First thing in my vacation luggage — trail shoes. That’s because my road shoes go in the carry-on.

For the second year in a row, I traveled to the big island of Hawaii to visit my daughter and relax on the island’s windward side in Hilo, then attend a weekend festival of beer, food and running on the dryer and leeward Kona side. With only a few scheduled events, I had plenty of time to explore the island on foot.

After a long day of flying, I stiffly attempted some yoga poses in the backyard, then started jogging toward old downtown Hilo in search of morning coffee. The two-mile downhill run on the paved side road was the perfect after-flight run, and by the time I reached town, I felt energized for more.

The next day, my friend Dave and I chose an uphill running route to Boiling Pots State Park, a series of churning waterfalls and pools on Wailuku River which flows 20 miles from the jungle interior into the Pacific Ocean in Hilo Bay. Not satisfied to view the waterfalls from one location, we continued on dead end Pihonua Road across the river and past small garden plots, pasture and small steel-roofed houses.

Although we had planned to run to the end of the road or at least to another scenic point above the river, we were forced by neighborhood dogs to turn back after the almost four miles of climbing. We couldn’t resist stopping on the way back for a short hike on pig trails to dip our feet in the clear, cold pool below the waterfall.

On Saturday morning, we drove to downtown Hilo and watched a few hundred red-shirted participants of all ages and sizes walk along beautiful Hilo Bay in a community Heart Walk 5k. But instead of joining the civilized stroll, Dave and I met a member of the local Hash House Harriers to help set an off-road running trail for the adventurous group.

Last year’s Hilo Hash included off-road running through taro fields and a cemetery, an unauthorized tour of a sugar cane factory and climbs on roots, rocks and ropes. This year, we helped lay a flour trail into the jungle, up a boulder-strewn stream for a view of a remote waterfall, then down to a quiet pool with stunning views of the sea. We carefully avoided fire ants and swatted a few disease-carrying mosquitoes, then crossed on slippery rocks through knee-deep water that poured from a lava tube and 30 feet into a green pool below.

The entire trail measured barely four miles, but we were only half done. We grabbed a quick snack before meeting the rest of the Hilo runners who would give us a short head start, then chase us through the trail we had just laid.

When our trail shoes dried after a few days, we drove south to Puna and a run/hike to Shipman Beach, a secluded cove of black sand, lava and Nene bird preserve. The trail itself is less than four miles, but the terrain of lava mounds, tree roots and mud makes it a challenge. The route was also in the path of the 2014 hurricanes Iselle and Julio which uprooted huge shallow-rooted trees across the trail.

Following a few days rest, we journeyed to Kona to run the 9th Annual Run for Hops 5k and 10k, a road race held in conjunction with the annual Kona Brewers Festival. The run benefits Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) which promotes bike and pedestrian projects on the island.

The event has grown each year and this year more than 150 runners completed the 10k while over 400 runners and walkers completed the 5k distance. Dave and I both set a more conservative pace in the hot sun and made better finishing times than last year.

Following the race, we cleaned and packed our running shoes for the trip back home, satisfied that we had sampled some of the best of Hawaii’s diverse running.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Runs, Valencia. Run on rolling country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Challenging course, 10 a.m. start for 5k, 11:15 A.M. start for 1 mile. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 45 floors to the top of Oxford Centre for American Lung Association. 412-321-4029, ext. 226 or rmazur@lunginfo.org

Saturday, 8 a.m.: JC Stone 50k Road Race, North Park. loudangelo@aol.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Irish Heritage 5k/ 10k, Tyrone. Also 50 yard kids dash at 10 a.m. 814-684-2032 or joshuahouse.com/races

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 a.m. www.mammothbeermile.com or info@flattire.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 1 Mile, 2.25 Mile or 4 Mile runs with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners starts at South Park Children’s Playground. 412-561-0768

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5k Run and Fun Walk, Warren. jody@warrenymca.org

March 26, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30k to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 412-490-0881 or Eliterunnersracing.com

April 2, 9 a.m.: Butler Area Library First Annual April Fools’ 5k Run/Walk, Butler. Starts at Alameda Park Jaycees Shelter. cdreher@bcfls.org

April 2, 9 a.m.: Friends of the Manor 5k and 10k, Pymatuning State Park. 724-932-3186 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

April 2, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Scenic run along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or cookforest.com/marathon

April 2, 10 a.m.: Prep4Pitt-3 Half Marathon and 5k, Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or mctrails.org

April 3, 9 a.m.: Not Another Polar Vortex 5k and 15k, Boston. Run on Yough River Rail Trail, also kids run at 8:30 A.M. 412-760-5302 or teambrunazzi@gmail.com

April 3, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special 2 Mile or 5 Mile, Sykesville. 814-952-0490 or jcarc.org

April 9, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of half marathon or five miles of rugged trails. Register online at alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race or bmazur@intelmarx.com

April 9, 9 a.m.: Bigfoot ½ Marathon and 5k, Kittanning. Flat out and back course. briggle@rgsymca.org

April 9, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Indiana. The 38th running of this fast course with rolling hills. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 16, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run on Yough River Rail Trail. 412-780-7802 or donna.bour@bourassociates.com

April 16, 9 a.m.: Be a Hero For a Hero 5k, Shippenville. Run at Clarion County Park. Participants encouraged to dress as superheroes, free registration for kids 12 and under. 814-223-1590 or amandacserr@gmail.com

April 16, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run Water Association Earth Day Dash 5k and 15k, Apollo. Online registration at runsignup.com or roaringrun@gmail.com

April 23, 9 a.m.: Patti J. Nelson Foundation 5k Memorial Run/Walk, Evans City. Challenging and scenic course along Patti Nelson’s favorite walking route. All kids ages 12 and under receive finishers’ medals. 724-538-9553 or Pattijnelsonfoundation.com

April 23, 9 a.m.: Superhero 5k Run and 1k Fun Walk, North Park. Participants encouraged to dress as superheroes. Costume contest, family activities. 412-760-0483 or pittsburghsuperheroes@gmail.com

Race results

Ellport Boro 5k, March 5: Benjamin English, 1st Overall M, 17:13; Katie Lutz, 1st Overall W, 19:27; Bonnie Smerk, 2nd Overall W, 20:57; Alison Filer, 3rd Overall W, 21:35; Carter MacMurdo, 1st 15-19 M, 19:44; John Erdesky III, 1st 35-39 M, 19:56; Tony Ford, 2nd 35-39 M, 20:50; Scott Coulter, 1st 25-29 M, 20:52; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:56; David Suber, 1st 55-59 M, 22:25; Jeff Filer, 3rd 35-39 M, 23:00; Stushica Sadowski, 1st 25-29 W, 23:08; David Voland Sr., 2nd 40-44 M, 23:20; Stush Sadowski, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:25; Blake Kelly, 1st 14 & Under M, 23:34; Holly Ford, 1st 30-34 W, 24:17; Cindy Suber, 1st 55-59 W, 25:28; Madeline Spadafore, 1st 14 & Under W, 25:29; Angelica Mason, 1st 40-44 W, 26:02; Dave Voland Jr., 1st 20-24 M, 26:03; Breanna Valvano, 2nd 30-34 W, 26:31; Vanessa Botti, 2nd 25-29 W, 26:37; David Cappello, 1st 45-49 M, 26:51; Autumn Heinz, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:53; Michael Poff, 3rd 70+ M, 27:19; Chloe Kuffer, 3rd 15-19 W, 28:07; Paul Johnson, 3rd 65-69 M, 28:28; Sammy Rocco, 3rd 40-44 M, 28:33; Nathalie Kuffer, 2nd 40-44 W, 29:05; Emily Rodenbeck, 2nd 14 & Under W, 29:20; Scott Rodenbeck, 3rd 50-54 M, 29:21; Joan Schilling, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:39; Tara Skeen, 3rd 30-34 W, 30:18; Debra Kuminkoski, 1st 50-54 W, 32:19; Sherree May, 3rd 55-59 W, 32:37; Kim Kenetz, 2nd 50-54 W, 41:07; Chris Bamberger, 3rd 50-54 W, 54:32; Colby Bomberger, 2nd 15-19 M, 54:34; Robyn Acock, 3rd 25-29 W, 57:34; Greg Hardin, 29:03; Leslie Maine, 29:41; Michelle Steffler, 29:58; Robert Crawford, 30:19; Lenny Yensull, 30:48; Ashley Smith, 31:12; Dez Csizmadia, 31:36; Kristen Rocco, 32:35; Heidi Wolanin, 32:49; Tom Murray, 33:22; David Steffler, 36:16; Sandy Lumley, 38:23; Carmen Corazza, 54:28; Debra Acock, 1:01:10

Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon, March 6: Ryan Kienzle, 1st Overall M, 1:11:41; Ben English, 3rd Overall M, 1:21:20; Mckinsie Klim, 1st Overall W, 1:26:41; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 1:33:50; Brian Buchan, 1st 40-44 M, 1:27:44; Jason Sittler, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:27:58; Kimberly Hohman, 1st 35-39 W, 1:35:21; S Mark Courtney, 1st 60-64 M, 1:37:13; Kate Hrach, 1st 45-49 W, 1:48:23; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:52:59; Lori Mcclafferty, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:58:48; Sherrie Mazurek, 3rd 55-59 W, 2:25:30; Matthew Sudak, 1:29:55; John Armstrong, 1:40:16; Steven Nichols, 1:40:31; Robert Todd, 1:55:29; Laura Augustine, 2:25:29; Carol English, 2:35:48; John Ropelewski, 2:37:19

Mill Creek Distance Classic 5k, March 6: Todd Perren, 1st Overall M, 19:22; Laura Pfahler, 1s Overall W, 23:43; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 23:01; Amanda Wilhelm, 3rd 35-39 W, 30:24

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.