2013 Honoka'a Runs - 5k, Half Marathon and 30K

Last weekend was the second annual Honoka'a Runs, including a 5k, half marathon and Waipio Challenge 30K. Last year I was able to run this race as part of my training for the Honolulu Marathon.  Unfortunately this year I've been sidelined by plantar fasciitis and wasn't able to make a return.  But luckily John Ferdico and Chico headed up to run and document the event for us!  More photos from the race are available here.

Last year's 5k winner Rob Van Geen supporting the race.

The course for these races starts at the Honoka'a Sports Complex and runs the road out toward Waipio Valley.  As we found last year, that road is downhill leaving Honoka'a and of course then all uphill on the second half of the runs.  So this run is challenging and not the fastest one on the island!

For the 5k, Nemanja Jovanovic took first place in 20:35, followed by Patrick Baker in 20:58.  Hauoli Akua was third in 22:38 and Chico finished in fourth place in 23:26 before becoming our official photographer.  For the ladies, Abby Melling came in first in 25:09, followed by Kelly Hudik in 27:37 and Wendy Clark in 28:03.  Full results from the 5k are available here.

In the half marathon, Alan Ryan edged out Ryusuke Murao to take first place 1:2724 to 1:28:40. Joe Barcia took third place in 1:29:52.

Alan Ryan

Nancy Kramer was the first female finisher in the half marathon with a time of 1:51:48.  Erin Rene was second in 1:54:32 and Winona Chen was third in 1:55:02.

Nancy Kramer

Full results from the half marathon are available here.

In the 30K Waipio Challenge, Chris Gregory ran away from the field in a time of 1:54:01.  Jonathan Peralto was second in 2:03:13, followed by Kenneth Stover in 2:16:12.

Chris Gregory

Yuka Blinn took first place for the women in 3:07:27, with Ashley Drake (3:23:40) and Amanda Vuniwai (3:32:21) behind her.  Results from the 30k are available here. And here are a few more pictures of the morning:

Congratulations to all of the finishers of the Honoka'a Runs! There's no resting here on the Big Island with several events up this weekend. First tomorrow morning is the Run for the Dry Forest 5k/10k out at Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a - only of the only trail runs on the island!  Then tomorrow night you can Race the Reaper in the Waverider Triathlon Club's 5k starting at the Kona Community Pool at 5 p.m.  Sunday morning is a Peaman race with a 1/3 mile swim and 2 mile run.