A vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii — race or fun run, hilly trail or photo opportunity, long slow distance or family reunion? Maybe I don’t have to choose.

Big Island International Marathon — race or fun run? This 22nd scenic race beginning in Hilo on “the coast of old Hawaii” features views of waterfalls, lava bridges and beach parks with sunning green turtles and surf breaks. It’s also on the wet coast, so weather is tropical.

The event includes a half marathon, 5k and, new for this year, a 10k. A friend from Pittsburgh was running the half, so Dave and I decided to cheer on her start, then run the 5k as a fun run.

Our event started at 6:30 a.m. and offered views of glassy Hilo Bay with Mauna Loa beyond basking in a rosy sunrise. We jogged along shady Bayfront Drive and Liliuokani Gardens on an out-and-back course through the area of town devastated by a deadly tsunami in 1960.

Our friend Heidi had a less enjoyable run for the half marathon. With 10 miles done, the race passed by the start/finish area on the way to the final 5k. Heidi reported the course was very hot, very hilly, and with only 250 half marathoners, very lonely. The full marathoners, with fewer than 100 participants, endured an even hotter, hillier and lonelier run.

Mahukona Beach Park — trail run or photo op? This small beach park on the Kohala Coast is the site of an abandoned Kohala Sugar Company rail terminal and harbor. The railroad, which carried cane and passengers from northern cane-growing towns, shut down in 1945, with the port of Mahukona closing in 1955.

The park is now renowned as a snorkeling area, family picnic spot and scenic trail which follows the old rail bed for two miles along the coast. While Dave checked out the schools of Yellow Tang and swam among industrial relics, I hit the dusty trail heading north.

The trail wasn’t the straight, packed gravel or paved rail-trail I’m accustomed to. It’s more like a Jeep or 4-wheeler trail winding through scrubby trees. Fountain grass spilled over onto the rutted and rocky road and grew thick down the middle.

I hopped from side to side, picking the best footing while keeping an eye toward the ocean a few yards away. After many near-stumbles and detours to view the deep blue surf and to look for monk seals on the black, rocky shore, I gave up running and hiked, camera in hand, until the sun became too intense and I craved a dip in the clear water of Mahukona.

Mana Road — long slow distance or family reunion. When my daughter and I get together, we spend miles and hours hiking, jogging, talking, musing. Mana Road in Waimea is almost perfect for simply enjoying the outdoors and good company. I say “almost” because the road stretches on for 40 miles. It’s easy to lose track of time in the open, rolling cattle country.

Mana Road begins as a paved rural road which quickly becomes a straight, two-lane gravel route through the 130,000 acre Parker Ranch. Eventually, Mana narrows and increases in steepness until it becomes a rugged, rutted ATV and mountain bike trail ending at The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy on Mauna Kea at 9300 feet of elevation.

On a clear day, the road offers views of lush green fields interspersed with wildflowers and dotted with Angus cattle, and beyond, the towering presence of Mauna Kea at 13,803 feet above sea level. On a not-so-clear day, the road is shrouded in clouds and mist with little detail visible beyond the road itself.

For our Mana Road adventure, Lottie had chosen a route with a side loop offering views of Mauna Kea. We started out in afternoon sunshine, but were quickly enveloped in cloud, then spitting rain. We bailed on our jog/hike when our teeth began to chatter too much to carry on a conversation.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Training for distances up to marathon, starts at All Fit parking area. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

March 30, 9 a.m.: Super Hero 5k Ben Banks Memorial run, Beaver Falls. 724-462-5356 or jlkrigar@gmail.com

March 31, 8:30 a.m.: 18th Annual Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 miles, half marathon and 30k starting at North Park Boathouse. www.justashortrun.com/registration or 412-490-0881

April 6, 9 a.m.: Maple Festival 5k Run & Walk & 5 Mile Run, Meyersdale. 814-634-8717 or gmiller1958@yahoo.com

April 6, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Choice of half marathon or 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events

April 6, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10k & 5k, Indiana. 724-349-0501 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

April 6, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 5 miles or half marathon on rugged trails. bmazur@intelmarx.com or www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 7, 10 a.m.: The Pathfinder Trail Run, South Park. Sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

April 7, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Run along Clarion River. www.cookforest.com or 814-393-2081

April 7, 3 p.m.: Choice of 2 or 5 miles to benefit Camp Friendship and Arc or Jefferson and Clearfield counties. 814-952-0490 or creativegardencc@gmail.com

April 13, 10 a.m.: Easter Egg Dash 5k and Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt. Held at Butler Senior High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. Kaitlyn_reges@butler.k12.pa.us

April 14, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at Moraine State Park’s McDaniel’s Boat Launch. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

April 14, 9:15 a.m.: Montour Trail National Tunnel 5k and 10k, Hendersonville. Run on Montour Rail Trail, 10k start at 10 A.M. 412-818-5905 or dandlpoe@juno.com

April 18, 6:30 p.m.: Mercer Elementary Glow Run, Mercer. Run or walk 2 miles to benefit Mercer Elementary Field Day, participants encouraged to wear neon and/or glow sticks. Register online at www.runsignup.com or wmcclure@mercer.k12.pa,us

April 7:30 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5k Home Run, Pittsburgh. Run at PNC Park to benefit Pirates Charities. 412-325-4781 or pirates.com. Register online at www.mlb.com/pirates/community/race

April 20, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run on Yough River Trail of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or donna.bour@bourassociates.com

April 20, 9 a.m.: Erie Runners Club Spring into Fitness, Presque Isle State Park, Erie. Benefits ERC scholarships, also beach cleanup following the run. 814-881-0600 or davecomi@gmail.com

April 27, 10 a.m.: 4th Annual Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Evans City. 724-272-7564 or pattijnelson5k@gmail.com

Race results

Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, March 16: Jake Folaron, 1st Overall M, 18:55; Sara Zambotti, 1st Overall W, 18:59; Eric Weiland, 2nd 50+ M, 23:47; Patrick Reitz, 26:17; Andrew Acosta, 38:43; Campbell Curry, 54:57

Judith’s Jig 5k, March 16: Gate Deyoung, 1st Overall M, 17:40; Riley Fronce, 1st Overall W, 20:52; Howard Minor, 3rd 40-44 M, 23:10; Debbie Courtney, 1st 55-59 W, 26:16; Logan Kier, 2nd 10 and Under M, 26:54; Johnny Patrus, 1st 70+ M, 39:05; Lincoln Kier, 23:34; Alfan Fajar, 25:09; Emmet Pears, 31:33; Andy Nichols, 31:38

Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5k & 1 Mile Fun Walk, March 16: Ron Liscio, 1st Overall M, 19:12; Amy O’Donnell, 1st Overall W, 21:11; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 11-20 M, 23:09; Jordan Dollard, 2nd 21-30 M, 23:58; Sheila Markel, 1st 51-60 W, 27:05; Beth Davis, 2nd 41-50 W, 27:42; Cindy Sheesley, 2nd 51-60 W, 28:47; George Spencer, 2nd 60+ M, 29:53; Kelly Pastoria, 3rd 51-60 W, 29:56; Martin Schaeffer, 3rd 41-50 M, 31:23; Mary Tola, 3rd 41-50 W, 31:34; Alan Buriak, 24:32; Jacob McClelland, 25:55; Laney Pastoria, 27:01; Heather Hunter, 28:02; Francine Garrone, 28:04; Luke Ladoucer, 29:09; Ryan Cunningham, 29:09; Asher Miller, 29:43; Nicholas Walter, 29:56; Todd Rupert, 29:57; Dan Stephenson, 30:31; Kristen Bracken, 30:44; Christine Hannon, 32:51; Megan Nelson, 32:59; Lavinia Nabors, 33:53; Eric Anderson, 34:11; Amanda Roppolo, 34:23; Casey Guidry, 34:40; Lisa Smith, 36:20; Anna Oshlick, 38:28; Dan Markel, 38:28; David Markel, 38:28; David Olszak, 38:29; Devon Brocious, 43:43; Breanna Kamerer, 43:44; Emily Mulligan, 45:43; Bryan PAvlina, 55:36; Brock Pavlina, 55:36; April PAvlina, 55:36; Rena Roteski, 58:28; Suzanne Buday, 1:02:01

St. Pat’s 5k, March 17: Magnum Vincent, 1st Overall M, 18:12; Emma Stevenson, 1st Overall W, 21:39; Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 21:22

Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon, March 24: Brent Martin, 1st Overall M, 1:09:27; Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 1:19:15; Michelle Kim, 3rd Overall W, 1:23:55; Shanna Aisles-Istnick, 1st Masters W, 1:24:59; Gary Ford, 1st Grand Masters M, 1:25:32; Ro Morgan, 1st 30-34 W, 1:24:32; Mike Legare, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:25:36; McKisie Klim-Gilna, 1st 20-24 F, 1:33:28; Jackie Disibio, 1st 35-39 W, 1:34:55; Jimmy Ferraro, 2nd 45-49 M, 1:36:29; Gwendolyn Musser, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:37:27; Danielle Harrison, 2nd 60-64 W, 1:43:47; Sharon Nelson, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:44:13; Alecia Kidder, 3rd 25-29 W, 1:47:01; Jill Conroy, 3rd 55-59 W, 1:52:32; Barbara Ford, 3rd 60-64 W, 2:20:23; Tro Lewis, 1:30:13; Matthew Sudak, 1:32:51; James Nichols, 1:39:08; Caitlin Snyder, 1:40:15; Stephen Mihalacki, 1:45:47; Chad Coblitz, 1:47:01; Jason Toot, 1:47:05; Tim Newell, 1:52:15; Karyn Seeger, 1:53:18; Ellie Rogenski, 1:53:59; Chris Cullen, 1:59:56; Rick Chambers, 2:03:56; William Woods, 2:10:04; Kevin Dominic, 2:10:34; Justin Karzmer, 2:14:10; Erica Tamburin, 2:23:45; Janelle Fumerola, 2:41:35; John Ropelewski, 2:58:38

Mill Creek Distance Classic 5 Miler, March 24: Robert Vogt, 1st Overall M, 28:39; Mary Eagle, 1st Overall W, 35:46; Melissa Klim, 3rd Overall W, 38:43; David Palmiotto, 1st 25-29 M, 34:31; James Frost, 1st 30-34 M, 35:29; Catherine Hrach, 1st 45-49 W, 39:22; John Jordan, 3rd 35-39 M, 40:31; Amy Chambers, 1st 35-39 W, 43:01; Gabrielle Rieth, 3rd 30-34 W, 43:36; Dan Sahli, 1st 60-64 M, 46:26; Paul Johnson, 2nd 70+ M, 49:28; Tamie Sahli, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:00:30; Robert Lewis, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:01:29; Douglas Shirley, 46:09; Kera Yelkin, 47:40; Stepphanie Gordan, 48:09; Lisa Resnick, 49:30; Lisa Blair, 49:56; Megan Crawford, 50:59; Steven Mitchell, 51:46; Cindy McBurney, 52:15; Tiffany Chill, 1:02:39; Kate Hepfner, 1:06:49

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle