XTERRA
Digital
December 2014
Paul Mitchell XTERRA Wo
orld Championships 2014
Trail Running... is one of our favorites way to run. Here you do not have to look at splits, even thinking of looking at a watch while running does not make sense. Each mile in a trail race cannot be compared, one mile might be flat, while the next one is uphill, and the third could be a steep downhill with mud. Trailrunning is becoming increasing popular around the world. When runners have tested their skills on the road, set the records they needed to, and might be dealing with the aches and pains following the pounding of the pavement on their legs - then the trails can be a good alternative to turn to. XTERRA is the premier trail running event, and we have the World Championship right in our backyard! Read on the following pages about what you need to know about the Paul Mitchell XTERRA World Championships 2014. All photos copyright of XTERRA and Team Unlimited.
Paul Mitchell XTERRA World Championship The crown jewel of the Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run Series is the Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, and the majestic Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii has served as the host site since the creation of this prestigious event in 2008. This year, the race is scheduled for December 07, 2014, and more than 2,000 runners from around the world are expected to gather at Kualoa Ranch on the northeastern side of the island of Oahu. A 21-kilometer half-marathon course is considered the world championship course, and it takes runners through some of the most diverse – and scenic – terrain on the planet. It is worth noting that there is no qualifying process to enter the Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. It is an event open to runners of all ages, with skill levels that can range from elite to beginner. In order to accommodate the various levels, there will be various courses – the 21K championship course, a 10K, a 5K, and an “adventure walk.” The trails at Kualoa Ranch are normally closed to the public, so it offers a rare opportunity for runners to experience the unique setting. The 4,000-acre working cattle ranch reaches from the steep mountain cliffs to the sparkling sea, and the terrain varies from dense rainforest to broad open valleys, with close-up views of beautiful white sand beaches and awesome verdant cliff faces. The epic nature of Kualoa Ranch has served as a scenic backdrop for numerous television shows and Hollywood films such as Jurassic Park, Windtalkers, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, Tears of the Sun, 50 First Dates, and LOST. The fastest runners on the 21K course will be competing for a $10,000 total prize purse (top seven overall men and top seven overall women receive money). Everyone who conquers the half-marathon championship course will earn a finisher’s medal, and the top three runners for every age group in the 21K, 10K and 5K will receive medals and other prizes. The Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run World Championship is the culminating event of the Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run Series, which is a collection of more than 70 adventurous, off-road trail runs of various distances around the world. Note: You must be present to receive your awards at the Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. Awards will not be mailed after the event. Also, as a course rule for safety purposes, headphones are not allowed to be worn by runners.
COURSE DESCRIPTION By Race director “Kahuna Dave” Nicholas The start for all three distances is at the Kaaawa Valley base camp. Runners leave on a hard packed dirt road and within ¼ mile face their first task – a long, undulating ¾ mile climb. At the one-mile mark 5K runners will head down a pasture and back towards the ocean and the finish line (see turquois line on map). World Champ 21K and 10K runners will continue on the upper road until heading steeply downhill, some on road, some on grass. Runners head into a dark, dry creek crossing before heading back on some sweet single track on the ridgeline. Interesting note: this section of single track was created years ago for the legendary Hawaiian Mountain Tour bike races. It’s high pasture that dips into volcanic gulches to rise again into the sun. You’ll do this several times before the 10K heads to the finish. For the 21K world champ runners, the fun has just begun. Back on dirt roads and past a cave from the movie Pearl Harbor it is time to catch a bit of breath as you move from one valley to another. After aid station three, runners will head into construction for the new Kualoa Tropical Gardens and onto some up-and-down single/double track. Here runners venture deep into forest, and out on the edges with spectacular ocean overlooks and finally a dip into a dark, tropical rain forest with three stream crossings. If it looks familiar, think about scenes from the recent movie “Battleship”. Now runners might be thinking this isn’t so bad … until the terrain starts to climb. Easy at first and then brutally steep, and totally exposed to the sun. Just as you think it has leveled, the lie comes true and it is up again. At last a feed station that appears to be a dead end. But we are taking you up narrow single track – by narrow we mean a foot at most – to the spine that separates Hakipu’u and Kaaawa valleys. You’ll wish you could stop as you can see a thousand miles of blue Pacific no matter which way you turn. Then the single track plunges steep downhill where nobody goes except on this day. Muddy, rutty, steep drop offs, slimy and slippery. We’ve put ropes to help you stay upright and I guarantee you will use them. The good news? It is only ¼ mile. At the bottom you’ll find the terrain familiar as you return to the back of
Kaaawa Valley and run that gorgeous, fast and soft singletrack to the finish. Note that there is no pre-running allowed. Also, no headphones, earbuds, iPods or MP3 players allowed during the race. Sorry, we like to run with ours too but it’s not allowed during the race. In particular at this race, Kualoa Ranch has their regular bus, ATV, and horseback tours running through the valley and it is imperative you are aware of what’s happening around you. AID STATIONS There will be two aid stations for the 5km/3.1-mile race (at 1.7 and 2.5 miles), three for the 10km/6.20-miler (1.7, 2.5, 3.2, 4.7, and 5.8mi) and nine for the 21km/13.1-miler (1.7, 2.5, 5.7, 7.7, 10.3, 12.2, and 12.7). Gatorade and water served at all stations, and PowerBar Energy Gel packets available at key spots. RACE MORNING PARKING The gates open at 7a.m. It is $5 per car, and to help speed things up you can prepay and get a parking pass at packet pick-up in Waikiki on Saturday. If you can’t come Saturday, please bring a $5 bill. Note that if you are coming from town the entrances are past the main ranch house. We’ll have two entrances into the middle of Kaaawa Valley – the traditional surf gate entry for those coming from town and another entry for those coming from the North Shore. Please note that when traffic starts to back-up at “surf gate” volunteers will waive you down to the next gate. The distance to parking is the same and will relieve traffic on Kamehameha Highway. Be ready to show your yellow parking pass. EVENT RECORD Max King – 1:16:36 – 2010 Sally Meyerhoff – 1:28:58 -2010 TIPS Bring sunscreen, a chair, umbrella, maybe some mosquito repellent, a towel, change of clothes, patience (while you’re in line to park) and a cooler! You’ll have easy access to your car to retrieve whatever you need, and we’ll also have a bag check at the ranch. Leave your dog at home. RAIN OR SHINE - The race will go on. We actually think it’d be very cool if it rained. Can you imagine how much fun we’d have slipping and sliding down the muddy slopes in the Valley. It’d be like a scene straight out of an Indiana Jones adventure! We’ll have a wash area for you to clean-up regardless.
SCHEDULE Saturday, December 6 – Waikiki Beach Walk, Waikiki 9am-5pm Registration and packet pick-up at Waikiki Beach Walk 10am XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – hosted by Amy Eck with a course over view and race-day tips followed by running drills and CORE for trail runners. 2pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – hosted by defending XTERRA Trail Run World Champ Patrick Smyth Sunday, December 7 – Kualoa Ranch 7:00am Packet pickup at Kualoa Ranch 8:00am Expo Open 8:45am Hawaiian Blessing with Clifford Naeole, followed by Race Briefing 9am-2pm XTERRA Kids Zone challenge stations open 9am-1:30pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for Challenged Athletes Foundation 9:00am Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Running World Championship start 9:10am XTERRA 5K Run start 9:20am XTERRA 10K Run start 9:25am XTERRA Adventure Walk start 9:30am Projected 5km winner 10:00am Projected 10km winner 10:20am Projected World Championship winner (1st woman 10:30am) 10:45am XTERRA Kids Sprint (free) 11:00am XTERRA 5km and 10km Awards ceremony 12:00pm XTERRA World Championship race awards ceremony 1pm Expo Close 2:30pm Last 21K finisher 6:30pm XTERRA After Party – Jimmy Buffets, Waikiki 8:00pm Video highlights at After Party
EVENTS 5KM TRAIL RUN/WALK, 10KM TRAIL RUN Although not considered championship races, XTERRA will also host a pair of fun and beautiful 5km and 10km trail runs that take you from the base-to-the-back of majestic Kaaawa Valley. THE ADVENTURE WALK The adventure walk is perfect for those just wanting to take in the epic scenery of Kualoa Ranch, as this hosted stroll cruises past many of the movie sights in the valley. It’s about a mile-and-a-half and easily paced. Kids under 10 can join the Adventure Walk for free. XTERRA KIDS SPRINT (FREE) The XTERRA Kids Sprint is a fun way for the keiki to compete just like their parents in a supportive environment where everyone is a winner. The runs are free for kids 12 and younger, and the race distances will vary from around 100 yards to 1 kilometer, depending on the sizes and ages of the children. A parent or guardian must be present to sign a waiver form each child. Parents of the younger children can run alongside their children during the sprint. OUTRIGGER HOTELS & RESORTS KIDS ZONE (FREE) The Outrigger Hotels & Resorts XTERRA Kids Zone will be open from 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m., and it will offer children a chance to participate in numerous games and activities. Several challenge stations will be set up, including an obstacle course, climbing wall, and drawing/coloring areas. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts will also give away tattoos and other prizes for the children.
XTERRA UNIVERSITY Presented by Paul Mitchell There will be two sessions at Waikiki Beach Walk on Saturday – one at 10 a.m. hosted by Amy Eck with a course overview and race-day tips followed by running drills and CORE for trail runners. The other at 2pm hosted by defending XTERRA Trail Run World Champ Patrick Smyth. These elite runners will offer expert advice on trail running and preparation for the race. The clinic, presented by Paul Mitchell, is free and open to runners of all ages and skill levels. Each session will allow time for runners to ask questions of the featured speakers. PAUL MITCHELL CUT-A-THON Pro stylists from Paul Mitchell will be cutting hair from 9:00am until 1pm for just $15, and 100% of that will go to the Challenged Athletes Foundation – helping physically challenged athletes reach their athletic goals. POST RACE PARTY Jimmy Buffet’s at the Beachcomber The XTERRA World Trail Running Championship post-race party will be on Sunday evening, December 7 from 6:30 – 10:00 pm at the famous Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber Restaurant (2300 Kalakaua Avenue). Come join us to see video highlights of the race and an opportunity to swap stories with other racers from all different parts of the world! Entertainment will be from 6:30 to 8:00 PM where we will be giving away amazing prizes after the video highlights. There will be happy hour drink specials all night and a special $20 XTERRA menu including: burgers/fried, pulled pork sandwich/fries, gourmet greens with chicken or fish tacos.
See You There!