This was the first year they started this race. I had the pleasure of following and taking photos…read moreof the brave cyclist from the start to the finish line in the comfort of my SUV. This race was nothing but a hill sprint! Hard? It looked hard! I was tried just watching the cyclist climb the elevation of "Pineapple Hill".

#136 of 2017 This is…read morea major Surfing Championship put on by the World Surf League and sponsored by Billabong. The WSL is the major governing body of professional surfers from all over the world. They took over the Association of Surfing Professionals in 2015. The competition is a tour of events based on points. It culminates in Hawaii at the Pipeline Masters. This is the final event that determines the World Champion. You can check out the website to get a better understanding how this system works and an evolution of the organizing bodies of professional surfers. The 2017 competition was scheduled for Dec. 7 to Dec. 20. The best surfers in the world come out to compete and it is worth watching. Congrats to local haole boy John John Florence who took the title this year for the 2nd time in a row. The beach is a big expanse of white sand. It is best to get here early to clam your area. If the water is not too rough you can go in for a little swim to cool off. On occasion you can see a turtle. Might even see a whale breach out in the horizon. And, if you stay late enough you will catch a nice sunset. Not all the days have competition. You cannot control mother nature so you end up going on her time schedule. The good thing is there are a few things to do. You can check out the big booth Billabong sets up to get your exclusive Pipeline merchandise. You can also go hiking. And, there are some good eats set up through the residential who have decided to take advantage of the event. You can find crafts, poke bowls, acai bowls, tacos, plate lunch all kinds of things to eat. It's a good thing the event lasts almost 2 weeks. Parking is tough. You will see many cars park along the side. I could not tell what was legit. Reading the signs made it more confusing. What was not confusing was the cop ticketing all the cars parked on the side. We walked a good distance watching and he didn't skip a single car. I guess he was doing the tag 'em now let them sort it out in court thing if they want to fight it. I did not want to go that route. Some of the residence in the area were offering parking on their property for $10. That was the safer bet. Left the car there for many hours and it was all right. Didn't feel worried at all. I wonder how many tickets were given out? Lucky we live Hawaii that we can see this major event still here in the islands. Check it out while you still can.

I would give the Bubble Run a zero if I could. The run was scheduled for February. The race…read moreorganizers changed the date to OCTOBER! Now they won't give me a refund saying it was nonrefundable. I'm sorry, you changed the date to 8 months later than originally agreed up on. I signed up because it was a date that I could attend, then you change the date to a new date that I can't, I should get my money back. Nevermind that they also changed the location twice. Don't sign up. They say it is free and it is not! Then they do whatever they want like your life revolves around their schedule and expect you to go with whatever they change to.

The event itself is cool but organisation is poor.I recommend it anyway. They should work better on…read morethe registration process.

Before this year, I quickly dismissed any invitations to running events. And when I say quickly, I…read moremean I wouldn't even consider it. But now that my daughter is 8, I like to look for active and fun events we can do together. The Color Run caught my interest because it was a fun run and not timed so we could take our time walking. She had been exposed to a mini-Color Run at her Summer Fun program so she was excited about it. On race day, we found parking easily near the event out in Kapolei. The race was well organized and they sent participants in waves with runners on the left and walkers on the right to avoid being overcrowded. The course is marked with 4 color stations (blue, pink, orange and yellow) with a water station before the last color. But if you have kids in your group, definitely bring your own water. We learned our 8 year old girls got very whiny when hot. The girls immediately perked up when running through the color stations where volunteers would motivate you with high fives and douse you with color powder. At the finish line, they passed out packets of color powder and our shiny medals. The girls had the best time at the end of the event throwing powder EVERYWHERE. This was probably the least exciting part for me as I learned at the orange station that there is such a thing as throwing too much color. Totally worth it though! Especially when my daughter thanked me for taking her because she had so much fun.

Yelp 365 Challenge x 2 #248/365…read more FUN RUN! How can you give it any less especially when it's all about family, friends, co-workers, or individuals running around being doused with different colors? I love the fact that they did some adjustments to the run from last year. Last year, there were no wave starts. This year there were different starting times. At first, I thought there wouldn't be that much runners considering there was the Run or Dye in September but there were quite a lot of people that showed up. Last year, I ran on my own but this year-my kids and sisters joined in on the fun. Unfortunately for my nephew, he refused to run thinking it was "uncool" but my sister showed him the videos that she took prior, during and after the run with his cousins having fun (sucks to be him). The Color Run also teamed up again with Ocean Lotus, which is a great cause. The course was the same as last year! As for me and my family? We were happy unicorns and have already made plans to do this again next year. Few tips: 1) This is a fun run-so there IS NO TIMING. If you are in for timing, sign up for other races that aren't fun runs 2) Have a fun attitude! 3) Get your family and friends to all go as a team! It's fun and way better than running on your own!

Yelp 365 Challenge #122/365…read more After the Great Aloha Run, I had the insane idea to sign up for another run...the 15th Annual Ford Island Bridge Run, which is only 6.2 miles. I figure I would train on the days that I don't attend TRX classes by running around my neighborhood. However, there are times when plans don't go according to your agenda especially for me. And I have that type of personality where it grates on my nerves and it will gnaw at me for days afterwards. For instance, the past three weeks-I haven't been up to par in health. In fact, my coughing is still here but not as bad as before. I've only returned to TRX classes last Thursday. So, for me to expect to do my best on race day...I was setting myself up to having too much of high expectations. Nevertheless, I still got up early plus I was using my running clothes--so all I had to do was put on my contacts, brush my hair, and brush my teeth. Drove to the stadium but the gates weren't open yet, so I drove to SackNSave to pick up bananas and water. Parked in the Aloha Stadium overflow parking lot and ate a banana (I should have ate more as well as whole wheat bread but I didn't). Drank some water and by 6:15, I decided to walk across to Richardson Field and waited with the rest of the runners/walkers to be instructed to line up at the start line. I stretched... Observed... Took pics of my shoes and surroundings... Waved hi to a few co-workers and silently prayed while reminding myself to pace myself. 7:00AM (It begins) Ran slowly on the bridge....first HILL (I HATE HILLS) Off the bridge and rounded the corner to the first mile marker and noticing in the far distance...the runners that were ELITE RUNNERS passing the four / five mile MARKER. And this is what happened... I allowed discouragement to set in...(bad thing for me to do) By the three mile marker...my stomach started burning because I burned up that LITTLE APPLE BANANA, which I had to slow my run down to where I decided to walk for my body to adjust. However, I was allowing myself to notice other people especially walkers pass by me. So, I started jogging really slow. This is when the sun came out from the clouds and blast me with its rays (good thing I had a bottle water). Another thing that slowed me down, (my fault!) was the fact that I was taking in all the historic building surroundings as well as making a note to go to Pacific Aviation to check out the planes! The water stations were at perfect intervals but it was luke warm water. However, thank you to the volunteers who were quickly handing out waters and cheering us on. As we rounded the last circle before heading back to the bridge, I noticed that some cars were impatient and attempting to drive in the midst of runners (boo!) Finally, the bridge loomed ahead and at first I was jog/walking behind other walkers before realizing that I am able to run around them. There were the camera people waiting to take pictures but um...NO, I was actually becoming grouchy because I swear...I hate hills. I had to run the hills on the bridge...then I had to run up the hill to round the corner to get to Richardson Field. I was not a happy person because I allowed discouragement to get the better of me. I was that irritated at everything, that I decided to sprint it just to get it over and done with. The finishing time on the clock was 1:43:36, however, official time was 1:43:00 (I made it under two hours, thank God). But, like a petulant child after accomplishing something, I just headed to the table that was offering water and gatorade. I grabbed my bottles and watched the awards ceremony. Megan Clark (my trainer) at SOHI Fitness placed THIRD for OVERALL WOMEN in this event. How cool is that? Plus, the trophies were koa wood (I think). There was some entertainment afterwards but I didn't stay. I chose to pick up my grandson and rest for the remainder of the day. Overall experience, it was a good run. It would have been a BETTER RUN if I did the following: 1) Eat a little more before the race 2) Understand that because I was just getting over being sick...my timing will be all right 3) Don't look ahead to see the elite runners and get discouraged because after all, I am running for me and no one else... 4) To remember to take my inhaler before stepping out of the car 5) TO HAVE FUN Will I do this one again next year? I think so.

What a fun event! Parking was a bit of a headache so next year I'd go a little earlier. Weather…read morelooked dreary but ended up being just perfect; a little sunny then overcast. The run takes you through all the historical buildings; by the bowfin, behind the air museum and down and around the runway back up and through the renovated living quarters. Everyone was so lighthearted and friendly which made the run really fun. The best thing, though, were the snacks at the end of the run. After making the tredge back up&over the bridge, meadow gold trucks were waiting to pass out popsicles, milk, yogurt &cottage cheese. What a treat. I'd definitely do this run again.

April 15, 2012 was the 2nd annual North Shore marathon. This small race is held up in beautiful…read moreHaleiwa / North Shore area. While I didn't run this race personally, I have many friends who did. It was a fun day to see them finish the race and capture age group awards for a hard effort that paid off. This race runs along the back roads of Haleiwa town, looping twice for the first 2 miles, then a notorious out and back section for a good 10 miles one way before returning to the finish at Kalaka Bay Beach Park. I myself did not want to participate in this one, since the Hawaii heat affects me somehow. It's just weird. It's easier on the mainland when it gets hot. The views of the North Shore are great at the finish. The finisher's medallions are ok. Besides the heat, it was logistically impossible for me to drive from East Oahu to Haleiwa at 2am. While there is a bus that will take you from Waikiki to Haleiwa, it's an extra cost. It's a small intimate race, but without accommodations nearby, it is a major challenge to grow this race in the years to come. I didn't think the out and back portions of the course were scenic at all. Maybe I just live here way too long. They do wait for everyone to finish, which is great. It's a small race, but with alot of heart. This is the only other organized road marathon on Oahu, besides the mega one in Honolulu. While they did not have beer tents and the other lavish post race stuff, the boxed lunch of chili and rice hit the spot for majority of the runners, along with water, juice, and gatorade. It was a hot one this year and maybe next year I will try to do it. For sure. Support local! B

Yay for the first ever North Shore Hawaii Marathon! Starting in historic Haleiwa, it winds…read morethrough back roads and takes runners out to Mokuleia where runners fly past scenic waves and beaches to an eventual finish back at Haleiwa.

What a tough marathon, sun on your back, 25 mile per hour wind. It was beautiful to start off, wind…read moreon your back, then cross winds were so strong that I had to run sideways, to not get blown into the ocean. Late start!!! That's not favorable. It was suppose to start at 5am, but the organizers decided to wait for the two late buses, and didn't start until 5:25am. We didn't wake up at 2:30am, take the bus to starting line, just to wait for the people that can't be on time! That sucks!!! More sun because of the late start. People on time shouldn't be punished for late people! That really needs to be changed. 5am start means 5 am start, it doesn't & shouldn't mean 5:01 am start or 5:25 am start!!! Ok, after the rant, I still love it! Love the challenge. Love the volunteers, and love the experience!

We are usually in Maui around the time of the Maui Marathon/Half so 2 years ago (2013) I decided to…read moregive the Half a shot since we stayed next door to the starting line. The full marathon starts in Kahului and ends at Whaler's Village while the Half Marathon starts and ends at the Whaler's Village. The Westin is normally the sponsor of the event so they do have shuttles to bring you to the starting line in Kahului for those doing the full and it is just next door to the starting line for the Half. However, any hotel on Kaanapali Beach from Sheraton to Hyatt is walking distance to the starting point for the Half with Hyatt about a 10-15 min walk. Both the full and the half is usually on Sundays and now starts 1/2 an hour earlier at 5AM. That extra half an hour before the sun comes up makes a huge difference. The day before (Sat), they have the 5K and 10K in the morning and Front Street Mile in the afternoon. There is also an option to do the Warrior Challenge which is full marathon + 10K + front street mile or half marathon + 5K + front street mile. Since medal distributions for Warrior Challenge seems to change, I cannot say for sure what it would be each year so best thing is to check the website. Years ago, you can get up to 4 medals, 1 for each distance of the challenge + a separate warrior challenge medal. Then it was changed that you only got a Warrior Challenge Medal if you complete all 3 but no individuals for 10K/5K + Front Street = 2 medals and this past year I believe they had medals for the 10K/5K +Warrior Challenge Medal, giving you up to 3 medals if you complete the challenge. Route is scenic as a large part of it is along the water with lots of water stations along the way to drink and at times to throw over your head to cool down. Snacks, nuts, and fruits were also available at 1-2 stops as well to help refuel a little bit and the finish line may have chocolate milk, gelato pops, etc. depending on who the sponsors are. First rate Hawaiian entertainment and sometimes masseuses are available at the finish line as well. My advice is arrive at least 1/2 week early to acclimate to the weather as the one thing to beware is the tropical conditions which can vary greatly from what you are use to training in. Expect heat and humidity as a given especially once the sun comes up around 7:30 or earlier and be prepared for the possibility of the lack of tradewinds like during the 2014 race which poses a challenge for even the winners.

They are known for being "the best marathon series". They have a loyal following across the United…read moreStates of America. They are a race organization that puts on races ranging from 5K to 50KM in multiple states, often up to 5 days in a row for those people who want to run in multiple states or just try their luck in attempting to run multiple marathons within a week of each other. Yeah, that's kind of crazy, ain't it? I first found out about Mainly Marathons about 3 years ago when a bunch of friends were doing their race series on the mainland. I for one thought that 5 marathons in 5 consecutive days would be crazy and insane at the same time. To each their own though. I decided to check things out by flying out to Las Cruces, NM in October 2016 to run their Day of Dead series (just one day). I found out later that they were coming to Hawaii in January 2017 to do a 4 day race series on the Island of Kauai. I thought that was intriguing. The only thing I would think about is the fact that these are small races, which can fetch up to 300 people at a time, for all distances. They are not the large mega races that you would find in the Rock n Roll Marathon race series, but they do well enough to attract the most ambitious, the most goal oriented, and the most crazy bunch of people you'd ever met. Yes, I am one of them, but I have yet to go beyond back to back days though. That's a review for another day. For the most part, I do enjoy the fact that I love what they provide: a niche for those of us crazy people who enjoy the running thing and racing as much as the next person. It's not for everyone though. The main sticking point is the fact that they do multiple loops. Depending on how much of a course they do get to work with, you are often collecting loop after loop until the desired distance you registered yourself for. The inaugural Mainly Marathon series on Kauai is dubbed the "Aloha series" debuted in January 2017. It was set from Thursday to Sunday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. So, for those who wish for extra mileage can fly to Maui first, run the Maui Ocean Front Marathon, half marathon, 15KM, 10KM, or 5km, stay a few days and fly over to Kauai to run this inaugural series. Yes, you may think it's a crazy life to live, but its one of those things, where it's a pretty cool thing. The big appeal to this series and the other race series for the Mainly Marathon series is that there is no time limit for the marathon. They do impose a time limit for the 50km at 8 1/2 hours, but the marathon is no time limit. Pretty cool, huh? For the most part, I decided to do this series to bump my lifetime marathon/ultra stats up to make it to triple digits (100) by September 2019, or my 40th birth day. So far so good though. The inaugural Mainly Marathon series was held at 2 places on the Kauai's east side. The Kapaa Beach Park, where there is the bike path we can run multiple loops, and the Smith's Family Luau, where we ran the perimeter for fun. Both events, at least for the ones I participated in started at 4:30am and they had packet pick up, if you arrived early. There is no fan fare or bands along the course. It's just people who want to run long and for a particular distance at a destination. Perfect for those hardcore marathoners who want to check off an endurance goal or just to check off a new state for their 50 states marathon or half marathon goal. Yes, I am one of those people too. It is nice to have the Mainly Marathon series establish a race series here in Hawaii on Kauai. I wish them much success as they grow this series on Kauai for future events on the Garden Isle. I believe the marathon on the Kauai Beach Park was 12 loops of 2.x miles long and the one in the Smith's Family Luau was 1.50 miles long and we needed to complete 16 loops. Loops are a mental strain, not to mention running around in circles. Lol I had fun meeting old friends and making new friends on day one. I managed to knock off my first marathon of the year (2017), but also got my 2nd half marathon of the year too. Back to back days of running long distances are tough tough, but it gets harder when you are running multiple loops and seeing the same things over and over. I prefer point to point courses. It was still great to check the Mainly Marathon series out on Kauai and see how things are. The cool thing about the aid station is that they actually serve real food - coookies, chips, and other assortment of food, as well as soda pop too. That's probably why many people rate them as "the best". I enjoyed my time here and got what I came here for. 4.0 stars. It was cool. Run more! Support local! B+

Pros: 1. Course had mile markers and six passes at aid…read morestations that had water and Gatorade 2. Orange cones throughout course but only one to distinguish between the three distances 3. One stretch along diamond head that showed the beach, one inland 4. Aid station volunteers were helpful 5. Times race with early enough time before it got hot and humid (5:30 start) for half 6. Plenty of police to guide the route and stop cars and even an escort at the head 7. A tiny metal turtle luck charm 8. Orange slices and pocari sweat at the finish 9. Big cheers at the sprint finish! Cons: 1. Mostly through residential streets so not much to see in terms of scenery. Quite a boring course. A trail half here would be awesome. 3. No snacks at aid stations 4. Quiet race. No music at the start at the park and minimal support throughout race but quite zen so it's fine 5. Thin race shirt worse quality than 3 dollar swap meet. Just super thin cotton with white print. No thought into design. 6. Basic print medal usually reserved for low end races that cost 35 bucks in Cali. The medals looking at from 10 years ago looked best with an actual flower shape and well designed. It'd have been much better to do one thing well, like a good medal, than to do many of the other things poorly, crap shirt, crap medal, crap stations, crap mc. 7. There really wasn't an expo as only one local run shop showed up, the run lab and some old swag from previous races for sale. I'd much prefer a trail race through the mountains inland with views at the top. This one needed a much better course. This one had 400 feet of vert but a really flat vibe

This run course is nice bc it's Hawaii. The event is very unprofessional. Their site states that…read morefamily/friends can track the runners but there was no such tracking device on the runners and nobody knew until I asked around. Event lady stopped the music to find out if aid station workers showed up. As finishers arrived, nobody knew if they were 5mi, 15k or half marathon finishers. We were all confused. Maybe they should have different bib colors? Or even some commentating? The lady had no music, barely said anything to acknowledge the finishers and after finishers, the park was underwhelming. People got Gatorade or water and then went home. It was so silent, no music or much going on.. Also, that event lady said very little for like 40 min and then emphasized that only racers eat the snacks and throw your trash in the trash cans. That was it. I think she's raking in the money at over 100 dollars per racer at about 1,000 running it, it's a racket. Unorganized and yellow shirts about being mean and now I know why. She does three of these events. You'd think by now she would have it dialed in.