Triple Trek Course Preview/Training
Aloha Everyone,
Many congratulations to all that ran last weekend’s awesomely muddy and wet Maunawili Out & Back 22-miler (aka the Run with the Pigs). Much mahalo to Marian and Neal Yasuda for putting on another great event that keeps us coming back year after year as well as adapting the race route & post-race fun! It’s now time to keep those legs going for the next-to-final race of the H.U.R.T. trail series, the Tantalus Triple Trek (3T)!!
This year we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the event by running the original route (to the best we can). The race will take place on Saturday, September 3 and will consist of three consecutive loops of the course (for a total of 30+ trail miles). If you do not know the course, please be sure to take part at least two of the training/preview runs in the next few weekends. As no pacers will be allowed, it is highly encouraged for those who are not familiar with the course to attend at least one of the sessions.
Course Route: The start (and finish) of one 10-mile loop will be at the Maunalaha-Kanealole trail head at the picnic/bathroom area. Runners will proceed up the trail head and make a left turn at the bench to proceed up Kanealole Trail (aka Center/Pipe). At the top of Kanealole, go right along Makiki Valley trail (aka Crossover/Twisters). Upon reaching the four way intersection (with Maunalaha/Moleka/Ualakaa), runners will take a left up Moleka trail. About ¼-mile (400 m) up Moleka, go left up a set of dirt and plumber stairs. The course will proceed along Moleka through the bamboo forest and cross Roundtop Drive. After crossing the road, the course will proceed along the entire length of Manoa Cliff trail. After passing through the Manoa Cliff Conservation area, runners shall make a left turn after coming out of the lower (second) gate to keep them along Manoa Cliff trail. After four hairpin turns, the trail will connect with the Kalawahine trail (at the bottom of a small set of stairs). Make a left and follow Kalawahine trail to its trailhead on Tantalus Road (Concrete/Telephone road will be on your left). Go right on the road, being careful of the vehicles and cyclists. About 200 m down the road will be the Nahuina trail head on the left side. Take Nahuina trail down to the intersection with Makiki Valley trail making a left to continue down to the intersection with Kanealole. Proceed straight across to follow Makiki Valley trail back up to the four way intersection. Runners will then make a right to proceed down Maunalaha Trail (aka Hogsback) then back to the start (making a left upon reaching the bench. The 10-mile loop concludes upon reaching the picnic table and bathroom area.
The course map can be seen below (click to enlarge). Orange is the outbound route and green the return.
This Saturday, August 13, Jeff will be leading the first preview/training run to guide those interested on one full loop of the course. (Remember there are four weeks until race day so we will be doing more loops with each passing weekend.) We will be meeting at the picnic and restroom area at the Maunalaha-Kanealole trail head (by the Hawaii Nature Center) at 6am. Runners are expected to bring a minimum of 20 ounces of water as well as any nutrition (gels, energy bars, magic potions) you require, and most of all have fun. If you have not yet been on the Tantalus trails, please make it a point to remain with Jeff and the group, or be with someone who knows the course. For those unfamiliar with the trails, feel free to print a copy of the course map for reference along the training run.
If you choose to do additional mileage or be on your own, be sure to have adequate water and nutrition as well as know the route (as well as your limits).
Please feel free to contact us via email at hurt3trek[at]gmail.com.
Have a great remainder of week and hope to see you on the trails!
Mahalo,
Sandi, Loren and Jeff (da 3T RDs)