Key Takeaways
- Registration is open for the Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge.
- The virtual event in October features routes inspired by Hawaiʻi Island.
- Options include a 50-mile run/walk or a 125-mile run/walk/team relay.
- The challenge supports Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.
- Incentives include team creation, printable bibs, Spotify playlists, and a Facebook community.
- Educational content about Hawaiʻi Island’s culture and geography is provided.
Holoholo Challenge Registration Open
Honolulu, Hawaii–Athletes of all levels can now sign up for the third annual Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge.
Hawaiian Airlines announced in a press release that the Hawai-inspired fitness experience runs throughout October and invites participants worldwide to track their progress with virtual routes inspired by scenic roads that wind through Hawaiʻi Island – also known as the Big Island.
“Each year, the Holoholo Challenge has been a fun way for Hawaiʻi lovers to commit to their personal wellbeing while virtually exploring the Hawaiian Islands – no matter where they are in the world,” said Rob Sorensen, vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, in the press release.
Participants can take on one of two virtual courses: a solo 50-mile run/walk on Saddle Road, the high-elevation highway that stretches from Hilo to Waimea, passing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, or a 125-mile solo run/walk or team relay across the southern section of Hawai’i Belt Road, starting in the rainforests of Hilo, through Kaʻū, and ending in the lava fields of Kona.
Supporting Local Conservation Efforts
Holoholo Challengers, as noted in the release, will also be encouraged to donate to Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit working to protect a 32,830-acre parcel on the Island of Hawaiʻi that is home to 29 critically endangered species including seven birds, one insect, one mammal and 20 plants found nowhere else in the world.
Those embarking on this year’s month-long challenge can stay motivated by creating a team, printing a bib to add to their race memorabilia, challenging friends, or working out to Spotify playlists curated by Hawaiʻi’s hometown airline. Registrants can also learn about Hawaiʻi Island’s rich culture, history, and unique geography on the Holoholo Challenge website, sign up for regular emails notifying them of their progress along the digital route, and join the popular Holoholo Challenge community on Facebook.
What We Think
The Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge is an innovative way to blend fitness with cultural immersion, allowing participants around the globe to engage with the beauty of Hawaiʻi virtually. It not only motivates individuals to prioritize their health but also raises awareness and support for the critical conservation efforts in Hawaiʻi. The interactive and educational components, like progress emails and cultural insights, add significant value, making the Holoholo Challenge a commendable blend of well-being, learning, and community engagement.
Read the original press release.
