Iván Álvarez and Jaime Menéndez de Luarca seek to be finishers in Kona for 5ª time.

This year there will be two other triathletes who will try to join the "club" of the five: Iván Álvarez y Jaime Menéndez de Luarca.

The Catalan Albert Comas was the first Spanish age group to be a finisher five times in the World Cup Hawaii Ironman. Last year he was also Catalan Guillermo Lladó equaled that feat, both being the Spanish GGEEs that had managed to compete more and more times finish in Kona.

This year there will be two other triathletes who will try to join the "club" of the five: Iván Álvarez y Jaime Menéndez de Luarca.

Iván Álvarez

Ivan Alvarez Ironman Kona

She has 39 years, manages her own business and belongs to the Trisport Sierra de Madrid club. He has run in Kona in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015, his best time of 9h09 '. Last year he managed to get on the podium to be 5º in his age group (In Kona are the triathletes who climb the podium)

 

Jaime Menéndez de Luarca

Jaime Menéndez de Luarca

 

He lives in a town northwest of Madrid, with great facilities for triathlon. He has always run in Kona in even years (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), his best result being 14º placed in 40-44 in 2014 with 9h27 '.

In this edition he hopes to be able to fight to improve it, since up to now in all the marathons he has accused the heat a lot. In Vichy 2015 it was very hot and he thinks he learned to handle it, although in Hawaii the main problem is humidity.

 

This year you are competing in your 5º World Ironman Championship. In which race did you qualify?

Ivan: In Lanzarote (Ivan won in 35-39 and he was also the best of all age groups)
James: In Vichy 2015 with a time of 9h08 and 1º placed in 40-44

What can you highlight about your previous participation in Hawaii?

Ivan: In 2011 was the first Spanish. Last year I got on the podium, being 5º of my age group and 41º of the general.

James: Each year has been different; 2008 was special because it was the first edition, but work problems prevented me from enjoying it. In 2010 I went alone and Eneko Llanos, Ruth Brito, Fernando García Aja and Inma Pereiro adopted me. In 2012 and 2014 I went with my wife, an endurance athlete like me, and I learned to live them without the pressure of a beginner and getting to know other aspects of the Island outside of triathlon.

What are your goals in this year?

Ivan: Try to improve my 2015 result

James: My main objective is to feel competitive in the marathon and not just survive. If I get this, my biggest hope is to be able to fight for the 5 top that physically goes to the GGEE podium at Sunday's party. In 2014 I stayed at 9 minutes with a marathon of 3h23 and I would like to go one step further.

What advice can you give to the Spanish who make their debut in Hawaii this year?

Ivan: This race is very hard and particular. The marathon is a hell in flames, for this they have to be very strong in the head and endure, not give up. It is a race in which you can not have doubts and have a very cold mind.

James: It is a party to which the invitation has been won. Without pressure, they will arrive higher, and not be carried away by the whole party of the previous week

Finally, do you have any special thanks?
Ivan: To my sponsors, especially Tomtom, thanks to your help, I am one more year here and my girl, Carla is the best companion I could have.
James: To my trainer from 2010 Alberto García, to my wife Sonia Bejarano and to my family.

Thank you very much guys for the interview, from Triatlonnoticias we wish you the best in Kona.

Ivan: Thanks to you we hope to have a good race.

James: Greetings and thank you!

(Photos Jaime: Pálmaces Triatlon, Ivan Photos: Farmacasal and Photodeporte)
 

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