‘OMA‘O — The Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run could not happen last year because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
But Aaron Hoff, founder of the UHTR and the presenting Keala Foundation, said the UHTR will be back in two forms — an in-person run in ‘Oma‘o, and a virtual event — on Saturday.
“The run was canceled last year because of COVID-19,” Hoff said in an email advisory. “But it’s back. Event organizers are working with the state and the county to get it up and running.”
One of the conditions for the run taking place in the pandemic environment is the following of COVID-19 health and safety rules that include wearing face masks, social distancing, and no large group gatherings. Additionally, participating runners will be required to show proof of vaccination card or a negative test result.
Registration will be accepted until Sept. 17, and can be done by visiting the Keala Foundation website at kealafoundation.com. Registration can be done for either the live, in-person event, or the virtual run.
When registered, participants will have the opportunity to fundraise through a fundraising page and share why they race. Runners also receive a race shirt or tank top, a Keala canvas tote bag and race bib.
Categories available for competition during the in-person event include a 10k adult, 5k cruise adult, 5k adult, youth 5k, youth 10k and youth 5k cruise Run. Registration fees for the different categories are on the website.
Street Parking with Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run is the virtual version, with registration also available through the kealafoundation.com website. The virtual event also takes place Saturday in homes of Keala Foundation global communities.
Events available in the Street Parking version include running, walking, rowing or bicycling.
Registration is available for The Big Kahuna package that includes a special-edition race shirt, a race bib, a month of Street Parking membership, and eligibility for giveaways, including a trip for two for the 2022 Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run.
The Small Kine Fun package includes a race bib that becomes the badge to represent from home, and a mailed-out bag of swag. This package does not include the special-edition race shirt or Street Parking membership.
In addition to the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run, the Keala Foundation is also presenting its first fundraising golf tournament at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course on Wednesday with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.
Golfers are invited to register as an individual, twosome or foursome for the game played in a four-person scramble format with numerous on-course events and competitions, including longest drive, closest to the pin and more.
Registration for the golf tournament can also be accomplished at the kealafoundation.com website.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
