KAILUA-KONA — The holiday cheer arrived a few days early on Alii Drive as hundreds of Christmas-clad runners took to the streets for the 15th annual Jingle Bell Beach Run.
Santa and his fleet of elves were in town for the scenic 5K, as well as runners disguised as speedy reindeer. A posse of Christmas lights stole the show among hordes of jingling joggers and there was no shortage of holiday spirit at the event that welcomed a record 988 participants.
The 3.1-mile run/walk started and finished in front of Coconut Grove Marketplace. It took participants north toward the Kailua Pier, where they took in views of Kailua Bay and historic Kailua Village. Participants then made 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. There was also a short 1-mile race.
Canadian runner Bridget Pyke cemented her status as the Queen of Christmas, capturing her fourth title at the event with a new course record of 17 minutes and 27 seconds. She previously won in 2016, ‘14 and ‘13, setting what was the previous female mark of 17:41 on her first championship trot.
History was made on the men’s side as well, with Calgary’s Matthew Travaglini —Pyke’s boyfriend — setting a new bar with his scorching time of 14:40.
Rounding out the top three on the male side were Jay Welp (15:37) and Mika Eggink (16:21).
Corcoran Downey (18:54) and Bree Brown (19:21) — a four-time former champion at the Jingle Bell Beach Run — rounded out the women’s podium.
Travaglini and Pyke scored extra holiday spending cash, taking home $200 each for setting the new course record. This year was the first time the event offered a prize for the feat.
In the 1-mile race, Holualoa’s Rosalisha Barrett took home the title with a time of 7:14.
There were 32 states and seven countries represented in the races, with ages ranging from 3 years old to 91.