Sunday, August 19, 2012

Volcano Art Center's Rain Forest Runs 2012

Yesterday we closed down the shop and headed over to Volcano for the 3rd Annual Volcano Art Center's Rain Forest Runs.  These races offered a half marathon, 10k and 5k through Volcano Village.  Since Volcano is up at elevation (approx. 4,000 feet), the temperatures are quite a bit cooler.  The weather forecasted 60 degrees at the start and that felt downright cold to all of us Kona folks. But luckily it was another perfect day in Volcano, with no rain, plenty of sun and a nice cool breeze.

Jason and Chico took some great pictures after the race was over, so you can check those out here.

Even though the weather was great, the half marathon course still provided plenty of challenges.  Rolling hills are scattered through the first 6.5-7 miles of the course and then you hit the killer hill.  This hill last more than a mile, but really feels like forever. But once you hit the top, you get to turn around and fly right back down it.  Then it's mostly downhill to the finish.

This year, Billy Barnett took first place overall with a time of 1:19:21 (he also won the race in 2010).

Billy Barnett
Steve Manning of Kailua, Hawaii took second in 1:24:22.  Jason (who won last year) took third in 1:26:02. 
Jason with his art award.
For the women's race, Amy Gordon of Waialua, Hawaii won in 1:38:25, followed by Caitlin Catella of Oneonta, New York in 1:42:06.  Elda Carreon of Kailua-Kona was third in 1:43:55. Full results from the half marathon are available here.

This run started off pretty much like a lot of Saturday mornings, with most of our Saturday morning run group racing (and wearing their Run Big! singlets).  I ran most of the race with Chitwin San Tun and Danny Jesser, finishing in 1:49:16, a time I was pretty happy with. Here are some photos of our training group and other Kona people finishing the race. (We missed one of our running group members, Don Kirby who just ran too darn fast for Jason to finish and get the camera before he came through - congrats to him for his age group win!)

John Ferdico (who did finish ahead of Chico, below)
Chico
Danny Jesser

Chitwin San Tun
Serena Chamberlain
Lisa Bryant
Lava People
Marissa Bryant-Manago
While the half marathon was out running up the last hill on Wright Road, the 10k runners were doing their thing in the Village.  Chris Gregory took first place overall in a time of 36:25, followed by Stephen Hunter in 39:10 and Joe Barcia in 39:39.  For the women, it was Keri Ogden in first place in 42:56.  Noe Waller was second in 45:05 and Kerstin Busse was third in 46:34. Full results from the 10k are available here.

Kerstin getting her award
Andrea Cobb coming into the finish
The biggest race of the day was actually the 5k, with 255 people finishing that distance.  The numbers were likely helped out by the Kea'au Cross Country team who came out and ran (and took home quite a few awards and apparently balloon art).
 
Kea'au Cross Country
Todd Mahronic of Hilo was the overall winner of the 5k in 19:30.  Basil Schuerch of Bern, Switzerland was second in 20:08 and Jeffrey Ferrell of Hilo, Hawaii was third in 20:21.  For the women, it was Shayli Nakamoto of Kealakekua, Hawaii in first place in 22:31.  Lory Hunter (22:58) and Kaylee Rapozo (23:37), both from Hilo, were second and third place for the ladies.  Full results of the 5k are available here

Ali Steiner representing Big Island Running Company with her age group award in the 5k.
The event also hosted the ever-popular keiki runs, with distances of 100 yards and 200 yards. There were definitely some future running stars at the event!



Congratulations to all of the finishers! And big mahalo to all of the volunteers and race director Sharron Faff for another great event!

After the race, we hurried back to Kona so we could be ready for the Peaman race this morning.  Results from that will be up tomorrow!



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