It's probably not a good idea to enter a world championship on a whim. But that's how I ran the Xterra World Championship Half Marathon Dec. 5 in Honolulu.

I'm not usually looking for a race of any kind in December, my traditional break from training. What I really wanted was an easy local 5K with a really cool commemorative T-shirt so that I could brag about running in Hawaii on my vacation.

But my search returned two choices: the Honolulu Marathon, a big city marathon that attracts more than 20,000 participants, two-thirds of whom hail from Japan, or the Xterra, a trail run through the wild Oahu highlands.

I chose the shorter distance with scenery and soft footing over the city bustle and hard pavement.

A 45-minute bus ride brought me to the Xterra starting area at Kualoa Ranch, which offers ATV and horseback tours for the adventurous and facilities for outdoor receptions and parties against the backdrop of green soaring peaks on one side and rolling surf on the other.

Several movies, including “Jurassic Park,” were filmed at the ranch, and we passed set construction of a stone castle during our run.

A course marshal gathered the field of more than 1,500 half-marathon, 10K and 5K runners, whose ages ranged from 12 to 75, for final instructions.

And then we started, a herd of thundering trail runners kicking up a cloud of dust on the ATV trail of the first undulating miles of the adventure run. I tried to hold back and let my legs find half-marathon pace, but as so often happens, I got caught up in the excitement of the moment.

I settled into a pace line on the single track at mile four, then passed a few runners who struggled to find their footing over the roots, rocks and tall grass. The course rose, then fell away to reveal a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Back on the rolling ATV trails, twists and turns, dust and scree made the run hotter and the footing less secure.

I began to look forward to the odd-numbered mile markers and their associated aid stations, walking through each one to conserve energy.

The course began to climb, and climb, and climb — a thousand feet of dusty sliding switchbacks between miles eight and nine. At the top, a knife-edged ridge divided the dry face of the mountain from its rain forest backside.

The trail dropped so steeply that ropes were stretched between the trees for handholds. I slipped, slid and hopped to the valley below, leapfrogging over more tentative runners who surely would catch up to me once we reached the smoother terrain.

Finally, the trail circled back toward the sea and I spied the finish line. I crossed the line, received my survivor's medal, then collapsed onto the grass to rest my throbbing quads before raiding the refreshment table and choosing a patch of shade from which to watch the champions crowned.

Although I in no way conquered the course, I was more than satisfied to survive the event, and to collect an age-group medal and flower lei for my efforts. The commemorative shirt is pretty cool, too.

Of those who actually trained to race the event, Max King of Bend, Ore., finished first, a three-peat winner with a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, 36 seconds.

Sally Meyerhoff of Arizona, the American record holder for the 10-mile road race, won the women's division with a 1:28:58 finish.

For information about Xterra, visit www.xterraplanet.com.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Dec. 31, 1 p.m.: Jingle Bell 5K, Canfield, Ohio. 330-770-8351 or www.jinglebellrunyoungstown.com

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K Run-Walk, Harmony. 724-452-6780, option 3 or www.harmony-pa.us

Jan. 9, 9 a.m.: Frigid Five Mile, North Park. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.com

Jan. 9, 2 p.m.: Run2Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, W.Va. 304-366-6055

Jan. 22, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 5-Mile or 10-Mile, Buhl Farms Park, Hermitage. 724-456-2373 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Race results

Dirt Monster 5K, Nov. 6: Nick Farina, 1st Overall M, 34:14; Kim Bellora, 1st Overall W, 43:49; Jody Lobert, 2nd Masters M, 40:36; Michelle Donofrio-Lobert, 1st Masters W, 51:02; Mark Knapp, 1st 40-49 M, 42:27; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-49 M, 43:19; Nathan Boyle, 3rd 18-29 M, 46:08; Ron Hartle, 2nd 50-59 M, 49:39Jeff Smith, 46:10; Carl Hill, 51:12; Jim Gemperlein, 52:18; Heather Cianfrocco, 53:22; David Murray, 55:32; Toby Schwab, 57:01; Bob Congdon, 58:50; Carrie Jackson, 1:06:21

Operation Troop Appreciation 5K, Nov. 7: Steve Strelick, 1st Overall M, 16:09; Dana Cerroni, 1st Overall W, 19:17; Chris Geddis, 1st 25-29 M, 17:30; Keith Cerroni, 1st 30-34 M, 19:22; Adam Sudano, 2nd 11-14 M, 19:51; Mitch Radella, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:36Martin Herman, 2nd 30-34 M, 21:01; Bill Schessler, 3rd 40-44 M, 21:07; Ron Hartle, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:51; Barbie Derenzo, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:21; Megan Gallagher, 1st 10 and under W, 26:48; Patty Long, 3rd 35-39 W, 28:06; Becky Desantis, 1st 60-64 W, 29:12Gregory Schiller, 21:00; Alex Herman, 21:16; Jody Lobert, 21:31; William Loeffler, 24:20; Aaron Kovalchick, 25:18; Tom Ebbert, 25:34; Robert Kirsopp, 25:35; Kevin Gallagher, 26:43; Pam Romeo, 26:54; Michelle Donofrio, 27:18Matthew Claycomb, 28:06; Kirsten Long, 28:47; Beth Long, 29:40; Amy Rick, 30:10; Lori McClafferty, 30:45; Janis Hackett, 31:44; Bridget Ebbert, 32:01; Maria McKanish, 34:58; Tammy Hughes, 42:58

Armstrong County YMCA 10K, Nov. 13: Grant Baron, 1st 34:47; Tim Monfre, 2nd Overall M, 37:36; Veronica Bujdos, 1st Overall W, 38:31; Holly Bauer, 3rd Overall W, 42:11; Rich Makin, 1st 50-59 M, 41:16; Brian Cochran, 2nd 40-44 M, 45:28; David Adams, 2nd 60 and over M, 48:08; Carrie Smith, 3rd 30-34 W, 49:56; Sherrie Mazurek, 1st 50-54 W, 58:49; Ruth Cochran, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:01:27; Susan Tassey, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:02:26; Bruce Soule, 48:30; Jeff Bowser, 51:42; Laura Augustine, 1:02:27

Armstrong County YMCA 5K, Nov. 13: Heath Piper, 1st Overall M, 17:07; Eric McCall, 2nd Overall M, 18:04; Sarah Getsay, 1st Overall W, 21:39; Jim Pitts, 1st 30-39 M, 19:25; Buddy Turner, 1st 60 and over M, 24:14; Amy Getsay, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:47; Stacey Bowen, 1st 30-34 W, 26:25; Dez Csizmadia, 3rd 60 and over M, 26:47; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 40-44 W, 27:10; Brittany Cochran, 3rd 15-19 W, 32:24John Olinger, 25:57; Lou Lodovico, 28:41; Jesse Allen, 30:20; Holly Dupill, 31:09; Amanda Booher, 32:19; Robyn Stewart, 34:34; Dana Hogue, 34:58; Jean Gallagher, 37:48; Jacob Steffy, 39:16; Chris Steffy, 39:51; Liam Gallagher, 42:19; Tracy Morris-Soule, 48:32; Rick Olinger, 49:55Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.