If you are reading this, big congratulations must be in order to your triathlete on making it to Kona and to you for getting a great vacation in Hawaii. We’ve all been at least twice and it remains awe-inspiring. From the banquets to the underwear run to the parade to the energy in the town to the finish line….. It is an experience like no other. But, now what???? You need a few Kona travel tips!
Don’t panic, TriWives are here to help. Our full guide will be coming out after the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas. In the meantime, here are some quick tips if you haven’t planned the trip yet or may not have thought about:
First, get on the waitlist at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. We know it’s long, but just get on the list and call every other day. It is right at the race site, so most convenient, especially for race morning. If you can at least get the night before the race, take it, share it, whatever you can do. You need a break room.
Then, decide how long you are going for. Keep in mind that there is a huge time difference. Our athletes like to go at least a week prior to race day and stay in North or South Kona to have some relaxing time (not sure they ever really relax) with family and friends, not to mention to just take in the atmosphere. If you are making a first time trip to Hawaii with the family, think about flying into Honolulu and staying a few days to see all the sites. If you are watching costs, staying in a rental house will also save you a ton on food. And, think about adding a few days after the race, because it’s time to really relax and believe it or not, you may be surprised at how much energy they have.
Next, book with Tribike Transport (with valet if possible) if you don’t want to travel with your bike. The bikes usually arrive the Tuesday prior to the race. If your athlete “needs” their bike prior to this, make sure you reserve a car big enough to transport the bike. I can’t tell you how many people we have seen over the years standing outside the Kona airport with a rental car, just staring at the bike case on the sidewalk.
Now, get busy planning the trip and be very excited. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that only a few people ever experience (remember, there is a world outside of Ironman). We have so much more to share in the upcoming weeks with our updates and full guide. We have people who live on the island giving us their favorite places and must see/dos, plus we have will have our usual The Sport of Spectating guide. If you would like to get in touch with our Kona go- to girl, please e-mail us at [email protected] with your questions.
Now, keep following triwivesclub and send us your suggestions for us to share! Oh, and don’t forget to bring an extra suitcase for all the finishers’ stuff you will have bought – only partially kidding!!!
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Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
