Destination Trail or City Guide?
Labels are unavoidable. We have to use them to make sense of the world around us. But we’re firm believers that labels should serve us, not the other way around. So, when a runner from Hawaii offered to contribute a feature, we quickly said, “Yes, please!” then realized we weren’t sure whether it would fit best within our Destination Trail category or with our City Guides. It didn’t take long to conclude it didn’t much matter. As long as we’ve provided a bit of information and encouragement, we’ve achieved our purpose.
So, yes, we realize that, for most people, Hawaii epitomizes “destination” and that there is much more to Hawaii than Oahu. But, since we decided to park this feature with our other city guides, we are sticking to two trail running options easily accessed from Honolulu. Branch out to other trail networks and islands, if you like. In fact, we encourage it. Now let’s get on with it.
Waikiki
Many visitors to Hawaii never feel compelled to venture far from Waikiki. Given the number and density of its attractions, this is an entirely defensible attitude. Happily, the list of attractions close to the beach includes a serious trail running venue. How close? Less than 5 miles from your Waikiki hotel. How serious? Serious enough to host the legendary HURT 100 each January.
Odds are good that experiencing the HURT 100 trails in the Tantalus area will either tempt you to do the race proper or scare you straight. The one sure thing is that you will come away duly impressed by HURT 100 finishers.
Tantalus route options are many, but putting together your own “HURT 100 Sampler” may be especially appealing. One way to go is to take on the entire (modified) loop that comprises each 20-mile lap of the race, then ponder the implications of doing it 4 more times. Just remember, if you stare into the abyss long enough, it will stare back.
Another way to go is to work out a shuttle-assist or out-and-back of all or part of any one of the three trail legs that comprise the loop: Nature Center to Paradise (7.3 miles one-way), Paradise to Jackass Ginger (5.4 miles), or Jackass Ginger to Nature Center (7.3 miles). The race map and cue sheet available here from the HURT 100 race site (home page linked above) should provide all the recce you need to fine-tune your own adventure.
No matter what route you choose, you will be challenged by the steep, technical terrain, stimulated by up-close interaction with flora and fauna, and rewarded with amazing vistas of the city and ocean.
North Shore
If you are inclined to stray a bit from Waikiki, the North Shore represents an easy way to scratch that itch. It’s only 35 miles away, but it feels much farther. Like Tantalus, the prime North Shore trail network is host to a HURT ultra, in this case the Peacock 54. Held in October, Peacock caps off a budget-friendly series of trail events organized by HURT each year.
Exposure is considerably greater for North Shore trail running than at Tantalus, due to the relative remoteness of the area and a greater diversity of trail user types, including jeepers and hunters. Tackling this area as a solo mainlander is not encouraged. Rather, you should contact HURT to see if someone from their tribe will be heading to the area while you’re in town. Here’s a visual taste of why it might be worth the extra bit of coordination.
Lodging
Let’s stick with the theme of options, one no-brainer and another with just slightly more edge.
If you like the predictabilty of a well-known and respected hotel brand, the Hilton Hawaiian Village comes recommended as the cream of the Waikiki crop. It is a resort behemoth at 22 acres. Multiple towers housing a variety of accommodations. Multiple pools. Multiple on-site shops and restaurants. Something, in other words, for nearly everyone. A recent web search using dates wrapping around the Peacock 54 returned average rates of $188/night.
If your lodging preferences tilt more toward the boutique, consider the posh Halekulani or its slightly more affordable sister hotel, the Waikiki Parc. Both are still large, resort-style hotels, but are a bit more distinctive than the Waikiki super resorts. Our web search returned an average rate of $407/night for the Halekulani and $168/night for the Parc.
Hilton Hawaiian Village
2005 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
T: (808) 949-4321
Halekulani Hotel
2199 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
T: (808) 923-2311
Waikiki Parc Hotel
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
T: (808) 921-7272
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Devon Webb of the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team — June 2008 .
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