Big Island International Marathon by Shirely

Big Island International Marathon

Hilo, Hawaii

http://www.runhawaii.com

808-969-7400 or info@runhawaii.com

Race held on Saturday, mid-March

The Big Island International Marathon is a very small race held on the Big Island with lots of “aloha spirit.” The race is growing in size every year and had about 200 marathoners in 2004, many of which were from Japan. In addition to the marathon event, there is also a shorter race of 10.8 miles held in conjunction. A 3.1 mile fun run/walk is held the day before. Marathoners start the same time as those running the 10.8 mile race, 6 am. The time limit to run the marathon is 7 hours. No race chips are used.

Course and Weather Conditions

The race course is a gorgeous point-to-point course that starts at the Kulaimana Community Center in Pepeekeo, about 11 miles north of Hilo. Runners can take a free bus provided by the race organizers or be dropped off at the start by someone else. There is no transportation back to the race start, however, and cars cannot be left at the community center.

The accessibility low cost viagra icks.org of this medicine made them easier as they do not last for a longer period of time. The symptoms are tadalafil for women excruciating pain mostly behind the eye, typically on one side of the face, with watery eyes, flushing of the face and nose congestion. With VigRX Plus, you will accept best abiding erections, added animal libido, alarming orgasms, a beyond penis size, and a happier sex purchased this cost levitra lowest life. It is a costly cheap professional viagra medicine that cannot be affordable by all. The first 10 miles of the course drops a net amount of 500 feet but a few challenging hills are encountered while running past gorgeous waterfalls, rainforests and scenic beach overlooks. Those running the 10.8 mile race finish when they reach the north side of Hilo at the Hilo Bay Front Park area while marathoners continue on to run around the city of Hilo itself. The course from here on out is relatively flat. Marathoners will run past huge banyan trees, on part of a National Guard base, past more scenic lava beaches on the south side of Hilo and finish back at the Hilo Bay Front Park. The course is USATF certified.

March weather in Hilo is relatively cool for Hawaii but pretty warm and humid for most visitors. Rain showers are common in the mornings, which is no surprise considering how lush and green the area is. Expect temperatures at the race start to be in the high 60’s to low 70’s. The temperature by noon time will usually be up around 80.

Support

Aid stations are located about 2 miles apart, well-stocked with water and manned by very friendly, enthusiastic volunteers. After mile 16, sports drinks, gels and sponges are also available. Spectators are hardly seen in the first 10 miles of the course, but runners will be too distracted by the beauty of the scenery to notice. Once in Hilo, pockets of cheering crowds are seen along parts of the course. Most of the spectators are in the Hilo Bay Front Park area near the 11 mile marker and the finish line.

Bathrooms are available in the community center where the race starts and there are public restrooms at the finish line area, which is also near the 11 mile marker for marathoners. I didn’t notice other port-a-potties along the course but I’m sure there were some for runners as well as some at the beaches we ran past. The course and mile markers are clearly marked with ample course marshals and police on hand to help direct runners and control traffic.

Other

The Big Island International Marathon organization is very well organized. The race cost, which doesn’t include the pasta dinner, is very affordable if you register before November 1 and get the 50% discount. The expo for this very race was very small, as one would expect. Runners received a very bright colored short sleeved cotton T-shirt and a rather plain medal. There was plenty of drinks, fruit and sandwiches available at the finish line along with some live music from the city band. The mayor of Hilo was at the award ceremony to congratulate all race award winners, which shows how important this race is to him and his community. First-time visitors to the Big Island should allow several extra days to enjoy the many other activities available on the island.

 

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About Jerry Schaver

Personal History of Jerry Group Director of the 50 and DC Marathon Group from 2002 to 2011 Jerry was born and raised in a small community in Albany, Illinois along the muddy Mississippi river. Jerry still resides in Albany today. He is the youngest son of three boys. He graduated from Fulton High school in 1977. He has one daughter, Nichole and grandsons, Hunter and Nolan. Jerry works for Alcoa Mill Products in Bettendorf, Iowa. Jerry also does volunteer work for the Special Olympics, YWCA, and local races in the community. His life lessons were learned from his grandfather on how to be compassionate with others and to make life simple. Jerry enjoys many hobbies. Hiking in the woods, enjoying the nature and wildlife, or viewing the mountains, and maybe climbing a few too! Motorcycle riding has became his new passion, along with bicycle riding. Jerry bikes either to help recover from injuries, or for an alternative to training. Recently he has got his grandson involved in bike riding with a trail along bike. The two of them enjoy riding on the local bike path. Weight-lifting is an important hobby but also a great tool for marathon training. Jerry was a heavy smoker and overweight when he decided to take up running to get back into shape in 1994. He first tried out small races but went on to do his first marathon in 1995 in Chicago. He had no experience and no one to give him advice and learned that day he had a lot to learn yet. Jerry became determined that running marathons was something he wanted to continue to do. Jerry became a member of the 50 and DC Marathon Group in 1999 after completing 20 states as in the old rules. After being in the group a few years he felt there was a need to have a website to help with the growing number of members. Jerry with the help of his web-designer friend Bob developed a website for the group in 2001. He also is the web host of the website, taking care of all the members’ stats and etc. Jerry was the Group Director of the 50 and DC Marathon Group since December 1, 2002. Through his travels on marathons, he has developed many friendships around the world. Jerry has traveled twice to Cuba with World T.E.A.M. Sports to run marathons, but the main goal of the trips was to help the disabled Cuban athletes with hand-cycles and medical injury prevention. His compassion for helping the disabled has enabled him to help them with their goals of doing marathons by allowing them to join the 50 and DC Group under special rules. Long term goals for Jerry include running marathons in Russia and Ireland. And hopefully in the future have his two grandsons by his side running a marathon with him. Jerry lives by his motto of “I can, I will, I’ll try, I do.”