#6. A December to Remember

The end of the year marked a very important time for many in the Ohana. Several ran their first marathon in Honolulu all finishing and having a very memorable experience that they'll always cherish. Congrats to Lei, Alison, Marge E., Vera, Rae, Gene and Matt!
Several of the Ohana also took a quick trip the weekend prior to run on the mainland U.S. in either the Las Vegas or California International (Sacramento) marathons in attempts to either qualify for the Boston marathon, gain Marathon Maniac status, or both. The Queen, Frayed Laces, Shelley, Jerelyn, and Joe in becoming Hawaiianiacs during this two weekend marathon spree!!! Much mahalos to Maniacles and his wife for coordinating our first pre-marathon party at Buca de Beppo where the Prez and srlopez attended with many of the Hawaii Maniacs.

#7. Final Volcano Marathon

Perhaps one of the most inspiring and challenging Hawai`i marathons was the Volcano marathon, which was part of a set of Wilderness runs set within the Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai`i. Usually taking place in late July, our Ohana have always made it a point to take part in this event and enjoying the unique view and atmosphere. Deemed as 'one of the hardest marathons in the world', the most common advice given when new runners signed up was to 'add an hour to your usual marathon time'.

As this year's event date loomed, eruptions and lava flows began to form about the Pu`u O`o vent around late February. A day after the Hilo Marathon, the vent 'exploded' sending clouds of ash and an almost constant plume of smog into the air. The 'vog' created some concern about whether the race could continue, though there was also the unpredictability over a possible second 'eruption'.

During the Kona marathon in late June, further news had spread that another roadblock for the Volcano events was surfacing. A native Hawaiian group had voiced concerns about the amount the runs possibly causing harm to cultural sites. Moreover they believed that runners 'disrespected' the sanctity of the park. Continual debates created uncertainty for the future of this event, as even a drastic change in the route prompted many to not enter the event (no more treks into the lava fields).

Unhindered by the news of the event, the Ohana planned for the event and made their way up to Volcano National Park the day before with plans of having a relaxing fun evening both before and after the race(s). While awaiting the departure of our flight, Mark E and I convinced Frayed Laces to 'upgrade' from the 10-miler to the marathon. It didn't take to many 'pulled strings' to get her hooked as within two minutes we were informing all that she would doing her first marathon since her broken pelvis injury.

On Saturday (7/26), fifteen of the Ohana (including those from the Hilo Bayfront Runners) took part in what many were hypothesizing to be the last Volcano marathon. The route was an out-and-back course, taking runners through the pristine rainforests that populate the high elevations and descending to the fringes of the Ka`u Desert. Thereafter, entrants were directed back up the road and ascended Escape Road, a 2+ mile high grade jeep (dirt) trail through the rainforest.

In evaluating the 'new' course, it was found that it was actually 27+ miles! There was mixed emotions over the route with some wondering if this would be the permanent change. Several Ohana felt that this was a very challenging course and though the feeling of running in the lava field was missing, just taking part in this event was more than a reward.

In the end, the race director 'Big Dog' Joseph sadly reported a few weeks later that during very frustrating conversations with both the park administrators and cultural liaisons from the Hawaiian group, that this was indeed the last Volcano run. Many in the gang felt the sad loss as this was not only a very special event for its locality but also for its unique experience. Not only is this a loss for the running community, but also for Hawai`i's economic/tourism as the event brought in a very generous amount of mainland visitors.

#8. The Ohana keeps growing and stacking up marathons...on the East Coast!!

Our previous East Coast Ohana consisted mainly of Stroller Mom, Dad, and the kids, now it includes Laura & Jason S. along with Kristine and Justin. The Stroller family has accumulated quite a string of marathons and ultras this year as seen in many of this past year's blogs, along with making many of the Ohana here in HI a bit jealous! Laura S. is on her way to fanagling her way to becoming a Maniac as she recently completed the Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon with much support from Jason (who did the half). Justin was last heard to be busy coaching the women's cross-country team at his former college while Kristine began medical school! We miss all of them alot though it's really great to read all of thier updates, achievements and just general thoughts! Can't wait to see what 2009 brings about!!!

#9. Red Rabbit sets the bar!!! 24 in a year!

One would think moving to a colder climate with a new job, house to refurbish, and a new environment to explore would keep a runner pre-occupied from doing too many races. Well, not if you're a Marathon Maniac...especially if you're the Red Rabbit!!! After moving to Washington state (homefront of the Maniacs) in mid-September 2007, RR went on a tear doing every marathon or ultra that he could possibly include in to his travel itnerary or get to without much hassle! Since moving he's amassed 28 such events, 23 this year to date! He'll have 24 with one last marathon of year event on the 31st of this month, Mary's Last Chance Marathon (put on by the Maniacs)! His events include various ones in the Washington area (Ron Herzog 50k, Pigtails flata$$, 'the light at the end of the tunnel' marathon) as well as those on the southwest (San Deigo RnR marathon, Las Vegas marathon, LA marathon) and east coast (Boston marathon)! He even flew out to Hawai`i for the last Volcano Wilderness Run (marathon) this pastJuly (pictured w/ Mark E.). Check out his full Maniac record!

Good luck RR & TC on the final marathon! Great job to RR as well as everyone else for all your achievements in 2008! Can't wait to see what level of insanity the Red Rabbit reaches in 2009, as well as what the rest of the Ohana will do!

Happy Holidays!!!

To everyone, whether in Hawai`i Nei, on the continental U.S., or abroad, hope your holiday season if filled with much joy and happiness! Much luck and prosperity to you in 2009! Here's the group pic from this past Tuesday's Red & Green/Jingle bell Run! Take care all and see you on the roads and trails! Aloha!

The best of 2008

As the holidays inch ever so closer, we begin to move on to another year! Wow has time just flown by! For the next ten days, we'll feature the top 10 Runners' HI moments in 2008 that occured not only in Hawai`i nei but also with our Mainland Ohana.

#10. Hilo to Volcano 50k...Coming out of the cold!!!
To celebrate Shaka and Ray's bdays, as well as start off 2008 with a neat challenge, a bunch of the gang decided to run this inaugural ultra-marathon event put on by Wayne 'the Big Dog'. Besides the bday boys, others participating included Maniacles, Mark 'da Rock', the WW bros (Wyatt & Wily), TC, and the editor. We were also joined many other ultra-runners that we knew such as David C., Nick K., and Jim W. Our loyal and very patient sag-crew of Jim and Amy, drove the full 50k catering to our needs and keeping our spirits up despite the cold, windy and wet conditions (about 60 degrees C not including the windchill).
Although an 'anonymous' member of the gang suffered a mild case of hypothermia, he also made a new friend from Japan, Hide, who, along with David C., got him to the right people for much needed medical attention. Another of the gang managed to avoid the same predicament, though he had to suffer some slight humility by wearing a woman's, small, purple jacket!
All in all, it was another fun neighbor island running event that the gang will always remember as making 2008 more memorable!

Honolulu Marathon 2008...more results

Just a few other notable mentions I forgot to add in:
Kari Sakauye - 6:47:29 (her very first marathon and road race....ever!!!)
Neil Sakauye - 6:47:35 (ran/paced with his wife the entire distance...that's dedication!!!)
Brenda Yim - 3:58:34 (with a bad shoulder/back/nerve injury!)