Saturday August 29, 2014 @ 5:30a.m.

Aloha Runners!!! This is the first ultra distance race of this year’s H.U.R.T. trail series! TTT is a 30-mile course comprised of three 10-mile loops, with a return to the Nature Center start/finish aid station each loop. Here is the course map:

 

Gates will open for the start area by 4:30am; please arrive no later than the 5:15am check-in cut-off time to sign-in and get your race number.

IMPORTANT: A friendly reminder that the race is 100% sold out and there will be NO same day sign-ups. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

PARKING: Suggested parking is along the road on Makiki Heights Drive (starting by the pumping station at the intersection of Makiki Street); please ensure that you are parked well off the road to allow for traffic to use the road as normal. Remember that this can be a high theft /break-in area. NO PARKING IN THE TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT as these spaces are strictly reserved for hikers! Parking is allowed along both sides of the driveway below the parking lot; however all wheels of the vehicle must be off the road.There will be Parking Czars posted to direct you, please comply with their instructions.

We strongly encourage all runners to bring their preferred fuel/hydration requirements for the race! We will have the usual race munchies at the Nature Center start/finish aid station, & water/electrolyte drink at both aid stations. Bathrooms are available only at the Nature Center start/finish aid station. As these serve only one occupant, please try to “take care of business” prior to arriving at the race start.

As always, BE PREPARED FOR ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS as the weather may be very wet, hot, &/or humid.

COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS:

• It will be dark on the trail for the first hour or so of the race - make sure you bring your preferred trail lighting.
• Course markings will be ORANGE going outbound, up to the top/second pig gate and WHITE on the return to Nature Center. As always, BLUE is BAD! If you see blue, don't go in that direction. Bad sections & hazards will be clearly marked with blue ribbons. We'll remind you again on race morning during our quick briefing. Remember that course marshals instructions always override any course markings, so please always follow their instructions.
• Course marshals will be at all major junctions for the first loop or two.  Please be sure to take note of all trail markings prior to loop 3 as the course will be more than adequately marked.
• Race Course Marshals will be out on the course during the race for your safety and to direct you along the course. You must comply with ALL of their instructions. If you do not comply with their instructions, you will be disqualified from the race, so please kokua. Complaining, whining, or cursing will not be tolerated. Remember our race is FUN, so bring your smile with you race day!
• Aid stations will be at the Nature Center start/finish & at the Tantalus Road crossing @ about the 3-mile point. The Tantalus aid station will only stay open until 12:30 pm (7 hours into the race), so plan accordingly. Please carry enough fluids, taking into consider the EXTRA hot/humid weather we have been having.
• SMALL drop bags will be allowed at the Nature Center start/finish aid station, which you will have access to in between each of your loops. We cannot guarantee that the drop bags will stay dry, so please take this into consideration when packing it. Be sure to have some sort of identification on your drop bag as well as remember where you put it as the race volunteers will not be responsible for tracking, watching, or retrieving drop bags. It is the runner’s responsibility to retrieve their drop bag when coming through the aid station and at the end of the race. Volunteers will assist in refilling hydration packs/bottles and offering food, water, and electrolyte drink.
• Runners must leave the Nature Center for their 3^rd loop by the 10:45am cut-off time. Overall cut-off time for the race will be 1:30pm. If you decide to drop, please inform a race director (Jeff or Fish), so we won’t spend our evening out looking for you in the woods after the race.
• No pacers will be allowed for this race.

* Finisher Awards (designed by our very own Wily Woo!) will be given to the top 3 male & female finishers!

* Finisher swag at the finish line for all race completers!

BIG MAHALOS to all our volunteers, without whom this race would not be possible (so remember to thank them when you see them or pass them out on the course!)!! Big thanks also to Augusto De Castro Photography & Kalani Pascual for providing race photography!

See you all very soon!

Jeff F, Fish, & Julie T

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 6:30am

TRIPLE TREK COURSE PREVIEW/TRAINING

Aloha Athletes,

One more week until the big weekend! Thank you to all of you who came out for our course preview training run yesterday!! Was a super fun morning in the mud!

 

This Saturday the 22nd, JulieT will be leading the second preview/training run to go one full loop of the course again. Please meet at the picnic and restroom area at the Maunalaha trail head (by the Hawaii Nature Center) at 6:30am.

Bring sufficient water as well as any nutrition (gels, energy bars, magic potions) you require, and most of all come to HAVE FUN! If you have not yet been on the Tantalus trails please make it a point to remain with Julie and the group. See last week’s training run post for a map of the course. For the most part the race itself will consist of three loops of the course.

Everyone is welcome to join us for this training run – you don’t have to be registered for the Triple Trek race, and all levels of trail runners are encouraged to come!

Have a great remainder of week and hope to see you on the trails!

Mahalo,

Julie, Fish, and Jeff (da 3T RDs)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 6:30AM

TRIPLE TREK COURSE PREVIEW/TRAINING

Aloha Athletes,

Many congratulations to all that ran last weekend’s Maunawili Out&Back 22-miler (aka the Run with the Pigs). As usual Marian and Neal Yasuda have outdone themselves in putting on another great event that’s kept us coming back year after year! It’s now time to keep those legs going for the final race of the H.U.R.T. trail series, the Tantalus Triple Trek (3T)!

This Saturday, JulieT will be leading the first preview/training run to go one full loop of the course. Remember there are will be only two weeks until race weekend. Please meet at the picnic and restroom area at the Maunalaha trail head (by the Hawaii Nature Center) at 6:30a.m. Bring a minimum of 32 oz of water as well as any nutrition (gels, energy bars, magic potions) you require, and most of all have fun. If you have not yet been on the Tantalus trails please make it a point to remain with Julie and the group, or be with someone who knows the course. Below is a map of the course. For those unfamiliar with the trails, please feel free to print a copy for reference along the training run. For the most part the race itself will consist of three loops of the course.

Everyone is welcome to join us for this training run – you don’t have to be registered for the Triple Trek race, and all levels of trail runners are encouraged to come! You don't have to run the full distance (or you can go longer), come and do as little or as much as you like.

Hope to see you on the trails!

Mahalo,

Julie, Fish, and Jeff (da 3T RDs)

 

 

Aloha Athletes,

A huge mahalo to all of the runners and volunteers who came out for Run With the Pigs aka Maunawili 22 miler today. Marian and Neal pulled off yet another fantastic race full of the most amazing food, prizes and pig themed fun.

The Race results are here: Updated and Corrected Results From position 67, early starters listed in alphabetical order. 

See you all next for the sold out Triple Trek on August 29th!

Rosie

Maunawili to Waimanalo and Back

a.k.a. - Run With the Pigs

Saturday, August 8, 2015

The run will start at 7:00 from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.  Plan to arrive by 6:15 to get your bib numbers and check in.  All runners (including both members of a relay team) must check in at the lookout.

Parking at the lookout is limited.  We cannot use the parking lot for runner’s vehicles.  You must park on the roadway leading to the lookout.  The parking tsar will direct you at the main gate when approaching from Honolulu-side.  Please comply and do not leave your car in the parking lot.  This is one of the requirements for the permit to use the State park. The area is subject to break-ins and thefts.  Leave nothing of any value in your vehicle!

There are NO bathrooms at the start/finish.  Please be respectful and plan accordingly.  From town side, there are bathrooms at the Nuuanu Valley Park on Puiwa Street.  From the Windward side, there are bathrooms at Maunawili Park or the Windward City Shopping Center.

The run utilizes a handicapped start.  “More experienced” (aka older) folks start first; women start before men.  Your running number determines your start time.  Groups will start every three minutes until all runners are on their way.  For some, this means you get to cheer other runners for a while.

The course will be marked – PINK is the correct route; BLUE is bad. The start area and turn-around area will be marked.  For the 8.5 miles in between the ends, simply follow the trail and make no turns at intersections.  See the description below:

Each runner MUST carry adequate water for the entire 11-mile stretch of hot and humid trail.  We recommend 60+ ounces of fluids.  If you require calories during those 11 miles, it is your responsibility to have those with you.  The turn-around aid station needs to track all runners that pass through.  Make sure your bib number has been recorded. This is a low-key and fun event with few rules.  However, there are some behaviors that are absolutely disallowed and will get you disqualified:

• Littering on the trail is not tolerated.
• Conducting yourself in an aggressive or unsafe manner toward other runners, hikers, bikers, or equestrians is not tolerated.
• Short-cutting the trail is not tolerated.
• Leaving the course without notifying a race director is not tolerated.
• Whining, pouting, and being grouchy are not tolerated.  Have fun!

NOTE: There is an early-start option of 6:00 am.  If you would like this option, you must notify Marian no later than 1:00 pm on Friday at 221-5171.  You will not be eligible for any award if you take the early start.

***There will be a special award for the most enthusiastic swine swagger.  Get your pig on and enjoy a great run!

Aloha Runners/Athletes,

The race directorate, organizers, and staff have recently been peppered with questions regarding a rumor that there will be new route for this year's race. At this time the RDs and organizers would like to request that these inquires and rumors please cease. The more important task at hand should be training for the Maunawili Out&Back 22-miler, aka Run with the Pigs, especially since the trail god have decided to up the anty on that race with heat and humidity. Following the completion of Marian and Neal's also extravaganza, the RDs will post for the course preview and route map. Mahalo for your kokua!

Da 3T RDs

You can thank Co-Race Directors Melanie and Jacque (Photo credit: Angela Kwong) for creating a lot of madness at yesterday's Mango Madness trail race. I've seen a lot of photos on Facebook and it looks like everyone had a fun time. I am sure there are many people to thank for putting on this race and I am hoping someone else can jump in here to do that. 

The 2015 results are here.

Join Sean Okusko on Saturday OR Melanie Koehl on Sunday for previews #3 and #4 of Mango Madness. No one except the race directors will know the actual course, so this run will be an approximate course. But rest assured, everyone will be experiencing the same painful route. :-) Please join us either day, both 6AM starting at the Hawaii Nature Center bathrooms. Run will be anywhere from 2 - 3 hours. We'll be grabbing some extra miles after the preview is over, so come along if you're up for it! Otherwise, see you at the race on June 6. It starts at the corner of Makiki Street and Makiki Heights Drive. There is a triangular-shaped park and a pumping station. Aloha, Melanie

Join Sean Okusko and Jacque Tellei for preview #2 of Mango Madness. No one except the race directors will know the actual course, so this run will be an approximate course. But rest assured, everyone will be experiencing the same painful route. :-)  Please join us this Saturday, May 23rd at 6AM starting at the Hawaii Nature Center bathrooms. Run will be anywhere from 2 - 3 hours.

Only 4 days left to order your official Mango Madness T-Shirt! Please click the link below. Enter OAHU at checkout for free shipping. Shirt orders must be placed by Friday, May 22 and picked up at the race on June 6th. 

http://www.littlesproutshawaii.com/products/mango-madness-2015-logo-tee

Mango Madness is fastly approaching! We will be doing 3 previews in the next few weekends throughout the area where the race takes place. As you know, no one except the course marshalls will know the actual course! Please join us this Sunday, May 17th at 6AM starting at the Hawaii Nature Center bathrooms. For those that know the trails, we will be doing a modified Trek loop (approximately 10 miles). After we return to the start, some of us will head out for another Trek loop! Remember to bring plenty of water and some food. Run will be anywhere from 2 - 3 hours.

As for the official Mango Madness T-Shirts, please click the link below. Enter OAHU at checkout for free shipping. Shirt orders must be placed by Friday, May 22 and picked up at the race on June 6th. 

http://www.littlesproutshawaii.com/products/mango-madness-2015-logo-tee

Happy Training! See you this Sunday!

Melanie

Aloha Athletes!

A huge mahalo to all of the runners and volunteers who came out for Run With A View yesterday! The rain clouds started rolling in right at the race start and the brave runners had to contend with an extra slick course this year. The action shot to the right was taken by Augusto during sweeping patrol and has been deemed the official race photo. Luckily, the runner has escaped unscathed and I think this may be his new profile photo - if not it definitely should be!

Race results can be found here:   Download 10 Miler

There were all sorts of surprises to contend with this year - the day before the race we went out to mark the trail and found 3 tall trees chopped down and placed directly on the trail blocking access. Huge thanks to Jeff Fong for bringing his handsaw and clearing them off race morning. Also, I'm not sure how many folks noticed that even the aid station location moved from the time we did the pre-race check in to the time they arrived at the finish due to some issues with the parking spots being needed by the Cultural Center. Luckily all worked out...it's certainly definitely never boring be a race director.  I even gave up my own shoes to one runner who had forgotten hers and she still finished strong! ;)

This race would not have been possible without the army of volunteers, many who serve each and every race of the trail series. H.U.R.T. wouldn't exist without them, they are the life force behind everything that we do. I cannot extend enough thanks to Jeff Fong and John Antonio. John is the reason we were able to provide an aid station at the halfway point and Jeff jumped in everywhere possible - from being a course marshal at a critical turn, to clearing huge trees race morning, to coming early to coordinate the pickup of aid station supplies, as well as connecting us to John - he gets my volunteer of the race award and heartfelt thanks! Also special thanks to Benita and Arvel who volunteered to step in to run the aid station with minimal notice, Shell for being the coffee angel and bringing coffee to all of us way before the sun came up, Scot, Kelly and Augusto for sweeping the entire course from start to finish in the pouring rain, Marian for bringing insanely delicious crack treats and the big tent, Mike Hee for bringing coolers and ice and helping in every capacity, Kimo for being so on top of everything at the aid station and being an expert fruit kebab-maker, John and PJ for all the timing, tracking and check in of the runners, Sara for helping me mark the trail, and so many others who chipped in to make this race a success.

Huge thanks to my co RD Steve who on top of everything else was responsible for the beautiful awards this year. Steve Dewald and Andy Cole were two more angels who helped us clear the mass amounts of overgrowth off the trail in the weeks prior to race day. I apologize if I missed anyone by name but thank you too!

I inherited this race from our beloved Cheryl and this was my first year running with it solo. I know I speak for all of us when I say how much we missed her yesterday but I know she was secretly smiling as the heavens opened and rain poured down on the runners. She never wants it to be easy on us :)

Much love to all of you who attended and we'll see you next year. Next up in the series, Mango Madness on June 6th. Don't forget to sign up at: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=30805

Melanie and Jacque know how to put on an amazing race so don't miss it!

Also, there are some spots open for leading trail runs for anyone who is interested, just click the icon at the right to sign up. Dates have been filled for some time now, but openings are now up for grabs for anyone who wants to show off their favorite trails.

ANNNNNDDDD, congrats again to all of the Miwok runners and welcome back home!

Rosie

Aloha Athletes,

Run with a view is the 3rd race in the 2015 H.U.R.T Trail Series and it's happening this Saturday May 9th! If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time, roughly 20 slots remain. Get one at ultra signup.

I’ve been fielding a number of questions about where exactly this run starts. As most of you know, events in the trail series are low key, show up and run after getting marked with a sharpie style events. This one is no different. Race headquarters is in the parking lot of the Pearl City Cultural Center but we start the race at the end of a road, hence the ‘approximate’ location for Google maps. Just plug in the address and I promise you’ll see us race day. All you have to do is follow Waimano Home road to the end. See the more detailed instructions and link to map below. I've also created a view from Google maps to the right of what you'll see when you come up on race day, the star marks the cultural center building and the other arrows show the parking and race HQ.

About the Course:

There is one aid station around mile 5.5. It will be hot so make sure to bring plenty of water, most runners will be out there anywhere from 2 - 5 hours. In the race briefing we will review the course map and show you the ribbon markings. They will be candy cane red and white striped in color with blue being bad (as always). Never follow blue ribbons! There will also be folks on course to point you in the right direction at critical intersections. If you have to drop out, it is mandatory for you to inform one of the race directors at the start-finish, before the race is over.

Start Time(s)

Runners start at 6:30. Walkers start at 6:00. If you are starting early you must let the Race Director(s) know so we can track your time appropriately.

Parking

Make sure to leave plenty of time to park and carpooling is highly encouraged. You'll see us set up at the end of Waimano road. There's a guard shack with parking area on the left and a the big red cultural center building on the right. It is preferred that you park along the road or in the dirt lot near the guard shack. Make sure to keep those wheels off the pavement if you end up parking along the road.

Directions

To get there from town, from H-1, exit at the Pearl City/Waimalu exit. Turn right on Moanalua Road at the end of the ramp. As Moanalua Road ends, turn right on Waimano Home Road. Continue on Waimano Home road until you reach a guard shack with a parking area on the left. The trails begin at the end of the chain link fence. If you are unsure where to go, the approximate address to use in your GPS is: 2388 Waimano Home Rd, Pearl City, HI 96782.

We look forward to seeing you. Ice cold fruit kabobs and other easy to eat treats on sticks are just some of the ono treats you can expect at the finish! And for those front of the packers, this is the best award yet! You’ll definitely want to hang this one on your wall for years to come.

Rosie & Steve