Athletics: Running In Paradise - A Few Days On The Big Island

By JAMES RAIA

The Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon on Hawaii in October and the Honolulu Marathon in December on Oahu represent the Hawaiian Islands' oldest and most well-known endurance events.

But Kauai to Maui, Hawaii is also a year-round haven for a multitude of other running, cycling, triathlon and open-water endurance activities -- local fun runs to small-niche marathons and ultramarathons and traditional canoe races to unheralded international events like the Xterra World Championship.

Much like other tropical climates, however, Hawaii has its share of unique circumstances.

Whether it's athletes competing in organized events or tourists maintaining a modified training routine on the property of a plush resort, the climate rules.

Consider, for example, the Honolulu Marathon (this year scheduled Dec. 14). During its more than 30 years, the average temperature has varied approximately 25 degrees during race. It begins at 5 a.m., usually with temperatures in the low 60s. Five hours into the event, as many middle-of-the-pack runners are finishing, the temperature usually has risen into the mid-80s. And the percentage of humidty may be the same.

Endurance athletes visiting the islands, therefore, must pay particular attention to the environment. In short, exercise enthusiasts seeking to train in Hawaii face hot, humid, windy, rainy and largely exposed conditions -- sometimes all at the same time.

Yet, even for tourists staying at lavish resorts in Waikoloa and farther north along the Kahola Coast on the Big Island -- facilities often more focused on golf and other non-endurance activities -- runners have not been forgotten.

At the Hilton Waikoloa Village, for example, guests who request a running route are often directed toward a three-mile route on the King's Road. It takes runners toward the end of the property as it intersects the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, part of the cycling and running routes during the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon.

Leanne Pletcher, the property's marketing manager, is a runner. It's no coincidence, therefore, that the resort hosts guests competing in events ranging from the aforementioned Hawaiian Ironman to the long-standing Peaman (beginning/short-course) triathlon series to the Lavaman and Dolphin Dash races.

Organized running events or suggested running routes aren't as much of a priority farther north along the Kohala Coast at the Hapuna Beach Prince Resort. But that won't deter a visitor with an urge to exercise from running through the property's bountiful walkway or doing repeats on the resort's "hidden beach."

One morning on my visit, I left my room, arrived at the nearly empty beach shortly after sunrise, and ran back and forth on perhaps the one-quarter mile beach for an hour.

It was unique yet glorious way to run five miles -- barefoot, carefree and the ocean's warm waves awaiting for a relaxing swim when the workout was done.

Catherine Tarleton, the hotel's sales and marketing assistant, said that guests do ask about running. Her advice: common sense.

Runners unaccustomed to the Hawaiian weather conditions should run early in the morning, wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.

And from many years of experience, what may seem like simple things to remember can't be stressed enough.

For additional information about accommodations and other offerings on the Big Island, visit the web sites:

>BigIsland.org<

>PrinceResortsHawaii.com

>Hilton Waikoloa Village.com

© Copyright 2004, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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