|
|
|
|
Kona Marathon Races Training Groups
Big changes are coming to the 22nd Annual Kona Marathon and Family Runs this year. First and most important is a location change to the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The second change is the switch from a 10k to a quarter marathon. The races will be held this year on Sunday, June 28.
Even with the venue change, Big Island Running Company still has your training covered. We will once again be offering our free training programs for all four race distances (marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and 5k). Even if you have no running experience, we can start you out with our Couch-to-5k program. More advanced runners can tackle some speed and hill training. No matter which category you fit into, we will be able to tailor a training program for all ability levels.
This year, our first meeting for the training group will be Tuesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. at the Alii Drive store, with a run following immediately after. The runs will then be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 5 p.m. and every Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. at the Alii Drive store. The training programs are designed to be completed in connection with the group runs (and work best that way), but if you can’t make the group runs, you can always complete the runs on your own schedule.
We’re also planning different talks on stretching, injury prevention, and nutrition throughout the program. We hope you will join us and pass the information along to your family, friends, co-workers, and anyone else who may be interested! If you have any questions, feel free to email melissa@bigislandrunningcompany.com or call us at 327-9333.
|
|
Standing in the Sun
The sun's rays are intense in Hawaii, and if you're out swim, bike, running, it's important to protect your skin. To help with that, we now carry the S4 brand of sunscreen. These products contain natural ingredients including zinc and titanium dioxide so they are safe for both skin and reef. And they are water resistant, providing 80 minute sun protection. We offer the 3 oz. 30 SPF sunscreen lotion for $24 and the easy-application 30 SPF Sportstick for $18.
|
|
Big Island International Marathon Recap
Unlike 2014, this year's Big Island International Marathon brought ideal weather conditions to race morning. BIIM's final four (DJ Blinn, Marie Kuramoto, David Hammes, and Cowman) all lined up on the newly certified marathon course along with 200 other finish line hopefuls. The marathon race took off exactly at 6:00am while 400 half marathon participants took off 15 minutes later and almost 200 5K runners set off 15 minutes after that.
Spectators waited along Bayfront for a glimpse at the lead runners. Jordan Lerma from Kauai took a huge lead in the half marathon while Billy Barnett from Volcano settled into the lead in the full marathon. Katie O'Neil from Oahu returned to defend her 2014 half marathon title as Leah Fitzgerald from Australia held the women's marathon lead. Mike Brunette, a runner on his 50-state quest from Illinois, passed Billy with just over a mile left in the race to win the marathon while Jordan, Katie, and Leah held significant leads over the competition in their respective races.
Big Island Running Company hosted a post-race party at Carlsmith Beach after the finish line had closed. Happy finishers gathered for food, games, and to exchange race stories well into the evening hours. It was a perfect way to end a great day for racing.
Congratulations to Big Island Running Company group members who placed in their age groups for the full marathon - Josh Sharp, Yuka Blinn, Lee Otani, and Marie Kuramoto. A special congratulations to Hilo employee, DJ Blinn, for completing all 18 Hilo marathons. This puts his marathon/ultra total at 114. More congratulations go out to group members for the half marathon - Brian Pruitt (2nd overall) as well as those who placed in their age groups - Patrick Stover, Ben Halpern, Curtis Neck, Jason Braswell, Alan Ryan, Jon Kunitake, Anna Baker Mikkelsen, Pattie Lin, Becca Rupiper, Cary Aurand, and Melody Joy Johnson. It was a special day for Anna Baker Mikkelsen, Becca Rupiper, and Amy Var - they each ran their first half marathon and have been to numerous group runs in Hilo. Congratulations to all finishers and mahalo to all the hard-working volunteers who made the race possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
