2017 Kona Marathon Events – Race Recap

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2017 Kona Marathon Race Recap Sunday morning June 25th, my first quarter marathon. Yes, I have done hundreds of marathons, but it’s been a while since I ran one and I’ve never done a Quarter Marathon. So, grateful the Kona Marathon Events offers not only a Quarter, but a 5K, Half and Full Marathon. Could I have done the half or the full? Sure. But I really wanted to be there to cheer on the other runners and interview the winners of the half and full. In addition, my training has not been quite up to speed, so this was perfect. The start line is about 1 mile from the host Hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa. I just want to point out that the hotel is fabulous. Here are a few pictures of how amazing it is:
The start line is near the Queens Market Place and there was a shuttle from the hotel to take you to the start. Of course, I woke up late and ended up running to the start line and wasting half my energy. Good job Julie. All I can say is, thank goodness for the UCC Kona Coffee that was waiting for me at the start line. Other than my tardiness it was a magical start to the race. As the sun rose up over the mountains, Miss UCC Kona Coffee was there to add to the beauty and I was there to get it on video and capture all the exciting faces and spirits ready to run. I met a new friend, Megan, who was also running the quarter. She turned out to be quite the speed demon and in my age group.

 

 
I also met many friends at the Health & Fitness Fair on Saturday at the Hilton when they stopped by the Project Purple table. So many people have been affected by pancreatic cancer. I was very grateful to be out there doing my part, advocating for a cure and representing the nations largest pancreatic cancer running charity. A huge mahalo to everyone who used the discount code KMGODDESS and especially the Kona Marathon for donating $1,160 to Project Purple. You were the runners who made it possible. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. We are in this together.
We even brought darling Amelia, my Grandbaby to help represent.
It was now time to start the Quarter Marathon. It wasn’t too hot since the race starts nice and early and they have water misters to run through on the race course and I took full advantage of each one. The volunteers were out in force. Very grateful to see their smiling faces and aloha spirit. I bought some new shoes to give me that extra pep, but the only pep seemed to be coming from the UCC coffee I drank before the race. My shoes felt like I was running in snow boots. Good thing I was doing the Quarter. I tried running in the Hooka shoes for a few reasons, one because they were purple and two because I really thought they would be the perfect ones. Yeah, maybe if I want to climb a volcano but not run a fast race. I still ended up 3rd in my Age Group with a 10:20 pace. I will take it, since it was my first Quarter Marathon, that’s an instant PR, right? Don’t answer that. My friend won 3rd FOA and 1st AG. Maybe one day I will too.
  The winners of the Half were Christopher Rayder 1:17 and Holly Ballenger with a 1:35. The winners of the Full were Kentaro Mesuda, 2:52 and Bree Wee, 3:08. I caught up with Bree after the race and was so honored to meet her, I could barely ask any questions, I was so nervous, but she was super nice and gracious.

The finish line was beautiful, my husband David and volunteers helped decorate it, complete with flowers, local ferns and love. The finish line food was in abundance as was the aloha spirit of the Big Island of Hawaii.

After the race my husband went back to the hotel to enjoy all it’s beauty, the pools with the family, the waterfalls, did some paddling with the baby and got caught in a wave. I can’t wait until next year’s 25th Anniversary of the Kona Marathon, June 24, 2018. Not sure how it will top this year, but excited to find out and so should you be. Join me in Hawaii for a “runcation” and use the KMGODDESS coupon code when you register to receive $10 off your Marathon or Half Marathon entry fee or $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Plus, the Kona Marathon Events will match those amounts in a donation to Project Purple at the end of the event. A hui hou . . . . . see you next June, Julie xo Marathon Goddess

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