‘Just right’ fit keeps Tinman triathlon in the game

It’s not a competition for everyone. But what has kept the Tinman alive and well since 1980 is that it is designed to be a triathlon for anyone.

The 35th annual edition of “the people’s triathlon” is far from the grueling Ironman distances and fits somewhere in between the sprint and Olympic categories. If there was a Goldilocks theory, the Tinman would be “just right.”

Or so the 500-something athletes believe when heading into Saturday’s race that begins off Queen’s Beach in Waikiki. Prior to Thursday’s final day of walk-in registration, there were 480 individuals and 22 three-person teams entered, about a third of the field women.

The ages range from 15-year-old Ashley Fisher to 73-year-old Russel Clough. The experience level is just as broad, going from zero for the dozens of first-timers through the “Ironman Tinman Trio” of Donohue Fujii, Amy Harpstrite and Leland How who have completed all 34 of the past races.

Although the Tinman is limited to 1,200 participants, it hasn’t neared that mark in a while. Still, entries are up over last year, including some who want to check off a bucket-list item, with competitors from 15 states and seven foreign countries.

“It’s not like it was in its heyday,” race director Olga Caldwell said of 1980s and 90s. “There are so many more races now.

“People are still passionate about the sport. It’s great to talk to the first-timers or those who haven’t been with us for a while and are coming back. It really is for the common folks who want a triathlon experience.”

The Tinman priides itself on a fun, safe experience. There are hundreds of volunteers and some 130 police officers who will be along the routes that include the 40K bike ride to Hawaii Kai and back, and the 10K run around Diamond Head that finishes at Kapiolani Park.

The overall titles are up for grabs. Neither Tim Marr, who has won the past five races, nor last year’s women’s champion Marion Summerer will return to defend.