Jason and Melissa Braswell love to run and they love to do it in a big way. Nearly five years after the duo first opened the doors to their Big Island Running Co. store in the Coconut Grove Marketplace on
Jason and Melissa Braswell love to run and they love to do it in a big way. Nearly five years after the duo first opened the doors to their Big Island Running Co. store in the Coconut Grove Marketplace on Alii Drive, running enthusiasts have much to be excited about as today, the Braswells celebrate the grand opening of their third running store — on Hilo Bay Front.
“We always wanted to have a store in Hilo,” Jason said. “In fact, we almost opened the first store in Hilo instead of taking over the Coconut Grove store. I am surprised that it took us five years to get one opened, but we wanted to make sure that we were growing at a sustainable pace.”
With the opening of their Alii Drive store in September 2009, their brightly colored “Run Big” apparel hit West Hawaii by storm. Like the speed of a tornado, runners were swept up into a new dizzying addiction — from near and far, young to old, elite athlete to couch potato — having a Run Big singlet, T-shirt or anything with the popular logo became a must-have on everyone’s wish list. And it quickly went global.
“We’ve had people submit pictures of them wearing their Run Big shirts all over the U.S. and the world,” Melissa said. “Some of the farthest and most memorable ones are New Zealand, Italy, Denmark and Greece.”
The simplicity of the words “Run Big” has inspired such a profound and wholehearted meaning for so many — often igniting new passions or reviving old flames for the sport — that it literally transformed and uplifted the Big Island’s running scene.
“Believe it or not, I sketched the Run Big logo out on an airplane napkin on our way back to Chicago from a trip to Kona to look at the business,” Jason said. “I liked it, but I had no idea that so many people would feel the same. To say that it has been popular beyond my wildest expectations would be an understatement. I think it really goes to show the strong emotional attachment that so many people have to both the Big Island and running.”
The Braswells said that owning Big Island Running Co. is different from their previous occupations. Both started out as lawyers for six years at big firms in Chicago and had been looking for something more entrepreneurial.
“We loved Hawaii and we loved running,” Jason said. “When we saw Big Island Running Co. for sale, we knew that was it. Melissa emailed me the online listing for the business, and I think my email reply to her was: Buy it.”
At that time, the former Big Island Running Co. was struggling to stay afloat. The shop had dwindled to a minimum with inventory and staff. What it needed were motivated individuals to give it a little TLC, and the Braswells — with their passion for running, adventurous spirit, and savvy business sense — became the perfect fit.
Both are competitive runners on the local scene with Jason dabbling in a few triathlons over the last two years. In addition, the Braswells have completely immersed themselves in the community volunteering their time at Peaman, Team Mango, Queen K Tri Club events, and at numerous running and triathlon races. The duo also hosts the annual Wobble Gobble Thanksgiving runs and organizes year-round free and fun running groups from their Alii Drive store.
If that’s not keeping them busy enough, Jason coaches his sister, Erica, who recently qualified for the Olympic marathon trials and is also the run course director for the Ironman World Championship. Meanwhile, Melissa enjoys yoga, golf, cooking and reading during what little spare time she has and serves as the run course director for Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.
What does the future hold for Big Island Running Co.?
“Hopefully, more of the same,” Jason said. “We really want to keep building our running groups, especially the beginner-oriented programs, and be a positive addition to the community by supporting people in their pursuit of a more active, healthier lifestyle. We also want to continue to support grassroots type events like Peaman’s races, where anyone is welcome and can come out and have a good time regardless of their level of fitness or competitiveness.”
And now, with Hilo’s first specialty running store, the Braswells imagine they will be just a bit busier — or maybe a whole lot busier as come January, Jason and Melissa are expecting their first child.
“It doesn’t feel totally real just yet,” said the father-to-be. “Melissa is not sick and not showing yet. But I’m pretty excited for sure.”
