PUUWAAWAA — Hosting one of the few off-road running events available on the Big Island, the 16th annual Run for the Dry Forest on Saturday did not disappoint. The event featured 10K, 5K, and keiki runs which attracted a turnout of 255 enthusiastic trailblazers eager to put their “goat climbing skills” to the test.
Named Puuwaawaa, which translates to “the many-furrowed hill,” this location showcases an exotic native dryland forest that serve as the home for endangered bird and plant species. What lures both Hawaii residents and visitors from across the globe to this annual trail adventure are the daunting challenges presented by the off-road single-track trail 10K event that winds around the most prominent landmark in the area — a majestic ancient volcanic cinder cone from which the land derives its name.
To compete in the daunting off-road 10K challenge, participants had to contend with loose rocky terrain, narrow winding turns, and a punishing ascent that soared 1,200 feet over the initial three miles, leaving lungs gasping and legs burning with exertion.
However, the picturesque views from the top of Puuwaawaa makes it all worthwhile — unfiltered panoramic portraits of Maunakea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and the Kohala Mountains before the crazy steep descent toward the finish line.
In the extreme trail 10K footrace, Kailua-Kona’s Danny Friebel claimed victory with his time of 44 minutes flat. Following in second place from Waianae was David Kaahanui in 44:15, with Waikoloa’s Daniel Hill in third at 44:45.
On the women’s side, Kailua-Kona’s Jennifer Henricks won her first Puuwaawaa 10K crown with her time of 55:02. Newport Beach, California’s Andrea Bates kept it close and placed second with her time of 55:52, while Hilo’s Kimberly Pierce rounded out the women’s podium in 57:01.
In the shorter and less painful 5K race, the amazing Frozen Peas Production event organizer, Peaman, outran everyone to win in a fabulous time of 22 minutes flat. Pahoa’s Naga Nataka followed in at second place with his time of 23:20, with Erik Diaz from Honokaa in third at 23:42.
Honolulu’s Anna Baker Mikkelsen easily won the women’s event in 25:32, with the next two podium spots going to Kailua-Kona’s Parker Osborne and Volcano’s Donna Ohora with their times of 29:07 and 29:14 respectively.
The annual Run for the Dry Forest is a partnership between the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, the U.S. Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest, the Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Three Mountain Alliance, and the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Puuwaawaa is home to several species of endangered birds and many endangered plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Proceeds from the annual race events contribute to conservation of these species.