PU‘UWA‘AWA‘A — Over 250 runners took to the scenic trails of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve on Saturday, October 19th, for the 17th annual Run for the Dry Forest. Participants chose among the 10K or 5K trail running events, or the family-friendly Keiki Dash, with each course showcasing the natural beauty and unique landscape known of this historic area.
“We have 290 registered runners compared to last year, we had 320 registered,” said race director, Edith Adkins, who is employed with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit through the University of Hawaii in collaboration with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “I think people who come out for this love the place and the space, it’s special to them, and they love the cause.”
The Run for the Dry Forest was first organized in 2005 with a mission to raise public awareness about the significance of the Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a region and its fragile environment. Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a lies on the northern flank of Hualalai’s dormant volcano, extending from sea level at Kiholo Bay up to a mile in elevation near the volcano’s summit.
The higher Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a region features an exotic native dryland forest, home to endangered bird and plant species and its most prominent landmark — an ancient volcanic cinder cone — shaped like an upside down grassy Jello mold visible to those who travel the upper road of Mamaloahoa Highway from Kona to Waimea. This unique natural landmark of Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a boasts being the oldest surface feature on all Hualalai, and is said to have formed from an explosive burst of lava over 100,000 years ago.
Each year, the race highlights the region’s unique flora and fauna to inspire participants to become active stewards of the land to support the long-term health and beauty of Hawaii’s dry forests. This year’s featured endangered plant species was the Zanthoxylum hawaiiense, more commonly known as A‘e or Hawaii pricklyash — a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae that is endemic to Hawaii.
“People have a love for the Dry Forest, the Pu‘u is a very significant landmark for the people of Kona in general,” Adkins said. “People also love to support the Dry Forest restoration. This year we have the A’e. We like to showcase a different endangered species each year. It’s also a species that people are unlikely to see on a regular basis and it brings awareness.”
In the 10K trail event, competitors began their trek at the Meeting House and a lap around the reservoir before heading up a steep, winding trail with loose rocky footing and an elevation gain of 1,200 feet during the first three miles before a wicked descent.
Seventeen-year old Leighton Aves of Honokaa made it look easy as he was the first to cross the finish line in a fantastic time of 42 minutes and 58 seconds. Kailua-Kona’s William Hubert was next with his time of 43:44, and Hilo’s Noah Hunt followed in third place at 43:59.
“That first 5K was gnarly, that was a grinder,” laughed Aves, who recently moved to Honokaa from South Dakota. “I just told myself to get through it so I can make it to the downhill. I knew it was going to be hard. When I saw what the elevation change was, I knew it was going to be a burner. I was in the front pack at the start and then I made a wrong turn. Then after catching up, I took the lead. It’s a pretty cool event. I like the course, the scenery, the cause it’s for, I think it’s a really fun event.”
Casey McGrath of Honomu won the women’s crown with her time of 52:09. Volcano’s Darby Doyle hung onto second place with her time of 53:23, and Holualoa’s Laura Ankrum rounded out the podium in 54:24.
“I’m a data scientist for the Pacific Northwest National Labs so I do the fire and hurricane work for the Hawaiian Islands,” said 29-year old McGrath. “I’ve never done a trail run here and I’m just getting back into racing after running in college. I ran for the University of New Hampshire. I ran cross, indoor and track. The 5K is my favorite distance. So, this is kind of my biggest event I’ve done so far.”
In the shorter 5K trail race, 17-year old Kealakehe High School cross country standout, Archer Ankrum, zipped through the finish line in 19:04. Kamuela’s Micah McDowell followed a few strides back to take second place in 19:12, while Ankrum’s dad, Adam, finished in third at 22:32.
For the women, the top three finishing times were separated by a mere six-seconds. Kailua-Kona’s Amanda Platter sprinted across the finish line in first at 24:51, with Keauhou’s Rani Henderson and Hilo’s Nanea Babila just on her heels with their times of 24:54 and 24:57 respectively.
For Platter, competing in local community racing events is about having fun and spending quality time with her family — children Eileen (9th grade) and Ethan (7th grade), and hubby Dustin.
“It’s important because we are growing up together and these races make sure that we are spending quality time together,” Platter said while taking photos with her kids. “I’m grateful to have these community events because they remind us of what’s important to think of, and it’s more than just thinking about ourselves. It helps us to stay healthy together, it gives my family a focus.”
Ethan added, “But at the end of the day, it’s all about our family competition. We make bets, and it’s important to have a competition. One of us earns a lot of money when we win.” (pointing to himself)
Eileen shared, “Throughout the week we are all busy so coming to these events helps us to be one as a family.”
Platter smiled and said her family will be gearing up for the next showdown.
“Ethan’s won the last four races. I’m really hoping that he will be defeated at the Pure Kona Coffee 5K November 9th race!”