12 Hours of Makawao: 5/22/2010

Jan and I flew over to Maui for the 12 Hours of Makawao - a low-key event put on by the Valley Isle Road Runners at Kahakapao trail, a 6-mile loop in the Makawao Forest Reserve. Participants can run or mountain bike or both. For a few hours or all day.

Our original plan was to try to complete 8 loops (~49 miles) in 12 hours. But it turns out that the gate to the parking lot is only open from 7am-7pm. So realistically, that only gave us ~11 hours of running time.

Tom, the event director, graciously met us early and led us up the hill to the parking lot. We met some of the other runners and bikers and then were on our way at 7:20am.

Two of the local runners, Jackie and Marsha, were kind enough to show us the way on the first loop. It's a 0.5 mi dirt road from the parking lot to the Kahakapao trailhead. Then ~5.6 mi loop - up the East Loop to the top for the first half, then back down the West Loop. The trail has switchbacks up and down, so it's a gradual climb and a gradual downhill. Definitely a run-able grade, although we walked most of the uphills, since we were there all day.

The trail is very well-marked, with mile markers every half-mile and blue arrows on the trees to point the way. Since the trail is in the forest, the trail is leaves, pine needles, and soft dirt. A very forgiving surface and not at all rooty or rocky like Tantalus trails. And this past weekend, the trail was dry and in perfect condition.

Jan

Julie

http://connect.garmin.com/player/34599912
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

We would run 2 loops, then return to the car to restock. The Garmin route shows our first 4 loops (before the battery on my Forerunner 405 ran out). And the elevation map shows how consistently the trail is graded.

All in all: We completed 37 miles in 10.5 hours. On an amazing, amazing trail. At an easy, self-supported event. Can't wait for next year! Tom promises it'll be "even more low-key."

Splits (by loop):
1      1:28
2      1:41
break  0:05
3      1:39
4      1:41
lunch  0:19
5      1:59  (picture-taking loop)
6      1:44
Total: 10:36 / 37 miles / 17:11 avg

Gear:
- Asics Trabuco trail shoes
- Thorlo running socks
- Running Funky gaiters
- Camelbak (1.5L / 50 oz)
- 2 Clif bars
- 2 packs gummi bears
- 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- 1/2 orange
- 2 bags pretzels
- McDonald's french fries (delivered by Brad and his Dad!)
- 11 Thermotabs / S-caps
- 75 oz (0.6 gal) Gatorade
- 75 oz (0.6 gal) water

The aftermath