Yes, Kona’s acclaimed and much anticipated holiday themed 5K run and walk along Alii Drive is here.
Hundreds dressed in their favorite red and green holiday attire, festive Christmas costumes with shiny bells tied to their shoelaces, parading through historic Kailua Village for the popular Jingle Bell Beach Run.
And over the past 12 years, the Jingle Bell Beach Run has built upon its reputation as Hawaii Island’s premier 5K. This year will be no different as it’s shaping up to be better than ever.
On Sunday, Hawaii Sport Events will present the 13th edition of the fun, family-oriented 5K event and Santa’s Keiki Dash set to start and finish at the beautiful Coconut Grove Marketplace.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that it has truly grown into the must-do holiday event for so many people,” said Kona’s Penn Henderson, co-race organizer of the event. “While a lot of work goes into making it unique and special, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish such a first-class event without the tremendous help and support provided by our generous sponsors, volunteers and participants. Much of the credit goes to them.”
This year, race organizers have decided not to offer the 1-mile event that has been present since 2006.
“The 5K has always been the featured event most everyone comes out for,” Henderson said. “Several logistical challenges associated with the 1-mile event, as well as a decrease in participation swayed our decision to solely focus on the 5K and Santa’s Keiki Dash for this year. But that doesn’t mean we won’t try bringing it back in the future.”
The crowd pleasing, fun and competitive costume contest will showcase the most elaborate and creative holiday ensembles with awards given out to the top three. And once again, this year’s sponsors will be providing amazing prizes for what has become an epic post-race raffle — hotel overnight stays, snorkel cruises, dining certificates, holiday gift cards and so much more.
The Christmas themed 3.1-mile run/walk will start roadside in front of Coconut Grove Marketplace and head north toward the Kailua Pier, taking in views of Kailua Bay and the Historic Kailua Village. Participants will then make their first U-turn just before the Kailua Pier, and then proceed south toward the Sea Village before heading back to the finish line at Coconut Grove Marketplace.
While many will be enjoying the lush scenery and renowned coastal vistas of the 5K course, a few will focus their efforts toward the competitive race for first.
For the elite field of runners wishing to test themselves against the clock, race organizers will once again dangle a $100 prize to the top male or female that can set new race records.
Current race records belong to former Kapaau resident, Jared Burris, and Canada’s Bridget Pyke. Burris set the men’s record in 2015 in a blistering time of 16 minutes and 4 seconds. While Pyke, a three-time women’s champion (2013, 2014, 2016), set the women’s race record in 2013 with her time of 17:41.
On Sunday, a few of our state’s top elite runners will be toeing the line.
Matt Daniels, who recently shattered PATH’s 29-year-old 10K race record set by 1994 Ironman World Champion, Greg Welch, is the favorite. Daniels is currently on the Team USA Mountain running team and had also qualified to run in the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials.
Others to watch and who may surprise are teen speedsters, Alec Ankrum and Cody Ranfranz.
In the women’s division, Kona’s Bree Wee, who has become one of the most versatile female runners in the State, will be back for her sixth attempt at the Jingle Bell Beach Run women’s title. Wee, who has been runner-up on five previous tries is also fresh from an impressive 2:59:18 Honolulu Marathon finish just five days ago.
Both the men’s and women’s defending champions, Pahoa’s Billy Barnett and Canada’s Pyke, have yet to sign up.
This year’s charity recipients will be awarded to the Kiwanis Club of Kailua-Kona, a locally based non-profit organization that is involved with many youth programs and meaningful community activities. Some of their projects include providing basic supplies and toys for children in the hospital and those involved with the West Hawaii Children’s Justice System (Kids Matter); help with homeless and transitional children of the Ulu Wini transitional housing complex; and work with PATH Hawaii’s bike safety program for children at Kealakehe Elementary School to name a few. Donations are still being accepted.
So come and join the excitement at Coconut Grove Marketplace on Sunday as all of the holiday fun begins at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Online registration is still available through today until 3 p.m.
Late registration, bib number and timing chip pick up is happening on Saturday at Coconut Grove Marketplace from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. There will be no race day registration for the 5K. The Santa’s Keiki Dash is free for children aged 6 years and Under and will feature a 100-yard and 200-yard races beginning at 8:30 a.m.
For more information visit www.kona5k.com.