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From 83 participants to thousands, and two post-race kegs from Kona Brewing to 25, the community-centered Lavaman Triathlon has maintained its inclusive character and aloha spirit since 1998.
Race in Hawaii without having to qualify or pressure to participate in a World Championship. Lavaman is a local race that provides a sense of strong community that the area is proud of. (Photo: Public Service, Lavaman)
Published on March 19, 2026 at 06:00 AM
Since 1981, the Big Island of Hawaii has been home to the IRONMAN World Championships. But for decades, opportunities for anyone looking for a fun and affordable way to experience triathlon in Hawaii were limited. In 1998, Jerry Root decided to change that by founding his company pelvis.
In March of that year, 83 participants crossed the finish line for the first Lavaman and enjoyed refreshing beer from two kegs donated by Kona Brewing Company. Since then, the race has attracted thousands of athletes without losing the inclusive atmosphere and aloha spirit.
Keep it local
“Our partnership with Kona Brewing is strong, but now they are donating about 25 kegs for the post-race party,” says race director Perry Hacker. “It’s just one way Lavaman stays local.”
Introducing the nonprofit LavaKids in 2014 is another way Lavaman remains rooted in the local community. All proceeds from LavaKids events go toward supporting youth sports on Hawaii Island.
In 2022, Loveman returned after being canceled due to the pandemic, with Root at the helm for what might be the last time. Less than seven months later, she passed away after a short battle with cancer.
“Selling Lavaman to a huge sporting events company was never an option, because it’s not about making money. Lavaman is triathlon in Hawaii,” says Hacker, who has finished the Ironman six times. To honor Root’s legacy and make the race accessible to more participants, Hacker took over as race director and worked with Erin and Tyson Root, Root’s adult children and owners of Lavaman, to add a duathlon and jet ski race in 2024. 70.3and Iron man On the island now, so we can serve the diverse triathlon community.
In 2025, 341 of the 1,261 Lavaman participants came from Hawaii Island. With so much local representation, it’s no wonder triathletes like San Diego’s Eileen Gower describe the race atmosphere as local from start to finish.
“There is an incredible feeling that the whole island is involved,” says Gower, who is also an Ironman World Championship winner. “I can go to Loveman and have the time of my life with little to no pressure, and there’s real cheering on the field. People are cheering for everyone, not just the front of the group. It reminds me why I started doing triathlon.”
Welcome everyone with Aloha
Lavaman has a reputation as one of the Best triathlon for beginnerswhere 588 of the 2,025 participants registered as first-time athletes. There’s also a free ocean swim clinic on the Friday before Lavaman to enhance it First time ocean swimmers trust.
On race morning, as the sun begins to peak over Mauna Kea, participants will have a short 400-meter walk from the transfer point to Waikoloa Beach in Anaihuomalo Bay, where they will begin their swim. The bay is protected by a natural coral reef, making the waters calm and ideal for anyone new to open water swimming. After swimming, you can head to the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway for a bike ride. Through the out and back structure, the athletes keep the ride lively, with many cheering (cheers) across the highway when they spot familiar competitors.
“This is the vibe we’re going for, whether you’re 14 or 54,” Hacker says, adding that in 2025, 50% of participants were over 50, including Lopaka Quitevis.
“I did the first Lavaman ever, and I keep coming back to it,” says the 75-year-old Koitevis. “I’m still competitive, but I do it with aloha. I just smile and throw shakas to the other athletes.”
“We have everyone from a mom with a baby doing her first triathlon to coworkers doing it as a team,” says Hacker, who is also the course director for Ironman 70.3 in Hawaii. “Teams make training more realistic for those who want to participate but can only focus on one sport due to family commitments or lack of time.”
The run takes athletes through the lava field and Hilton Waikoloa Village grounds, then down a coral trail before finishing on the beach, surrounded by palm trees.
“We use monsters and flowers from local vendors for the finish line. The prizes are still made locally,” Hacker says, adding that what participants love most is the awards ceremony on the beach with the buffet, beer, camaraderie and live music.
“You can be yourself at Lavaman, whether you want to have fun, raise money for a cause, or are of a competitive age group who wants to race in your own backyard without having to worry about qualifying,” says Kawika Singson, who has raced six Lavamans.
“Lavaman feels like Hawaii because it still belongs to the community,” says Kwekaika Kahanui, who has finished the Lavaman Race three times. “You see local volunteers, local families, local kids lining the course, and athletes like me who grew up here racing alongside first-time visitors.” “Culture is not something that is added to the race. It is the foundation on which it is built.”
