(Photo Courtesy of Ragnar)
By Miguel Gonzalez
Editor
(North Shore)–Famed running series Ragnar will be making its debut in Oahu with the much-anticipated Trail Relay at Turtle Bay Resort.
The Ragnar Trail North Shore Oahu overnight running relay will take place April 21-22, 2017. With capacity for up to 350 teams at Turtle Bay Resort, approximately 2,600 participants are expected to compete.
Ragnar develops long distance, team, overnight running relays that take place in the most breathtaking locations in the world. In the running relay format, teams come together to conquer a course over two days and one night, and push their limits, on little amounts of sleep, with friends and a community of runners by their side.
The already sold out event has not only captured attention of many around the nation who dream of running in the fabled North Shore but also the Kama’aina running community.
Photo Courtesy of Ragnar
“Ragnar coming to Oahu has been a work in progress for many years and now that this is a reality, we are beyond excited to hold this race in this iconic island,” Ragnar Race Director Pat Paterson told Hawaii Ahe. “I can’t tell how excited we are to bring this race experience to the island.”
For this unique event, Ragnar has partnered with Turtle Bay Resort in developing miles of trails designed to challenge running teams while keeping the wonderful essence of the North Shore of the island.
“For us it was very important to make sure we respected the land and organized an event that provided unique experiences for our running teams,” Ragnar Senior Account Director Elise Timothy said. “Turtle Bay has been instrumental in making this event happen.”
Ragnar Trail North Shore Oahu will consist of teams of eight people who will run relay-style on three different single track loops. Teams will run day and night through lush jungle vegetation and along the ocean coastline at Turtle Bay Resort until each team member has completed all three trail loops traversing close to 120 miles together. The total mileage for each runner is 13.3 miles, a little more than a half marathon.
But Ragnar is more than just a team relay run, “it is an experience,” according to Timothy. Members can choose to camp with their team along the trails, party at Ragnar Village complete with campfires, s’mores, music, food, endless coffee and comfy hammocks, or guests can stay in one of the newly refreshed rooms at Turtle Bay Resort.
Photo Courtesy of Ragnar
According to Paterson, the Ragnar Village is the heart and soul of the event. Each trail begins and ends in Ragnar Village. It is the start line, the finish line, and the exchange point. After each loop you will return to the support of your teammates and the adulation of the teams around you.
Elise explained that Kama’aina response to the event has been overwhelming and a good indicator for future races in and around Oahu. “We have been made to feel welcome and this motivated us to keep on planning races for the future.”
One thing is for sure, the sold-out event will create many long lasting memories for locals and visitors running the newly-constructed trails around the Turtle Bay property and it will exemplify the spirit of aloha as a community comes together for a healthy goal.
Editor’s Note:
Hawaii Ahe editors will be participating in the the Ragnar trail race, stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates, photos and live reports of our progress. If you are participating, come out and say hello to our editors and other runners. Aloha!
Photo Courtesy of Ragnar
IN DETAIL:
For trail maps and info: https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/trail/oahu
Race Name: Ragnar Trail North Shore Oahu 2017
Race Date: April 21/22, 2017
Race Venue: Turtle Bay
Race Address: 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731
Start Times Posted 3/24/2017
Volunteer Registration 3/24/2017 – 4/16/2017
Pay for Volunteers Deadline 4/16/2017
Late Runner Substitutions – $20 fee 4/8/2017 – 4/14/2017
Final Team Name Change Deadline 3/16/2017
Classification/Division Change Deadline 4/14/2017
Pre Race Trail Talk (Team Info and Q&A Session) 6:00 PM Island Time (8:00 PM Pacific) 4/12/2017
Pre Race Trail Talk – Web link http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ragnar-trail-series
Preliminary Results Posted 4/25/2017
Requests for Results Clarification & Changes 4/27/2017
Final Results Posted 4/28/2017
Photo Courtesy of Ragnar
