Run For Hope 2011

This morning was the much-anticipated Run for Hope at the Four Seasons Hualalai. This race is a local favorite because of the great post-race breakfast, awesome awards and the fact it's a fundraiser for cancer research on the Big Island. Last year, Jason won the 10k and got a dining credit for the Four Seasons. I won the 5k and got a free massage. So we were hoping for a similar result this year. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out quite the same this year.


Jason and I got to the race early to register and received our bib numbers, raffle ticket and went to pick up our chip. This was the first difference from last year - chip timing instead of JTL's timing. We were lucky we arrived early because they ran out of chips and numbers. So some people who ran the race weren't able to get their times recorded. I suppose it's a good sign that they had so many people turn out for the race, but it's a shame that not everyone could be shown in the results.

We also found out that they had changed the course this year. Instead of running the first 5k on the golf course, the course wound through the resort and along the oceanfront path. Then the 10k was two laps of the 5k course. Overall, I thought the course was great and a big improvement over last year, except for one major thing - the course was actually 3.5 miles and not 3.1 for the 5k and about 6.8 miles for the 10k instead of 6.2. Those changes make a big difference when you think you're finally getting close to the finish!

There also weren't any differences on numbers or bibs to tell the 5k runners and 10k runners apart. I ran most of the race in fourth place for the ladies, but I didn't know how many of those women were doing the 5k. When the woman I was following made the turn for the 10k, I thought I was going to get lucky and pull off another 5k win (and maybe a massage!). Unfortunately when I crossed the finish line, I saw that Karolina Wanke had run the 5k, had an awesome run, and smashed me by about 2 minutes.

After hanging out for a little while, I was able to get the camera and snap some photos of the 5k finishers, as well as Jason coming in for the 10k win. He had an awesome run on a long course.

Jason finishing the 10k

1st place woman in 10k - Melanie Aiona

Cheering for dad

Marissa Bryant-Manago

Sharon Dual

Kids complete the course with their dog!

After the race, it was time to head to the breakfast, which did not disappoint. There was plenty of food to refuel everyone after that run. Yogurt, pastries, fruit, eggs, sausage, rice and more! It was delicious and the setting on the luau grounds of the Four Seasons was great. During the breakfast time, there was also a canoe launching ceremony for cancer survivors and victims.

Then came the awards. They did things a little differently this year and the winners of each age group and overall won leis, but no big prizes. Instead, they saved all of the big prizes, such as massages, dining credits and a one-night stay for the raffle. Today was Jason's lucky day, though, as he managed to win a gift certificate to the Sea and Stars BBQ in the raffle. Same prize as last year, just a different way of winning it!

We're not sure yet how to find the results, but we'll update this post when we find the full results. For more pictures, click here. Congratulations to all participants and thanks to all the volunteers!