel of his career – including how the phrase “You are an IRONMAN” came about. After this weekend, Reilly will have announced 210 IRONMAN races and 33 IRONMAN World Championship events, cheering nearly half a million athletes over the finish line. Reilly announced in September that he will retire at the end of this season.
“It’s pretty special to be here,” said first time IRONMAN World Championship athlete Craig Stoller from New Hampshire, adding that he’s looking forward to hearing Reilly say, “You are an IRONMAN,” when he crosses the finish line Saturday.
This year’s race theme – Kū Like – means to stand together in Hawaiian, appropriate for the first race after a challenging few years across the world. “We are stronger when we stand together,” Kahu Kealoha Sugiyama said.
LOOKING AHEAD TO TOMORROW
Race day is finally here for the professional women, Hand Cyclists, PC/Open Exhibition division and some male age-groups. The action will kick off at 4.30 a.m. (HST) on IRONMAN Now, ahead of a 6:25 a.m. start time.
The VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Media Center will be open from 5:30 a.m.
For more information about the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship event, please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship. To learn more about the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and series of events, please visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.
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