Peaman's Pedal Til Ya Puke and Run Til Ya Ralph

Yesterday was a chance to participate in a Peaman race that wasn't held at the pier. Instead, hearty runners and bikers headed up to Kaloko Road for some fun hill climbing. As Peaman said at the start of the race, there really only was one hill. But it was a killer - climbing more than 3000 feet in 6.5 miles. In typical Peaman fashion, there were other options for those who weren't ready to tackle the 6.5 mile distance (including me!), with a 3.5 mile climb and a 1-mile loop run.

The 6.5 mile distance started at the bottom of Kaloko Drive for the climb to the top. The pictures below are the view from the starting area, before things really started getting steep. Pictures don't really do it justice, though.


As usual, Peaman gave instructions to the race participants, before everyone started off.

Thirty minutes after the 6.5 mile start, the 3.5 mile race started 3 miles up the hill. It was an interesting ride up there as the road became congested with the 6.5 mile participants and the cars going to the 3.5 mile start or to the top. Since I was doing the 3.5 mile run, I left the car at the 3.5 mile start, but unfortunately had to ditch the camera there, too. A few of the 6.5 mile bikes and runners passed us by, but then we were off. I think I lasted about half a mile before we hit a portion that went straight uphill. That's where I started my first of many walk portions (I like to think it was just as effective as running). The remainder of the race was spent trying to run the relatively flat portions while walking the really steep grades. It seemed to be a common strategy, although I was completely impressed by the couple of people who passed me and managed to keep running the entire time!

Right before I got to the finish line, I saw the 1-mile group flying down the hill at me at the beginning of their loop course. That group definitely looked the happiest.

At the finish, the spread was incredible - all kinds of homemade cookies, fresh fruit, and bread, which was a welcome sight for all the athletes. Also, at this race there wasn't the typical Peaman drawing for prizes, instead he let all participants pick out a prize in reverse order of finish. Boy, were the kids excited! The perpetual pea was also presented to Bobbi Reif-Acheson and her husband Cliff "Armstong" who won the mountain bike division of the 6.5 mile race.

The times for this race were not what you would typically expect for a 6.5 mile course. The winning bike, Sam Corace, made the trek in 46:33. For the runners, Josiah Jennings came in first for the 6.5 mile run in 56:40. The winning time for the 3.5 mile run was Wilfredo Duran in 36:50. Full results are here. Jason and I both finished second in our races and are glad that we have another year before we have to do that again!

Thanks Peaman for a fun, challenging race!