Runners from Kauaʻi and beyond will lace up June 6 for the 44th annual Hā’ena to Hanalei race, a North Shore tradition organizers say marks the unofficial start to summer on the Garden Island.
Participants can choose from four events: a half-marathon, an 8-mile run and walk, a 5K run and a 1-mile youth race. All courses finish at the Hanalei Canoe Club, where runners can celebrate with a pancake breakfast.
The 8-mile course begins at Keʻe Beach in Hāʻena and follows a scenic roadway and one-lane bridges towards Hanalei town, ending at the Hanalei Pier.
Mary Mair, who has organized the race for the past decade, said the event continues to draw the community together.
Last year, the race achieved a significant milestone by welcoming a record 900 participants. They included 130 individuals from the mainland who successfully completed their 50th half-marathon in the 50th state.
Ben Payne was first across the half-marathon finish line with a time of 1:15:16. Kyle Uechi won the 1-mile youth race with a time of 6:06. And Jaxon Wheeler was first in the 5K race in 17:50.
Devin Maldonado came in first in the 8-mile run with a time of 45:55 and Isaiah Martinez came in first in the 8-mile walk with a time of 1:28:43.
The longtime community event also serves as a fundraiser to help send the club’s qualifying youth paddlers to the state competition in August.
The Hanalei Canoe Club successfully raised approximately $40,000 the previous year and will flip the pancakes at the breakfast this year.
“The Hā’ena to Hanalei is so special, and it’s all for such a good cause,” Mair said.
The race will start at 7 a.m., and complimentary shuttle buses will be provided to transport participants to the starting line at Keʻe Beach. Registration closes on June 5 at 6 a.m.
Click here to complete the online registration or for further information.
