Big Island Running Company’s annual tradition of hosting an early morning calorie-burning activity before indulging on a Thanksgiving feast later in the day continued with their 18th annual Wobble Gobble fun runs.
The Wobble Gobble has been a traditional start to Thanksgiving Day for many Big Island residents with Thursday’s free event attracting 120 runners to the Walua Road trailhead to compete in three separate races — a 1-mile sprint, 3.5-mile run, and a 6.4-mile hilly course.
“We are so happy to be back in-person at the Wobble Gobble,” said Melissa Braswell, who organizes the event with her husband and daughter, Jason and Emily Braswell, and also the co-owner of Big Island Running Company. “This will be our first race back in-person since 2019. We missed seeing everyone out on Thanksgiving morning and we’re glad it’s a chance for everyone to get together, do a healthy activity before they go spend time with their families and eat lots of food.”
While organizing a well-run event can be daunting even for the most experienced race directors, Braswell said the added challenge this year was also figuring out what’s changed and how people felt with respect to being back in-person.
“We are trying to make sure that it’s a fun event and that people are safe,” she said. “We have prepacked foods instead of open containers or big piles of food that people put their hands in. But I think it’s going to be a good event and look forward to seeing everyone out here.”
In the one-mile event, Holualoa’s Adam Ankrum took top honors with his speedy time of 5 minutes and 32 seconds. Riki Furuto was next with his time of 7:11, followed by Adi Henry in third at 7:52.
Leilani Dang won the women’s division with her time of 8:28, with Big Island Running Company’s Emily Braswell in second at 9:03, and Eileen Platter in third with her time of 9:27.
The 3.5-mile race witnessed Kealakehe cross-country standout, Cameron Cornforth, cruise through the finish line in a swift time of 20:45. Taylor Williamson and Aiden Ankrum claimed the next two podium spots with their times of 21:21 and 22:09 respectfully.
For the women, I was the first to finish in a time of 24:23. Helen Hungate was next in a great time of 25:25, with Jessica Hickman rounding out the women’s top three in 26:41.
The turkey trotters ambitious enough to take on the 6.4-mile hilly route witnessed Chris Borgmeier taking the win with his time of 45:22. Holualoa’s Andy Walters kept it close by finishing in 45:50, with Bradley Baba in third at 51:50.
Alexis Van Pernis was the first female to finish in a fabulous time of 52:04. Kealakekua’s Erin Rene was next in 57:17, with Kailua-Kona’s Ali Steiner completing the women’s podium with her time of 59:12.
For Heather Pries and her family, the Wobble Gobble has been an annual family tradition since it began in 2005.
“This event has been a great event for my family, not only for health, but also a time to get together, enjoy the community, enjoy each other, and get out and race before we eat a large meal,” Pries said. “It’s been great just to be a part of the event and I just love doing it.
Pries, who is a registered nurse for the Hospice of Kona, added that her family continued the tradition during the two-year “virtual” Wobble Gobble.
“We still came back to this same site because we love this run, it’s a beautiful community, it’s a nice trail and it’s pretty protected,” said the Kailua-Kona resident. “It’s a good time for people to come out and enjoy each other. “I come with my three boys and my husband and I try to get family and friends to come too.”
Braswell said organizing the Wobble Gobble brings much joy.
“It’s fun to see how much the kids have grown since we haven’t seen them in two years. We are glad we can do this for the community — just to have a free event that people can come to and participate in on Thanksgiving morning.”