With one of the earth’s most beautiful stretches as its course map, it’s no wonder that the annual Ha‘ena to Hanalei Run/Walk has survived and thrived for as long as it has. This year will mark the 33rd running of
With one of the earth’s most beautiful stretches as its course map, it’s no wonder that the annual Ha‘ena to Hanalei Run/Walk has survived and thrived for as long as it has. This year will mark the 33rd running of the race, hosted by the Hanalei Canoe Club, and takes place on Saturday, June 1.Last year’s event saw 661 runners register, the largest group in the event’s history. The vast majority of those participated in the main event, an eight-mile jaunt through the North Shore’s lush valleys and quiet neighborhoods. Runners begin at the end of the road, transported to Ke‘e Beach before the sun has cast its first light atop the horizon, and work their way along the coast, over the numerous one-way bridges and into Hanalei, where they finish in the club’s backyard at the Hanalei Pier.
Other options for participants are a five-kilometer run that begins and ends at the pier, as does the one-mile keiki fun run.
Last year, I wrote that I’d be participating in the popular event, then immediately suffered a knee injury that kept me on the sidelines. This year, I already know that I’ll be on the Mainland for a pair of East-Coast weddings on the day, so I suppose it’s not meant to be just yet. So, I’ll shoot for 2014.
But for everyone who can and would like to get involved this time around, registration is now open in various forms. The club’s website (www.hanaleicanoeclub.org) has online registration available. There are also forms available at Hanalei Surf Company, Federico’s in Princeville, Healthy Hut in Kilauea, Kaua‘i Cycle and Work It Out in Kapa‘a, The Foot Locker and Kaua‘i Athletic Club in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i ATV in Koloa, Kalaheo Coffee and Cafe and Da Booze Shop in Waimea.
Registration cost is $35 in advance for the eight-mile or 5K races, $45 on race day. The keiki run is $10. The entry fee includes an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on race day. The fees help support the activities and youth programs for the Hanalei Canoe Club throughout the 2013 Outrigger Canoe Paddling season.
Last year’s event winner was Hanalei’s Pierce Murphy, who finished the eight-mile run in 42 minutes, 44 seconds. The red-shirt freshman at the University of Colorado just took 11th place this past Sunday at the 2013 Nike Stanford Invitational, competing in the 10,000 Meter Run. Murphy’s time of 29:37.31 was just under 12 seconds off the lead in the 44-runner field.
Though she was not among the 20 players selected in the National Pro Fastpitch softball draft on Monday, Lihu‘e’s Jessica Iwata had a big day Saturday as the University of Hawai‘i remained undefeated in Big West play and swept a doubleheader against UC Davis. Iwata went 2 for 5 with a double, two runs, an RBI and a pair of walks after starting just 1 for 12 in conference play. UH is 6-0 in the Big West, 28-7 overall and ranked 16th in the country as it hosts University of California Riverside for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday.
• ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com. Follow David on Twitter @SimonTGI
