Running with Rani: Jingle Bell Beach Run makes history

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say,

On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day,

That’s the island greeting that

we send to you

From the land where palm trees sway,

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright,

The sun to shine by day and all

the stars at night,

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way

To say “Merry Christmas to you.”

No doubt the famous holiday tune sung by Bing Crosby has been playing in my head for weeks, and here in Kona where we are fortunate to embrace the warm sunshine, blue waters of Kailua Bay and green palm trees around every corner, I can’t think of a better place to celebrate Christmas.

While many ventured out on Sunday in search of finding the perfect gift for a loved one or stayed at home to put the final touches on their Christmas tree, a record setting 837 participants turned out for the 11th Annual Jingle Bell Beach Run which included races at 5k and 1-mile distances.

It was by far the largest turnout for an event that began in 2005 with just 48 runners, and according to Jim Lovell, who has been timing running events around the island for the last three decades, Sunday’s 5K footrace made history.

“To my knowledge and to the best of my memory, Sunday’s Jingle Bell Beach Run 5K race was the largest in the Big Island’s history,” Lovell said.

To say that I felt proud to have this event evolve from its humble beginnings of hand made awards and a forty-dollar race budget would be an understatement. I was ecstatic and it completely blew me away seeing the masses of our Big Island community gather for what has become the annual Christmas party on Ali’i Drive.

Amidst the record-setting field of participants arose some fast times culminating in a new 5k record set by Kapaau’s Jared Burris – a newcomer to the island from Indiana. Burris earned himself a well-deserved $100 check for his blazing time of 16 minutes and 4 seconds – a whopping 5:10 pace per mile.

And as you may well know, the Jingle Bell Beach Run wouldn’t be where it is today without our amazing community sponsors and an army of volunteers who generously offered their time and support to help make this event shine from pre-race registration to post race awards ceremony. Mahalo to you all.

Journey-2-LaLa Land

Also on Sunday, 15 energetic souls gathered at the bottom of Lako Street and Kuakini Hwy for Team Mango’s 23rd annual Journey-2-LaLa Land cycling and running event.

The 17-mile uphill challenge was the final event on Team Mango’s race calendar hosted by event organizer, Carl Koomoa.

Gage Allen was the first cyclist to cross the finish line at the top of Kaloko Drive with a time of 1:44:35. A distant second was Louis Draper in 1:56:08, with Harry “The Hammer” Yoshida in third at 2:00:40.

The women’s race once again witnessed Kailua-Kona’s Kym Kiser, who has dominated nearly every cycling event on the island, finish first with her time of 2:15:13.

Kiser and her husband Kris, who are expecting a baby girl next May, were also awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award at the Jingle Bell Beach Run’s post race ceremony. This award goes to individuals who dedicate their time and energy toward volunteering or organizing free and fun events for our Big Island community. The Kiser’s Dragon (cycling event) and last month’s 8th annual Triptophan Turkey Day Triathlon put them at the top of a long list of the many deserving.

Following Kiser was Jennifer Real at 2:22:44, with Lori Montgomery rounding out the women’s top five at 3:16:29.

Winning the run division was Kailua-Kona’s John Howerton with a time of 3:22:20. Howerton recently completed last month’s Ultraman World Championships – a grueling three-day triathlon circling the Big Island. Orestes “Chico” Barrios (4:09:10) was the only other runner who finished.

This past weekend’s events certainly offered everyone a healthy excuse to embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate the day with family and friends wearing their best red and green.

To all on the Big Island – Mele Kalikimaka!