With COVID-19 continuing to have lasting effects on the return to in-person local events, race organizers of the annual Hearts &Trails all-women 5K, 10K, and 10-Mile trail runs have decided to create a new virtual race series of four events highlighting a theme based on Legends of Hawaii.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19, we have canceled the 2021 Hearts &Trail Runs originally scheduled for February,” Janet-Higa Miller wrote in an email. “Instead of simply converting this event to its virtual version, we decided to create a co-ed virtual run series for which anyone who finishes the series would receive VIP entry to our first live trail run event — whenever it is COVID-19 safe for us to put one on. The theme of our virtual series is Legends of Hawaii, and each event will highlight a story sharing the folklore of Hawaii.”
Stories of star-crossed lovers have long been told for generations. From the Greek mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice, to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to Hawaii’s legendary love story of Naupaka and Kaui.
With February symbolizing the month of love, Higa-Miller felt it was the perfect opportunity to kick off the new virtual trail series by presenting one version of the Hawaiian love story on the event flyer.
Naupaka, a beautiful princess, and Kaui, a common fisherman, were in love but knew they could never marry. In a time where royalty could not marry commoner, they sought the permission of kupuna (elders), kahuna (priests), and akua (gods), to no success.
With all forces telling them no, they decided that Naupaka would return to her people in the mountains and Kaui would stay near the sea, never to see one another again. Before the two lovers separated, Naupaka grabbed the flower from her hair and tore it in half, giving one half to Kaui.
Till this day, the Naupaka flower grows in the mountains and by the sea. Both flowers blooming only half, symbolizing the everlasting love of Naupaka and Kaui.
Registration for the Legend of Naupaka Virtual 5K Run opens today on active.com. Higa-Miller said included in the registration fee will be an event shirt depicting the story of Naupaka and Kaui, and participants will also have the option of choosing among a selection of race gifts in lieu of the event shirt.
Those who register early will be included in the weekly drawing for a free swag bag with generous products from different local businesses each week.
“We want the virtual series run distance to be progressive,” Higa-Miller said. “So, the Legend of Naupaka will be based on a 5K, the next one based on a 10K, and the next one an 8-Miler so that anyone can go from couch to our series in preparation for our live event. The live event will be based on a 10-miler co-ed trail run and we will have shorter distances also. Depending on how long it takes for us to able to put on a live event with permits under COVID-19 safety protocols, we will continue to add virtual events with longer distances.”
Higa-Miller added that Makani Golf Couse, the host venue over the last two years, is committed to the Hearts &Trails Runs and has agreed to a future race when pandemic restrictions are lifted. While Aloha Sports Kona is organizing the virtual series, event partners also include Bike Works Kona, Bike Works Beach &Sports and Kona Sports Center.
When asked if there will be a designated trail course for participants to complete the virtual series Higa-Miller said, “Anyone can run anywhere, anytime, by any COVID-19 safe methods. They will need to do at least a 5K, Facebook their result, and include our hashtag. It does not have to be a trail run. This series will take place over a number of months (February through September) until our live trail run event happens.
“Participants will be given four weeks to complete the virtual distance. The distance for the series will get progressively longer (5K, 10K, 8-miler, etc.) so we wanted to give ample time if when registration opens the participant is not trained for the distance. So, we are thinking four weeks would allow enough time to train.”
Registration begins today on active.com at: https://www.active.com/running/distance-running-virtual-events/legend-of-naupaka-virtual-5k-2021.
For more information about the new trail run series visit alohasportskona.com.