HAWAIISPORTS REPORTS Here was when I saw most runners giving up the determination to attack and just walk up. Sometimes you just have to know when to buckle, I suppose.
XTERRA World Championships 21K/5K Trail Run Nov. 24, 2013 • Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, HI
5K TOP OVERALL MALE: 1. Kevin Enriques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20:55 2. Uilasho Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21:46 3. Pierce Humble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21:51 5K TOP OVERALL FEMALE: 1. Nancy Hobbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24:26 2. Rise Morisato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26:07 3. Maia Watson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26:11 — RACE REVIEW 5K by Heather Yanazaki — This was the first time I’ve ever done a trail run – but it’s definitely not my last! The 5K and 10K were non-championship distances offered at the 21K XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. This being my first trail run, I went with the 5K to ease my way in. I picked up a pair of trail running shoes a few days before the race at the advice of a friend, and boy were they were the best investment ever. The 5K terrain was mostly loose rocks on an uphill dirt road, and downhill on steep grassy fields. The shoes gave me tons of grip and resistance on the downhill portions, and allowed me to use gravity for speed while catching my breath from the treacherous uphill first mile. We arrived at 7:00am to meet with the rest of the group and avoid traffic. Next time, I’ll bring a jacket because it gets chilly out there in the morning. The race offered a free bag check or, if you prefer to keep your bags in your car, parking is right near the start line. The 21K championship race started at 9:00am, followed by staging of the 5K at 9:10am and the 10K at 9:20am. It was exciting to watch the 21K start and cheer for the soonto-be XTERRA Trail Run World Champion! Other things to note: • GPS signal for my running app worked fine (but hardly any phone reception) • Because the race started after 9:00am, we were running in direct sunlight with very little shade. Wear good sunscreen and bring your hat and sunglasses. • Bring a bottle of water and leave it in your car or at bag check. There were several aid stations along the course, but there’s only one water station at the finish line, which gets congested. • Because of their manual tracking system I didn’t have to worry about timing chips and I got a printout of my results a few minutes after I finished. • No headphones or iPods/MP3s are allowed on the course since we were dodging ATV riders, tour buses, and cows. Yes, cows.
After attacking this hill I knew I was almost home. I slowly regained my energy and picked up my pace. Only two miles left! Another mile, and I could hear voices from the microphone at the finish line just meters below the hill. With excitement, I cheered on each runner that I saw. After all, didn't we tackle three hills together? The finish line was within sight! Wait, teammates were taking photos to the right? That was the best surprise in my extensive adventure! HALF MARATHON MEN 1. Patrick Smyth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:16:38 2. Joseph Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:17:26 3. Max King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:20:53 HALF MARATHON WOMEN 1. Polina Babkina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:37:24 2. Lucy Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:37:55 3. Meggan Franks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:40:24 10K MEN 1. Jorge Mendez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38:37 2. Richard Pender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42:04 3. Scott McGray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43:38 10K WOMEN 1. Karen Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47:57 2. Vanessa Schwabenland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49:15 3. Katie Lowney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49:30 — RACE REVIEW 21K by Zara Nguyen — The Xterra World Championship off-road trail running 21K is one of the hardest 13.1 mile races of my running career (which is still a short one)! This was my second time against this monster trail and it was not easier than my first time, two years ago. The 21K consists of running around Ka'a'awa Valley twice before returning to the start/finish line. The trail started with a teaser hill which most runners were unaware of and sprinted through, only to find halfway through the hill that their legs and lungs were not cooperating with their mental state. This time, I knew to pace myself. (Perhaps a little too well, because after the hill, I had too much energy. Voom!) At the fork of the 5K route and the 10K route laid my final, final decision to continue with the 21K. Surprisingly, it does cross my mind each year to continue or to take the easy way out. But since the 21K was what I signed up for, I reminded myself to suck it up and that my training should have been adequate to get me through. After this next mile, runners get to a narrow trail, usually identifiable with a long line of other runners waiting to attack. This is probably the one part of the trail that I think can be improved upon. Widening the trail to allow enough room for two people would really streamline the course. It delayed my time by a few minutes -- not something I would like if I was trying to make PR.
Once runners got past the narrow trail, the next obstacle came at mile 6. Along the route, on mile 6, runners approach another hill, one which appears to be three times more massive than the first hill. This second hill made the first hill seem a bit silly and underrated. Assuming that you do • Lots of vendors and sponsors on site with free- not pass out from this hill, the next few miles are bies and product specials. Food trucks were sell- great, with nice greenery and forest. Then, you ing lunch too. Carry some cash since the credit slowly approach your next nightmare, a hill even steeper than the hill at mile 6. Welcome mile 10. card machines didn’t get a good signal. • There was a kids’ obstacle course, adventure walk, and kids’ sprint if you want to bring the family. I also saw several young children running the 5K with parents or coaches.
What I love most about running the Xterra? • Scenery -- lush greens of Ka'a'awa Valley.
• Tackling impossible hills, one after another. • Buckets and buckets of sweat equaling my preparation, hard work and determination.
• The finish line and the medal that has so much sweat on it!
Kailua High School Surfriders 5K
Nov. 10, 2013 • Enchanted Lake, Oahu, HI RACE REVIEW by Taylor Kirihara 5K TOP OVERALL MEN 1. Pierce Humble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17:36 2. Cedric Petty Jr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18:50 3. Colin Kubota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19:06 TOP OVERALL WOMEN 1. Fiana Kumm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20:12 2. Rise Morisato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22:53 3. Katyayani Hillier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23:42 10K TOP OVERALL MEN 1. Benjamin List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42:22 2. Jonathan Stoughton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45:21 3. Rece West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45:30 TOP OVERALL WOMEN 1. Nina Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48:31 2. Jocelyn Chong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51:38 3. Yvette Flynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55:43 Runners gathered at Kailua High School for the annual 5K/10K fun run to support the Friends of Kailua High School organization. As the rain clouds loomed, runners prepared for the slightly hilly run around enchanted lake. The 5K run made its way from Kailua High School along Keolu Drive to Keolu Elementary School before heading back to the finish line. The rain held up just long enough for everyone to finish their race but poured just as the top finishers were announced and given their a w a r d s . Congratulations to all the participants and the Friends of Kailua High School for a great run. GO SURFRIDERS!