Running World Championship

If you find pavement boring and prefer running on trails along mountain cliffs, through rain forests or by the beach, then the Dec. 7 XTERRA Trail Running World Championship is the race for you. 

Honolulu-based organizer Team Unlimited chose Kualoa Ranch as its final trail-running destination for the 2008 world series that featured off-road marathons in 15 other states and seven countries.

“Kualoa Ranch represents old traditional Hawaii,” says Trey Garman, vice president of Team Unlimited. “And the views [here] are to die for.”

The trail-running series began four years ago, but this year it went international with races in Europe and Asia. “All the races are unique and the challenges vary dramatically,” says Garman. “It’s pretty much anything Mother Nature throws at you.”

The Kualoa Ranch run is the 51st in the series, with trails running along the Kualoa Mountains and into Kaaawa Valley. Runners of all ages and skill levels can register for any of the three races: the 21K, 10K or 5K. Those who don’t want to race can go on a tour of famous movie locations on the ranch, such as those for Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, 50 First Dates and more. Future off-road runners can maneuver through obstacle courses inside the XTERRA Kids Zone.

For registration forms and more information, call 792-2611 or visit www.xterraplanet.com