"On our way to my 11th race on the Big Island the ancient Roman saying, "All roads lead to Rome" became clearer to me. Thousands of years ago Rome built an empire that drew all of Europe (and much of the rest of the world) to a central citadel. As we made our way back to Kona—our "home away from home,"—we again became aware how this tiny Kailua village has done much the same today.
It starts when we get on the plane. Fate and the fickles of frequent flier miles would take us first through San Diego, where we would meet IronKid Tristan Bunch returning from his second-place finish at the nationals in Florida. When we saw the fit young man, tall beyond his years, we thought he might be on his way to Kona to race. But at only 14, he is definitely still a kid in Iron terms."
