Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon
Waikoloa Beach Resort, United States · April · Independent
Why people love it
- Clear, sheltered bay swim in about 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F) water.
- Swim, transition and beach finish all sit at Waikoloa Beach Resort.
- Bike runs through lava fields on the Queen K, 40 km (24.9 mi) out and back.
- Doubles as the USA Triathlon Hawaii state championship, with national qualifier slots.
- Big beach party at the finish.
Watch out for
- Wind on the Queen K can slow riders badly, especially on the return.
- Run ends on rocky trail and sand, slower than the distance suggests.
- Only 1,800 places, and they sell out in about two weeks.
- No sprint triathlon is listed for 2027.
- Little shade, and highs reach 30 °C (86 °F).
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Very tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
A repeat racer gave it 5 out of 5, and 1,800 places sell out in about two weeks. Few athletes have written about it. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
One racer praised the production, toilets and transitions. Only one athlete source. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable2.9
Ocean swim of 1.5 km (0.93 mi), wind and a sandy run; there is no shorter distance. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.7
Wind and a sandy finish make it slower than flat Olympics. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalSeldom2.2
Bay likely 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F), so wetsuits are rarely useful. USA Triathlon allows them up to 25.6 °C (78 °F). · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.3
Estimated 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F). One racer said the water felt warmer than the morning air. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.8
Sheltered bay with no chop or surf reported. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.0
1.5 km (0.93 mi) loop in a clear, sheltered bay. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.4
One racer described clear water with coral in a sheltered bay. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Beach start in an ocean bay for 1.5 km (0.93 mi). Kayak and safety details are not documented. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.5
State highway. Nobody has described the surface. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Highway course. How the lanes are closed is not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.2
Lava fields, volcano and coastline views. · Medium confidence
- WindWindy2.3
The Queen K is known for wind. One racer rode into hard wind in 2026 after a calm 2025. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.9
Wind can slow the return badly; the outbound half is net uphill. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling3.4
Net uphill out, downhill back over 40 km (24.9 mi). Total climbing not published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.3
Straight out-and-back highway with no technical sections. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.1
Big finish party, but the run is in resort grounds with few roadside crowds. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.7
Community groups staff the aid stations, per a Triathlete feature. One race review. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.4
Resort grounds, beach and ocean views. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate2.5
Trail and sand in full sun over 10 km (6.2 mi). · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.0
Rolling 10 km (6.2 mi) over resort paths, lava rock and beach. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.1
Late March highs of 24 to 30 °C (76 to 86 °F) with little shade. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable4.0
Dry leeward coast, though the wind changes from year to year. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.6
Turquoise bay, palms and black lava. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.5
Swim, transition and beach finish are together, with a large post-race party in normal years. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.7
Resort lodging in a small area, and the race sells out in about two weeks. · Low confidence
- Hotel valuePricey2.4
Hawaii resort rates. No event-specific price data. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.3
Swim, transition and finish are on resort grounds, with many hotels on site. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.2
Kona airport is about 30 km (19 mi) away, and the island is a trip from the mainland. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.9
Transition and finish sit next to each other by the water. · Low confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Resort restaurants and a shopping village. Limited town. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Waikoloa Beach Resort, Hawaii (Big Island), United States
- Typical month
- April
- Latest or next date
- 4 April 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 1,800 athletes
- First held
- 1998
- Distances
- 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Anaeho'omalu Bay (A-Bay), Waikoloa Beach Resort (bay)
- Water temperature
- 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Rarely worn; warm Pacific water, USA Triathlon rule legal up to 25.6 C (78 F)
- Swim start
- beach
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Little; leeward Kohala coast sun.
- Air temperature
- 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Humidity
- low to moderate, dry leeward coast
- Altitude
- 5 m (16 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Kona International Airport (KOA), 30 km (19 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast condos
- Booking
- Resort hotels at Waikoloa Beach; the race sells out its 1,800 spots in about two weeks so book flights and rooms early.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves, Lavaman TriathlonRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
A repeat runner scores it 5/5 with difficulty 4/5. Clear coral-lined swim in the bay, an out-and-back bike on the Queen K that is net uphill outward, then a run via a resort, trail and sand. Wind hit hard on the return in 2026 but was absent the year before.
“The wind can blow hard enough to slow you to a jogger's pace.”
- Triathlete, A Race to Tri: LavamanRaced 2022 · article · Positive
Travel feature on the course: bay swim, bike down the Queen K past lava fields, a 10 km (6.2 mi) run called rolling and tough that ends on a sandy beach. Says 1,800 spots sell out within about two weeks and local groups run aid stations.
- Alaska Dispatch News, Alaskans at LavamanRaced 2013 · article · Positive
Results story showing many Alaskans travel for this early-season race. Confirms a 1,500 m (0.93 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike and 10 km (6.2 mi) run; no conditions detail.
- West Hawaii Today, 2018 race storyRaced 2018 · article · Positive
Race story on a photo-finish men's win in 1:56:28. Reports 1,146 finishers with about 16 percent from Alaska. Run includes a lava field and about 1.6 km (1 mi) of beach.
- Big Island Video News, 2012 recapRaced 2012 · video · Positive
Video report on the 2012 race, where the pro winner broke clear on the swim. Describes a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim, a 39 km (24 mi) bike south on the Queen K and a 10 km (6.2 mi) run on resort grounds.
Raced Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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