Kahakuloa Coast Half Marathon

I found this race on the internet before we left for Hawaii, but figuring out the location of the start line was a bit of a challenge.  The race information said the race started at Fleming Park, but the GPS address was in Kahakuloa/Wailuku (which was actually the finish line).  I called the race director and posted on the Facebook site before the race and got some clarification that the start line was at Fleming Beach, about 6 miles north of Kannapali Beach where we are staying.  Score... I didn't have to drive on the scary one-lane road on the cliff with no guard rail!

The race was very small.  There were only about 100 participants and there were two different events, a half marathon and a two-person relay.  The race director warned us before we started that we wouldn't be setting any world record times.  He suggested enjoying the scenery, taking some pictures, etc.  Everything was very informal, with an imaginary start line and a loud "aloha" to signal the beginning of the race. 

My first five miles were pretty consistent.  I figured that with a net uphill, I could probably sustain about a 10-minute mile pace.  Then I got to the crazy mountain hill on mile 6 (my slowest mile).  It was one of those steep hills where it's actually faster to walk than run.  So then I changed up my strategy a bit and ran when it was downhill, flat, or just a little uphill and I walked on the steeper uphills.  That seemed to work pretty well, because my quads definitely took a pounding.  Plus I wanted to stay in a good mood and enjoy the amazing views.

Splits: 9:31, 9:32, 9:20, 9:41, 9:56, 12:31, 9:45, 10:10, 11:45, 11:27, 11:26, 11:47, 10:30
GPS: 2:17:21, 12:99 miles

After the race, we took a group picture in front of the church and then gathered around picnic tables and listened to Hawaiian music and ate breakfast.  I was there solo, and everyone was super friendly... so I stuffed my piehole and talked to random runners. 

A photo of the finish line



The bling

Aerial photo of the Kahakuloa are

 

Beatiful cliffs and scenery

 

Proceeds went to refurbish this historical church

 

Richard Ho'opi'i, a Hawaiian musician native to the Kahakuoa Village, sang us some tunes.  What a sweet man!