KAILUA-KONA — After a one-year hiatus, the 100 Percent Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon returned to Alii Drive on Saturday with a strong showing of nearly 150 runners.
With a new race director in Hilo’s Keely McGhee, registration for the event got off to a slow start but really surged late in the week.
“We were really excited about the turnout,” said McGhee, a first-time race director. “I hope I get the opportunity to do this again. I have definitely learned a lot and I hope my growth will help propel this event to be even better next year.”
Runners approached the starting line around sunrise on Sunday morning. The 13.1-mile trek started and ended in front of the Coconut Grove Marketplace volleyball court. The race took the runners north, with the turnaround point at “The Pit,” also known as End of the World.
Despite having to work late the day before, and only getting a little less than five hours of sleep, Kona resident Patrick Stover blew away the field to place first overall.
“I did better than I thought I would,” Stover said. “I ran this race two years ago and knew where the hard parts were and I was able to prepare myself. I just kept telling myself it is going to hurt, but I just have to get through it. The body can catch up.”
Stover managed to win with a personal best time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 40 seconds.
“I love this event,” Stover said. “Being from Kona, I was bummed when the Kona Marathon moved to Waikoloa. There are a lot of 5Ks and 10Ks around here, but I usually only run half marathons or more. It is nice to have a longer race back here.”
Bree Wee, who is training for the HURT 100, a 100-mile trail run that takes place on Oahu in January, won the women’s division with a time of 1:26:33
The Kona Coffee Half Marathon wrapped up the week-long Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.
“The festival is an integral part of the community and I am happy that this race can be apart of it,” McGhee said. “It is also amazing to have a chance to run on Alii drive.”