WAIKOLOA — Hit the rewind button to 1994 and the world was quite a different place.
Gas averaged just a shade over $1 nationally, Amazon was just getting its start on the Internet as the “Earth’s biggest bookstore,” Bill Clinton was the president and the Dallas Cowboys were Super Bowl champs.
Locally, in quiet Kona town nearly a quarter century ago, Jon Kunitake and Jim Lovell were making some noise of their own, founding the Kona Marathon in an effort to revitalize running on the west side of the Big Island.
On the eve of the 25th edition of the now storied event, it’s safe to say that mission has been accomplished, although like the world around it, the race is nearly unrecognizable from its debut.
Under the guidance of race director/owner Sharron Faff — who purchased the race in 2009 — the event moved to Waikoloa Beach Resort from its previous location in downtown Kona and along Alii Drive in 2015. Faff is expecting around 1,800 athletes to toe the line today for the marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and 5K.
The first Kona Marathon results listed in West Hawaii Today in 1994 featured 244 people between the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K fields, including a single entrant in the 5K rollerblade division.
Times have changed, and a quarter-century later, runners from all over the globe congregate annually on the Big Island to, “Run the Rock.”
“Just watching the growth has been incredible,” Faff said. “It’s a lot of hard work during the year, but when you see all those faces at the start line early in the morning, it’s all worth it. Then at the finish line, it’s a celebration for the herculean effort the athletes put forward. It’s really so impressive.”
One of the biggest factors in the growth, Faff says, is simple — location, location, location, because not all 26.2-mile routes are created equal.
“People want to race in Hawaii,” Faff said. “Word of mouth and the runner’s experience is everything. Without that, you are dead in the water. We have been very fortunate.”
Kunitake is set to take on the course again today with his patented smile and Bib No. 1. But even he couldn’t have imagined the level to which the event has grown over the years.
“I can’t believe how long it’s lasted,” Kunitake said in a previous interview with West Hawaii Today. “I could have never have expected anything like this, with people coming from all over.”
Here are some other tidbits about the race as its turns 25.
Leaders of the pack
When the course moved in 2015, the record book was reset. However, Eddy Hellebuyck’s time of 2:23:31 in 2001 will not soon be forgotten.
Hellebuyck was an Olympian who competed internationally for his native Belgium and then the United States after becoming a citizen in 1999. He participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta before starting his Kona Marathon run, winning every race from 1997-2003.
It should be noted, however, that Hellebuyck tested positive for the blood booster EPO in 2004. He maintained his innocence until 2010, when he confessed in an interview.
Repeat champions have been a trend at the Kona Marathon. Jeannie Wokasch — who is an ambassador at the race and can usually be found doing cartwheels around the finish line — notched eight marathon titles.
Indiana athlete Justin Gillette was rumored to be coming back to Kona this year, but isn’t on the start list. He is currently in search of his 100th overall marathon win, which would put him in rarefied air. Five of those came at the Kona Marathon.
Well-known West Hawaii Today columnist Rani Henderson has 10 total wins at the Kona Marathon, nine in the half marathon and the 2007 marathon title.
Former Kona professional triathlete Bree Wee has won the half-marathon seven times and is the defending female marathon champ. Her win ended a three-year reign of Honolulu’s Yuko Nakai, who was the top female from 2014-2016.
Arizona’s Joshua Espinoza holds the course record in Waikoloa and he didn’t leave anything in the tank. In 2016, after clocking a time of 2:46:48 in his first-ever marathon, Espinoza collapsed and was taken via ambulance to the hospital.
There’s a chance that time could fall this year, with last year’s second place finisher Patrick Stover and speedy Volcano resident Billy Barnett expected to be battling at the front of the pack.
Last year’s winner, Kentaro Masuda, is not expected to be in the field.
Wee is also slated to be on the start line among the women. And after a year that has included the 100-mile trail race “HURT 100,” there’s a good chance she could improve on her Waikoloa women’s record of 3:08:00, set last year.
Connecting
both sides
One of Faff’s most valuable assistants on race weekend is Bob Wedeman, and he brings with him some precious experience.
Wedeman has been the race director for the Big Island International Marathon in Hilo since 2012, a post that was once held by Faff.
The duo share the rank of race director , which is a prestigious title around the course. But at times, the responsibilities can be headache-inducing, dealing with everything from parking validations to t-shirt designs.
Being able to share the burden with someone who knows the duties has been a relief for both parties.
“Whether it’s looking at medals, signage or how to deal with problems on race day, you have someone to talk to about it, which is very important,” Wedeman said. “She has brought up things that I’ve never even thought of, and in the end, it has helped us make both races better.”
When asked for what she’s learned from teaming up with Wedeman, Faff kept it short.
“Lots,” she said with a laugh. “This race has become so big, I need somebody with similar expertise to bounce ideas off of.”
The partnership has also spawned the Hawaii Half Marathon Triple Crown Series. It includes the half marathon events in both Hilo and Kona, as well as the Volcano Half, also run by Faff.
Both race directors gave major kudos to the scores volunteers, who help facilitate everything from race registration, to aid stations, awards and much more.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” Faff said.
By the numbers
•48: States represented at the race
• 2: Runners from the 50 States Marathon Club who will be completing their 50 state journey. Three others will be completing a half marathon in their 50th state.
• 52: Marathons run by Kona Marathon ambassador and “Marathon Goddess” Julie Weiss in 52 weeks in 2013 to raise money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer. Over 150 people will be running today to raise money to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.
• 5: Athletes who will be celebrating their birthday on race day