Ultraman is a sacred triathletic circumnavigation of the Big Island of Hawaii which has taken place for 27 years on the three days after Thanksgiving. Day One begins with a 10 kilometer swim from Kailua Pier to Keauhou Beach and finishes up with a 90-mile bike south to Volcanoes National Monument which includes 7,800 feet of climbing.
All photos © Timothy Carlson
Amber Monforte set the Ultraman world on fire last year by smashing Tina Bischoff's 21-year-old women's course record. This year the Reno, Nevada nurse came to defend.
The remarkable Amy Palmiero-Winters of New York City kisses her two children before the start of the swim.
The Ultraman swim start offers a little more elbow room than that race that takes place six weeks prior.
Gary Wang slices through the water on his way to a 3:17:41 10k ocean swim.
Kayakers form a bond with their Ultraman swimmers.
Swimmer in silhouette gives the chaka sign.
Swimming down the Kona coast.
Swimmer follows the lead of his standup paddler.
Richard Roll emerges from the water with the day's fastest swim - 2:18:54.
Alexandre Ribeiro of Brazil, a 4-time Ultraman World Champion entering this year's event, unzips after his 2:47:29 swim.
Martin Raymond, a member of the Canadian forces in Afghanistan, prepares to bike after 4th-best 2:35:47 swim.
Scott Gower transitions from swim to bike with the help of his family.
Amber Monforte rides past an antique shop on the road to Volcanoes National Monument - and a Day One time of 8:20:31.
Michael Coughlin of Canada had the fastest bike split on Day One - which did not interest the Zebra at Mile 30 one bit.
Richard Roll rolls through Na'alehu on his way to a 4th-best Day One time of 7:55:55.
Nino Cokan rides downhill at the southernmost point of the course at Honuapo,
Jonas Colting of Sweden blitzes the final 4,000 foot climb on his way to a 31-minute Day One lead.
Michael Coughlin has a well-trained crew remove his bike shoes after the day's fastest bike split of 4:50:19.
Coughlin then sets in a rubber tub filled with ice cold water to stem the swelling of his thrashed bike legs.
Giorgio Alessi of Italy was the drama king of Day One as he made the 12-hour stage deadline by 16 seconds.
