Reminder: Solstice Run in one month - sign up now!!!

3 miles on the schedule today.....done!

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Hey, everyone!  As you know, I'm the resident blogger for Kona Running Company's races and this is a reminder that the Solstice Run will be coming up exactly one month from today.  It's an extra special day because not only will this be the 10th anniversary of the race, it also happens to be my birthday.  Just what I asked for - a great birthday run!  So I want all of you to celebrate with me by joining me for a race at the Solstice Run.

Here are some of the details below:

This year, as in previous years, they will have the 10 mile run.  It's the one I have run for the last two years and this year will be my third year.  As I told you in the past, this is the only race I'll have run three years in a row so that tells you how great it is.  For those of you not ready to run a 10 mile race, there is also a 10k run as well.  Both races will include an awesome finishers medal:

And even if you are not ready for the longer runs or you're looking to work on your speed work or would just like to walk, you can also sign up for the 5k run/walk or the Maui Mile.  The 10 mile, 10k and 5k include a Kona Running Company 10 year anniversary cap and an awesome tech shirt to go with it.  The Maui Mile will include the tech shirt.  You must sign up by June 20th to guarantee you a shirt so why not just sign up today?

All the races start at Northville Downs.  This is an incredible place to start.  It's so unique and fun to run/walk around the race track.  I also love that there is lots of parking so you are not worried about where to park.  Even when the parking lot fills, this year the race is offering a shuttle from Northville High School.  The course is a beautifully designed course and even has a run through downtown Northville before finishing up in Ford field on the track.  A great place to finish and still very close to the start where you parked.

If you are running the 10 miles, here a preview of the elevation from last years race when I ran it:

As you can see it's a bit hilly --- they call it North Hill; not Northville!!!  Ha!  Actually the hills are not really bad and very reasonable for anyone that trained to run the distance.  Ok, maybe better to do a little hill training.  Yes, it might be a bit more of a challenge but you didn't want it to be easy to earn that medal, did you?

Here's a look at the courses again:

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Worried about the heat?  Not to worry.  The start of the 10k is 7:15am and the 10 mile starts at 7:30am.  The Maui mile starts a little later at 8:15am with the 5k following up at 8:45am(with a 2 wave start).  Even if you run a 12 minute pace for the 10 mile, that's a finish time at 9:30am so it's still reasonable cool at that time.  The 10 mile, 10k and 5k are certified courses so you can be sure the distance will be "at least" what you have signed up for.  Last year my Garmin came in at 10.13 miles so very close and remember, you have to run all the tangents to get it perfect.

In following with the Tropical theme, next year the race will change it's name to the "KONA RUN".  It fits in great with the theme, don't you think?  I mean, how many races do you have a Luau party at the end of the race with Hawaiian dancers.  This is great fun.  Also, one of the best things about this race is they have an expo right after the race at the finish line.  I think it's a great idea and gets all the runners involved with the sponsors and they always have some great freebies.  I don't think I know a runner that doesn't like freebies.

These races are the most organized races I have been involved with since I started running.  They always have more than enough information on their website.  They have knowledgable volunteers and are always enthusiastic when you run through the Fluid/GU brew stations.  They give you updates on their races on Facebook.  The courses are always well planned, marked well and have volunteers directing you.  They have great entertainment before/after the races.  They always have plenty of finish line food with lots of choices.  Most of all, they include all the bling - Tech Shirt, Hats, and an incredible medal this year(and previous years).

If you are fast?  They have some really cool age group awards for top three in each group.  Check them out.  I wish I was fast enough to get my hands on one of these.  It's nice to get something useful too:

AG awards for 2012

Have you run the Kona races before(Sham Rock N Roll, Solstice or Wicked Halloween)?

So who's going to join me and over 3,000 of my closest friends? Sign up now to get a reduced rate.  Very reasonable for everything that's included in the race.

If you are not interested in running, the company is also looking for volunteers and you get a race tech shirt for helping out and can celebrate at the finish line with everyone.  If interested, please e-mail Jill: alan@konarunningcompany.com and let her know you are interested in helping out.  It takes hundreds of volunteers to put these races together and any help is very much appreciated.

Need more information:

For their website, click HERE

For their Facebook page, click HERE

I look forward to seeing you out there!

Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!