A new virtual race series highlighting a theme based on the Legends of Hawaii continues to gain momentum as registration opens for a second event on April 30 — The Legend of Pele and Poliahu Virtual 5K, 10K.
Organized by Aloha Sports Kona and in partnership with Bike Works Kona, Bike Works Beach &Sports and Kona Sports Center, the virtual series began in February with a 3.1-mile run/walk, The Legend of Naupauka Virtual 5K.
Each consecutive event will continue to progress and build in distance while offering varying prize incentives along the way, all in preparation for the grand finale — the live (in-person) 10-Mile Hapuna Beach Trail Run event slated for November.
“We had what we thought was a good showing,” Janet-Higa Miller said of the Naupauka Virtual 5K. “This is a series and our intention is to build. So, the first virtual event was a 5K, and this one will be a 10K, but you can also do a 5K for those who choose not to increment up in their training.”
The second event in the series of four is based on the Hawaiian legend of known rivals, Pele and Poliahu, a tale of fire and ice.
Pele, the goddess of fire who resides in Kilauea, and Poliahu, the goddess of snow atop Mauna Kea, had a holua race at what is now known as Laupahoehoe on the island of Hawaii.
One day, in disguise of a beautiful maiden, Pele challenged Poliahu to a holua race —— a sport where one uses a narrow piece of wood to slide down slopes at extreme speeds. Poliahu, a competitive athlete herself, was never one to say no especially to a challenge in her favorite sport nonetheless.
They both rushed down the track, each taking turns pulling ahead of the other in a fierce battle. As the race grew more intense, the ground below the holua track began to heat up and it was only then that Poliahu realized it was no stranger she was racing, but instead her long-time nemesis, Pele.
Pele, enthralled with anger dropped her disguise and summoned her forces. Poliahu raced to her home atop the mountains peak protecting it against Pele’s lava. With each lava fountain Pele beckoned on Mauna Kea, Poliahu fought back with her snow, resulting in her win of this battle. Till this day, Mauna Kea continues to be the home of Poliahu free of any eruptions from Pele, who continues to reside in Kilauea.
While one of the main prize incentives for completing all four virtual events in the series is a free entry to the in-person 10-Mile Hapuna Beach Trail Run, there are other motivational rewards for completing each event.
Higa-Miller said participants who complete The Legend of Pele and Poliahu Virtual 5K, 10K will be able to choose between a limited-edition race towel or a Bike Works Kona gift certificate, and be included into the weekly random prize drawing if they register early. They will also be guaranteed a slot to the in-person 10-Mile Hapuna Beach Trail Run.
Similar to the first virtual event, participants will be given 4 weeks, from April 30 through May 30, to complete the 5K or 10K at a destination of their own choosing, then posting a picture to Aloha Sports Kona on Facebook or Instagram.
However, if you missed the first event, there is no need to fret.
“For anyone who missed the first race, we are offering an incentive,” Higa-Miller said. “You can still accrue incentives to get into our live 10-miler to be held in November. So, if you missed the first race but are doing the second race, then you can get a $10 virtual coupon to apply to your race entry for our live 10-Miler. That would also assure that you have a slot in the race. Due to COVID we anticipate it will be a limited field and so we are reserving entries for all the people who participate in the series whether they do one race, or whether they do all four.”
Higa-Miller added they are excited and moving toward their live Hapuna Beach 10-Mile Trail Run in November, which will be held on the previous Xterra Hawaii Island bike course, with “cautious optimism” due to the ever-changing situation with COVID-19.
“Because there is no clarity when it comes to the COVID pandemic, we are obtaining a provisional permit to hold a live 10-Mile race at Hapuna,” she said. “So, we are going through that process and we will have a permit but it will depend on the condition of the pandemic when it gets closer to the race.”
Registration begins on April 30 for The Legend of Pele and Poliahu Virtual 5K, 10K on the event website: alohasportskona.com. For more information about the event email info@alohasportskona.com.
Summer Mountain Bike Clinic
Higa-Miller shared some exciting news regarding plans to offer a Summer Mountain Bike Clinic to all ages and fitness levels.
“During COVID there were many beginners who started to ride their bike off-road,” she said. “The trails here on Hawaii Island are pretty technical, so Grant Miller and Grant Matsushige have teamed up to hold a beginner’s clinic for mountain biking.”
The half-day clinic will focus on practicing bike handling skills and drills over off-road and technical terrain. If all goes to plan, there will be a clinic once per quarter with the first happening this summer followed by another during the fall. COVID-19 safety guidelines and social distancing protocols will be followed at all times.
“It will be in groups of ten or less, social distanced and what they are going to do is drills on an obstacle course,” Higa-Miller said. “People can stay tuned and watch for details for a summer and fall mountain biking clinic. And if you are under 16-years then you need to bring a parent.
“A lot of the mountain biking here on Hawaii Island is technical so you want to have some skills. These are for people who wouldn’t venture out on some of the trails that are open to mountain biking because they feel they don’t have the skills.”