Posted on: Friday, January 14, 2005

Trail, weather challenges add to 100-mile endurance run

Advertiser Staff

The fifth annual Hawaiian Ultra Running Team (HURT) 100-mile endurance run is tomorrow.

More than 90 runners are registered to take part in the event that starts at the Hawai'i Nature Center in Makiki.

The cutoff time is 36 hours, or 6 p.m. Sunday. Runners also can run a 100K (62.5 miles).

"Ultra running is rumored to be kind of a crazy sport. I don't adhere to that. I think it's a healthy and fun way to spend time," said Don Fallis, 63, a Honolulu businessman.

"This particular race is one of the most difficult ultra marathons anywhere. The trails, elevation gain and loss, the humidity — rain forest-type conditions can make it difficult — so there's not a high finishing rate. Maybe between 25-35 percent of the people who enter the race actually finish."

Fallis, who has yet to finish, will be making his third attempt at 100 miles, although he said he's completed the "100K option."

For information, call Fallis at 247-4144.