Kathie Fry
11-14-2008, 11:35 AM
I just found out the 26th Annual "Kilauea Volcano Run" on July 26, 2008 was the last Volcano Run to be held inside the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I think that is partly because of the recent high level of volcanic activity, flowing lava, and unhealthy fumes but I believe that even if that were not the case, the event would have to be moved outside the park to protect the natural and cultural resources within the park. According to race director Phyllis Segawa, the event organizers are in the process of finding an alternate route for the race.
When I first saw the cancellation notice on the Volcano Arts Center Web site I thought the entire event was being cancelled forever (eek!) but now I realize it has just become necessary to change the route (phew!). Here is a related press release from the Volcano Arts Center:
KILAUEA VOLCANO RUNNING EVENT BEING RE-ROUTED
September 26, 2008 Announcement
2008 Marked Final Running of Kilauea Volcano Runs within the Park
Volcano, HI - Friday, September 26, 2008 - The Volcano Art Center and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park today announced that 2008 marked the final running of the annual Kilauea Volcano Runs within the park.
The necessity and appropriateness of the three races—a 26.2 mile marathon, 10 mile rim run, and 5 mile caldera run—being held within the national park have been under discussion between the two agencies for the past several years. The event, conducted under a federal special use permit, requires strict compliance to ensure protection of the park’s natural and cultural resources and adherence to national park policy and law, and wilderness regulations.
The summit eruption of Halema‘uma‘u Crater that began in March 2008 nearly forced the cancellation of the race this year, but park officials and race organizers worked together to reroute the marathon and 10-mile course to avoid the volcanic fumes and fallout. Sulfur dioxide gas and ash from the ongoing eruption continues to inundate several miles of the former race routes.
Phyllis Segawa, Volcano Art Center Director, was the race director for the first Kilauea Wilderness Run. Said Segawa, “We have time to explore alternative routes in Volcano and Ka‘u.”
The Kilauea Volcano Runs celebrated its 26th year in 2008. The races often would attract 1000 runners and proceeds from the event would benefit the Volcano Art Center
The Kilauea Volcano Run is an off-road trail running event held every year since 1983 inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Park ranger Dan Sholly created the event to toughen up his staff by training them to run on all types of terrain. Today the Kilauea Volcano Run includes four separate events, all run primarily on lava surfaces and dirt trails. The four events are:
- Volcano Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Rim Run (10 mile course around Kilauea Crater)
- Kilauea Caldera Run (5 mile race)
- Kilauea Caldera Walk (5 mile fun run)
Stay tuned for more information about the 2009 Kilauea Volcano Run. I will post new information here as it becomes available... or maybe the race director or one of the event organizers will post an update here. That would be so cool!
- Kathie
When I first saw the cancellation notice on the Volcano Arts Center Web site I thought the entire event was being cancelled forever (eek!) but now I realize it has just become necessary to change the route (phew!). Here is a related press release from the Volcano Arts Center:
KILAUEA VOLCANO RUNNING EVENT BEING RE-ROUTED
September 26, 2008 Announcement
2008 Marked Final Running of Kilauea Volcano Runs within the Park
Volcano, HI - Friday, September 26, 2008 - The Volcano Art Center and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park today announced that 2008 marked the final running of the annual Kilauea Volcano Runs within the park.
The necessity and appropriateness of the three races—a 26.2 mile marathon, 10 mile rim run, and 5 mile caldera run—being held within the national park have been under discussion between the two agencies for the past several years. The event, conducted under a federal special use permit, requires strict compliance to ensure protection of the park’s natural and cultural resources and adherence to national park policy and law, and wilderness regulations.
The summit eruption of Halema‘uma‘u Crater that began in March 2008 nearly forced the cancellation of the race this year, but park officials and race organizers worked together to reroute the marathon and 10-mile course to avoid the volcanic fumes and fallout. Sulfur dioxide gas and ash from the ongoing eruption continues to inundate several miles of the former race routes.
Phyllis Segawa, Volcano Art Center Director, was the race director for the first Kilauea Wilderness Run. Said Segawa, “We have time to explore alternative routes in Volcano and Ka‘u.”
The Kilauea Volcano Runs celebrated its 26th year in 2008. The races often would attract 1000 runners and proceeds from the event would benefit the Volcano Art Center
The Kilauea Volcano Run is an off-road trail running event held every year since 1983 inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Park ranger Dan Sholly created the event to toughen up his staff by training them to run on all types of terrain. Today the Kilauea Volcano Run includes four separate events, all run primarily on lava surfaces and dirt trails. The four events are:
- Volcano Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Rim Run (10 mile course around Kilauea Crater)
- Kilauea Caldera Run (5 mile race)
- Kilauea Caldera Walk (5 mile fun run)
Stay tuned for more information about the 2009 Kilauea Volcano Run. I will post new information here as it becomes available... or maybe the race director or one of the event organizers will post an update here. That would be so cool!
- Kathie