Larger than all the other islands combined, "The Big Island" is a miniature continent with 266 miles of black,green and white stunning sand coastline, dramatic cliffs, volcanic parks, exotic rivers, vast plains and even cactus studded deserts. The island is dominated by the twin peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both over 13,000 feet high and divided by ski slopes. Actually, Mauna Kea is only the top of a submerged mountain. Yet at 32,000 feet from sea floor to sky, it could be called the tallest mountain in the world, dwarfing Mount Everest by several thousand feet. "The Big Island" is the youngest in Hawaii, a mere baby at one million years old and still growing with constant eruptions and lava flows. It is one of the only places on Earth where you can still see an active volcano. Along the island's eastern edge, the desolate moonscape of Volcanoes National Park is home to Kilauea, a fiery volcano that has been periodically erupting over the last decade. Visit the charming port town of Hilo, the flower capital of the world, lined with black and white sand beaches. The Kona Coast, world famous for coffee plantations, offers stunning views of the ocean from its powdery beaches and sharp cliffs.

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Of course, many travelers and sports enthusiasts also know the Kona coast as the home of the Ironman Triathlon. The Ironman was conceived by John Collins, a Navy commander, who proposed combining three existing races to settle a debate over which was more demanding. The first Ironman event was held in Honolulu, Hawaii, in February of 1978. Fifteen men, (and no women), participated in that first race. The next year, a Sports Illustrated journalist, on the island to cover a golf tournament, discovered the tiny event and wrote a 10-page feature on it. The secret was out, and suddenly triathlon had entered the national consciousness.

Next month, the Ironman Triathlon will celebrate it's 26th anniversary, as roughly 1,500 men and women tread water in the dawn light off Kona, (where the race has been located since 1981), waiting for the sound of the start cannon. There are now dozens of Ironman qualifying races around the globe, and thousands of triathlon events nation and worldwide -- but there is still only one Ironman, and it is now referred to by most triathletes simply as "Kona".



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