Pro Posse Racing Honu 70.3

This Saturday five Canadian pros will toe the line at Ironman 70.3 Hawaii (nicknamed Honu).  Most of this crew trains hard together in Victoria, BC.  Angela Naeth, Brent McMahon, Melanie McQuaid, Magalie Tisseyre and Karen Thibodeau will make great company on the challenging course. McMahon will have the chance to give  Craig Alexander and Luke Bell a run for their money.

Honu was first run in 2004 and presents an excellent test event for Kona. The bike course leads athletes along the infamous Queen Ka’ahumanu and Akoni Pule Highways towards the northern town of Hawi, The run is often hot and sunny and starts and finishes at the Fairmont Orchid. There are 72 age group qualifiying spot on offer for the Ironman World Championship in Kona and 40 qualifying slots to the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Mont-Tremblant.

Angela Naeth expressed her excitement for Saturday to TMC. “Having a strong contingent from Canada for Honu 70.3 is exciting. We’re a small group of professionals who all know one another quite well and everyone is always so supportive of each other.  The island of Hawaii is in fact where I met a number of fellow Canadians and have become friends with a handful of them. It’s a special place and the race itself is one of kind.  Honu 70.3 has all the elements I love – wind, heat, humidity and an undulating course. I haven’t experienced the run course but it sounds right up my alley – golf cart, grass and a 1.5 mile long stretch of hot lava road. It should be a great race and post-race fun! “

For her part Tisseyre said, “I am looking forward to racing with my Canadian buddies! It makes things more exciting to have them here. Brent, Mel and I live and train in Victoria so we are close and Angela and I are also Shimano/ Pearl Izumi teammates so I think there will be a lot of positive energy on the course!  This race is a treat, it’s so beautiful out here. I am looking forward to starting the day on a wonderful beach, test my legs on part of the Ironman world championships bike course and face the challenges of a hot run!  It’s a great way to kick off the qualifying round for me. It is not hard to race happy in such a beautiful place.”

Stay tuned for what are sure to be some great results.