They call it the Big Island, but Hawaii is a runner’s small world.

The ink was hardly dry on my last column when I boarded a plane to Hawaii for a family/running/ beer vacation.

The plan was to visit Hilo for a week of running, hiking, etc., then finish with a trip to the sunny side of the island for Kona Brewers Fest. The details would fill themselves in the blank spaces.

Vacation is like training. It helps to plan, but it pays to be flexible.

I packed running gear (road and trail) and checked out a few options, finally signing up for a race held in Kona in conjunction with the beer festival since it’s always good to come home with a race shirt from an exotic locale.

Running is the best way to truly see a place.

On day one, my friend Dave and I hit the streets of Hilo to run/jog/sightsee.

We first headed out of town past a Boy Scout camp, historic sugar cane plantation and several neighborhoods with views of waterfalls, surfers on Hilo Bay and ships beyond.

We ended with a cool-down stroll through the market district and a visit to Big Island Running, with stores in Hilo and Kailowa-Kona, the only running specialty store on the island.

Just like our local running stores, Big Island was the connection to all things running on the island. We left with two souvenir shirts, one new pair of shoes, schedules for group runs and contacts for the Hilo Hash House Harriers.

Each group has its own purpose, style and personality. Sometimes it’s a fit, sometimes not. The Wednesday evening Big Island Running group proved to be an inclusive, expansive and eclectic group. Some were training for the upcoming Hilo Marathon and Half Marathon on March 14. Others were merely warming up for a post-workout yoga class.

I fell in step with the midpack and DJ, a 67-year old Big Island employee and veteran of more than 100 marathons (including Pittsburgh in 1988.) In five miles I learned not only DJs life story, but the history of Big Island Running, the line on the upcoming marathon and the dish on fellow group runners. We ended with lilikoi water and stretches in front of the store.

Based on info from Big Island and a cursory web search, we showed up on Saturday at the appointed time dressed in mixmatched running clothes and trail shoes to an overgrown parking lot for the 5th running of the Hilo Hash House Harriers. We immediately felt at ease among the two dozen runners, walkers, dogs and adventurers of this newly formed branch of the worldwide running and beer drinking subculture.

After introductions and instructions by our host, a pony-tailed runner clothed in nothing but a Speedo and running shoes, we took off on a quest for adventure and hidden beer. Along the way, we encountered hidden tunnels leading to the sea, precipitous descents above the surf followed by 30-foot roped cliff climbs, and tours of taro fields and surfer beaches. Following the run and post run beers, we met again in town for roller derby to support a hasher’s roller-wife, and later for drinks and music at a local bar.

When we finally reached Kona and the Brewfest 5k/10k the following Saturday, we weren’t surprised to see at least a dozen of our new island friends. The Hilo and Kona hashers were well represented, along with runners sporting Big Island Running singlets. We also recognized a few people from the previous day’s snorkeling cruise and made new friends from as far as Alaska and Minnesota.

Instead of the singing of the national anthem, our race was blessed by a traditional Hawaiian chant. The course was fairly level, though we were unaccustomed to the Kona heat.

After the exertion of the run, we finally relaxed at the afternoon’s Kona Brewer’s Fest. We strolled the festival grounds and relived the week’s events and adventures with the several beer lovers --- the same runners, hashers and racers we had met throughout the previous week.

The flight to Hawaii is 15+ hours. On a long flight, drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverages before, during your flight to prevent dehydration. Deep vein thrombosis or DVT, a condition where blood clots form in the legs, is a hazard of long flights. Wear compression socks to keep blood from pooling in the lower legs and feet. Stretch your legs under the seat in front of you or stand up and walk briefly during your flight.

It’s your vacation. You want to get there as quickly as possible, but building a few short stops into the flight may be healthier. Schedule one or two stops of approximately an hour. That’s enough time to stretch your legs and still make your connecting flight.

Upcoming Events

Saturdays, 8 A.M.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Winter weekly run. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8 A.M.: J.C. Stone 50k, North Park. loudeangelo@aol.com

Sunday, 9 A.M.: Athletic Trainer River Run 5k and 1 Mile, Pittsburgh. 412-432-3770 or dlugosj@upmc.edu

Saturday, 9 A.M.: Brave American 5k/ 10k/ 1 Mile Walk, Sewickley. 412-999-8827 or rveltre262@gmail.com

Saturday, 10 A.M.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5k Run and Fun Walk, Warren. chris@warrenymca.org

Sunday, 10 A.M.: Fifth Annual March for the Military 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. 724-591-3261 or ota5k@zoominternet.net

March 28, 8 A.M.: 2nd Annual Western PA Endurance Fest, Indiana. 25k, 50k, 25k Relay, 50k Relay. Kyleward86@yahoo.com

March 28, 8:30 A.M.: Just a Short Run 5k, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon, 30k, North Park. 412-490-0881 or eliterunners.com

March 28, 10 A.M.: Maple Festival 5 Mile Run and 5k Walk, Meyersdale. 814-445-6213 or pamaplefest.com

March 28, 11 A.M.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Flat, out-and-back course along the Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or dbeverino@clarion.edu

April 4, 9 A.M.: Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 5 Mile Trail Races, Hollidaysburg. Challenging trail runs in Canoe Creek State Park. bmazur@intelmarx.com

April 4, 10 A.M.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Half marathon and 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

April 4, 10 A.M.: Lock Stock and Barrel Easter Bunny Hop 5k, Sharpsville. Also half mile kids run. Barrymclaughlin59@yahoo.com

Golden Tide Baseball 5k, Curwensville. debharzinski@atlanticbb.net

April 4, 10 A.M.: Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Indiana. An area favorite for 37 years. New 5k distance. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 4, 11 A.M.: Hop for Hope 5k, Harmony. Starts at Race Church. devinshopforhope@gmail.com

April 11, 9 A.M.: Bigfoot Half Marathon and 5k, Kittanning. Starts at YMCA. 724-545-9622

April 11, 9 A.M.: Achilles Pittsburgh Hope and Possibility Race 5k, 10k and 1 Mile Fun Walk, North Park. Run one or both starting at Boathouse. www.achillespghrace.comS412-326-9110

April 11, 9 A.M.: Spring into Fitness 5k, Grove City. Starts at Grove City College. 412-913-4231 or nelmsbk1@gcc.edu

April 11, 10 A.M.: 3rd Annual Ole’ 5k Run/ Walk, North Park. Level loop around North Park Pool area s tarts at Harmar Grove. www.ole5k.com

April 18, 8 A.M.: Pirates Charities 5k Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or www.pirates.com

April 18, 9 A.M.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/ Walk, Elizabeth Township. Out and back on Yough River Trail. 412-780-7802 or www.thebostontrail.com

April 18, 9 A.M.: Roaring Run Water Association 5k and 15k, Apollo. Run on Roaring Run Rail Trail. www.roaringrun.org

Bud Shuster Run for Your Life 5`k Run, 2 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Sponsored by Hollidaysburg YMCA. 724-695-4467 or www.hollidaysburgymca.org

April 19, 3 P.M.: Hustle 4 Heart Reach 5k Run/ Walk, New Wilmington. Starts at Westminster College. 724-971-6094 or MOTTERML@westminster.edu

April 25, 9 A.M.: Sugar Rush 5k Run and Walk, Hermitage. 724-981-2950, ext. 234

Race Results

Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon, March 1: Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 1:25:26; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 1:41:55; Kimberly Hohman, 2nd Overall W, 1:46:55; Brian Buchan, 3rd Masters M, 1:40:48; Rob Gaus, 1st 45-49 M, 1:41:27; Jake Winter, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:52:57; 1:59:08; Renea Gaus, 2nd 45-49 W, 2:18:14; Steven Nichols, 2:00:34; Barbara Ford, 2:54:23

Mill Creek Classic 5k, March 1: Devin Walsh, 1st Overall M, 21:39; Jenna Evans, 1st Overall W, 28:19; Mitch Radella, 1st 45-49 M, 28:08; Nichol Murray, 1st 35-39 W, 32:02

Ellport Boro Community 5k, March 7: Ben Hoffman, 1st Overall M, 16:53; Ben English, 2nd Overall M, 17:20; Alison Filer, 1st Overall W, 20:44; Bonnie Smerk, 2nd Overall W, 20:51; Dave Bowser, 2nd 35-39 M, 22:49; Karla Durnell, 1st 35-39 W, 22:57; David Suber, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:26; David Cappello, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:23; Holly Matsko, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:48; Renea Gaus, 2nd 45-49 W, 26:42; Dave Johnston, 3rd 50-54 M, 26:44; Amy Lutz, 1st 40-44 W, 27:43; Cindy Suber, 2nd 55-59 W, 28:48; Michelle Steffler, 3rd 35-39 W, 29:45; Sherree May, 3rd 55-59 W, 30:56; Tricia Ketterer, 3rd 45-49 W, 33:33; Kristen Rocco, 2nd 40-44 W, 33:35; Madison Rocco, 1st 14 & Under W, 37:47; Jessica Durnell, 3rd 14 & Under W, 51:16; Kristen Jennings, 2nd 30-34 W, 52:41; Maggie Jennings, 3rd 60-64 W, 52:46; Lenny Yensull, 29:49; Robert Kinney, 31:52; Tom Murray, 33:05; Dez Csizmadia, 33:22; David Steffler, 35:01; Anne Dawson, 36:27; Kim Kenetz, 42:17; Lisa Dixon, 43:20; Becky Johnston, 52:22; Melissa Travis, 52:24; Bill Johnston, 52:24

March Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 14: Andy Gregor, 1st Overall M, 54:47; Ann Mazur, 1:04:05; Michael Smocer, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:07:01; Andrew Williams, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:11:26; Sharyl Relic, 1st 50-59 W, 1:21:26; Allison Boretsky, 2nd 19 & Under W, 1:28:26; Adrienne Cook, 3rd 40-49 W, 1:28:41; Katie Kukieza, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:34:39; Mark Casteel, 1:10:54; Roger Hyde, 1:27:37; Megan Boretsky, 1:28:27; Rhonda Merhaut, 1:30:08; Mike Hucko, 1:32:58; Tisha Frederick, 1:33:21; Karen Carmichael, 1:33:37; Sara Rice, 1:37:32; Sean Hutchins, 1:38:46; Sandra Zugell, 1:39:58

March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 14: Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Overall M, 31:26; Cheyenne Noble, 1st Overall W, 33:31; Matthew Opdyke, 2nd 40-49 M, 39:09; Lana Stockdill, 1st 40-49 W, 39:30; Judy Caringola, 2nd 40-49 W, 41:01; Liz DeMoss, 1st 50-59 W, 48:15; Jesse Carolinga, 1st 19 and Under W, 49:27; Alberto Voltolina, 43:23; Catherine Close, 43:27; Heidi Yeager, 47:25; Amanda Lucco, 47:27; Andrew Weisner, 48:32; Jessica Moslander, 50:47; Jamie Pillar, 53:01; Nikki Tench, 53:01; Patricia Boretsky, 54:06; Lori Kosarko, 1:00:37

March Mad Dash 5k, March 14: Brendon Lawlor, 1st Overall M, 19:09; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 21:12; Matt Harnett, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:32; Tim Campbell, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:57; Marin Smocer, 1st 19 and Under W, 26:15; Isaac Fischer, 2nd 20-29 M, 32:24; Sara Fischer, 3rd 19 and Under W, 32:50; Lori Shane, 2nd 50-59 W, 42:51; David Fisher, 25:10; Steven Petzuk, 25:24; Karen Gliebe, 28:44; Jordan Arthur, 29:46; Lisa Arthur, 29:52; Leanne Finney, 29:58; Eric Finney, 30:00; Stephanie Bostic, 32:12; Brenda Murray, 43:53; Amber Scholl. 1:04:09

Patricia Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net