PAU HANA: 2022 VINFAST IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DAILY RECAP FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2022
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i (October 3, 2022) — Race week for the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship continued today in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i as both race days inched closer with the Parade of Nations and opening of VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Village expo.
Here is the daily Pau Hana, a Hawaiian phrase meaning “end of the workday,” recapping highlights from the last 24 hours.
HEROES OF HAWAI`I
On Sunday evening athletes, friends, family, and community members gathered at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel (KBH) Lū`au Grounds to uncover the secrets of ancient Hawaiian warriors’ athleticism and strength, learning about Hawai`i’s history, culture, and tradition.
PARADE OF NATIONS
After a cloudy morning, the sun peeked out just in time to heat things up for the Parade of Nations. This tradition celebrates how truly global the IRONMAN World Championship is and this year, 92 countries are represented.
Leading the way down Ali’i Drive was Grand Marshal and the ‘Voice of IRONMAN’ Mike Reilly who will be calling his final IRONMAN World Championship, followed by a local U.S. Army JROTC Color Guard and IRONMAN Hall of Famers Mark Allen, Bob Babbitt, Rocky Campbell, Heather Fuhr, Michellie Jones, Julie Moss, Paula Newby-Fraser, Dave Scott, and Greg Welch.
Michael Carroll of Brisbane, Australia, who is in Kailua-Kona to watch his daughter Eloise compete, watched the parade from the shade near the KBH, in awe of how many athletes were racing. “It’s fantastic – there’s such a sense of celebration,” he said.
That celebratory energy was contagious from the start at the KBH all the way to the end at Hale Halawai. Kiddos threw shakas, athletes, friends, and family waved flags and waved to spectators, and the German contingent did push-ups in the middle of Ali’i Drive.
“It was great fun,” said first-time IRONMAN World Championship athlete Justin Dutton, from Wicklow, Ireland. He and his entire family – wife Fiona and kids Erin, Fionn, and Senan – represented Ireland in the parade. “It adds to the whole atmosphere and builds on the excitement [of the race].”
Kelvin Steyn agreed, proudly representing South Africa, both in the parade and the race. “It’s just a really cool vibe and amazing experience. It’s starting to feel real and not like a holiday,” he said.
LIFE IN IRONMAN VILLAGE
Whether it is shopping the multiple merchandise tents, exploring the future finish line area, stopping for photo ops, or trying out world class products and services thanks to IRONMAN’s partners and the Official IRONMAN Merchandise Store, there is something for everyone in IRONMAN Village.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
The VinFast IRONMAN World Championship’s events continue Tuesday with Athlete Check-in from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the KBH Ballrooms 2, 3, 4. The E Koo Mai (Welcome) Banquet will take place on Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the KBH Parking Lot with the English-speaking race briefing set to begin immediately following the banquet festivities. While the athlete wristband is used as athletes’ tickets to the banquet, tickets for family and friends are available online and on-site at the `Ohana Info Center.
The merchandise tents and partner activations will reactivate Tuesday morning throughout The IRONMAN Village area. Finally, the official VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Pre-Race Press Conference will be taking place at 11 a.m. at the KBH Lū`au Grounds and the IRONMAN Ambassador Athlete Panel at 3 p.m. on the IRONMAN Village stage.
The VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Media Center reopens Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 9:00 AM in King Kamehameha Hotel Ballroom 1. Media can check in until 4:00 PM.