They always TRI

Tradition and addiction again meet at water’s edge of Queen’s Beach on Sunday. This is when the Tinman Class of 1981’s reunion will be held, the alumni numbers having dwindled to a hearty three who are entered in their 33rd consecutive "People’s Triathlon" predawn in Waikiki.

Donohue Fujii, Amy Harpstrite and Leland How don’t see each other at any other time during the racing calendar. But the allure of continuing their respective streaks has them again anticipating the starter’s signal along with nearly 600 other individual triathletes and 30 relay teams.

Harpstrite, 48, was just 15 when she competed in the inaugural event in 1981. Fujii, 50, remembers needing his parents’ signature because he wasn’t yet 18. And How, also 50, was intrigued by the concept.

Work, injury and — in Harpstrite’s case — kidney transplant and pregnancy haven’t prevented them from being at the starting line.

"Back then, I wasn’t trying to start a streak," said Harpstrite, a pediatrician in Kailua. "I was just out to have fun. It was such a new thing.

"Growing up in a huge family of runners, with 10 kids, we all did all the weekly races. My dad (Peter) heard about this brand new sport of triathlon and he signed some of us up for the first Tinman. We borrowed a motley assortment of bikes and winged it."

While Harpstrite’s background was in running — she competed for ‘Iolani School in cross country and track — Fujii was a swimmer and springboard diver at Kalani High.

"I life-guarded and had a bunch of friends doing triathlons and training for the Ironman in the early ’80s," said Fujii, a civil engineer with Austin Tsutsumi & Associates. "Triathlons were the next big thing at that time and I had the opportunity to train with them.

"I never did the Ironman. Way too long. This is my yearly event that makes me focus and train hard for two to three months. I still do the North Shore Swim series, just the first two events. With my sore back and knee this year, the Tinman does not get any easier."

Fujii changed and adapted to the challenges of aging, incorporating indoor cycling at the Kroc Center and yoga at Power Yoga. He also surfs and does judo with his children.

"The key is to be active throughout the year and enjoy life," said Fujii, semi-retired from engineering and running a small business that imports widgets. "I keep coming back for the people. The volunteers and the organizers are so great. It makes you want to come back. It really is the ‘People’s Triathlon.’"

The course can be intimidating for some, starting with the 750-meter swim off Queen’s Beach. It wasn’t for How, who has competed in the 2.384-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim as well as the Honolulu Marathon and Century Bike Ride.

"What interested me was the relatively new concept of doing three events one after another," said the McKinley High grad and water service supervisor with the Board of Water Supply. "The camaraderie keeps me going and I’ll keep competing as long as my mind and body will allow."

The trio has personal bests around 2 hours, 17 minutes. At this stage of their competitive careers, it’s not about PRs.

"I always try to do my best and push hard," said Harpstrite, who has also done the Ironman and Honu triathlons. "Some years I win my age group, some years I don’t, but I don’t care. This is my tradition and my goal is to finish. And my dad always made a point of this to us, to thank the volunteers. It’s them, especially the water people, who make a world of difference.

"I think nearly everyone can do triathlons and I would encourage anyone to try the Tinman. It’s fun, the course is not so long that you’re dying at the end of it, and not so short that you ask if it was worth it. It always is."

CORRECTION: Donohue Fujii’s first name was reported as Donovan in an earlier version of this story and in the Wednesday Honolulu Star-Advertiser print edition.