79: The 100-miler: Part 25 (1978-1984) Early Hawaiian 100-milers

Ultrarunning History

By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch In the late 1970s, Hawaii had the most runners per-capita than any other state. Some called it the “running capital of the world.” Hawaii was also an early adopter of the 100-mile race and other ultras distances races. Similar to the Fort Mead 100 in Maryland (see episode 75), Hawaii’s first 100-milers grew out of ultra-distance relays and shorter ultras. In 1976, “Primo Ultramarathon and Relays” began at Hawaii Kai on the eastern tip of Oahu, using a four-mile paved road loop. A solo 50-miler was included and by 1978 expanded into solo distances of 50K, 50-miles, 100K, and 100 miles. A massive 40-mile relay was also held each year with teams of ten runners. Running on the islands exploded. This popularity did not happen by chance. It came about because of many key individuals who devoted much of their lives to make distance running races available to the general public in Hawaii. To have an appreciation of the first 100-milers established in Hawaii, one must learn about the rich running history that evolved there over the years. Norman Tamanaha – The Father of Distance Running in Hawaii Distance running took place on the Hawaiian islands for centuries. Legends exist of ultrarunners running around the various islands well before the Kingdom of Hawaii was established. During the years before World War II, Norman K. Tamanaha (1907-1977) of Palama, Hawaii, emerged as a top runner when he won the Diamond Head five-miler in 1937. The first known marathon held in the islands was in 1943 from Moiliili to Makapuu. In 1946 Tamanaha became the Hawaiian AAU 10-mile champion, and he was the first Hawaiian to finish the Boston Marathon the following year. He dominated Hawaiian races for a decade in his 40s and finished the Boston Marathon a total of five times. His best performance there came in 1952 when he finished in fifth place with 2:52:10. He achieved great fame on the islands, organized many races, was a longtime high school track coach, and became known as “the father of distance running in Hawaii.” Roger Toguchi - AAU Races in Hawaii As early as 1954, the AAU in Hawaii was organized and became active in putting on road races of various distances including the Hawaiian AAU Marathon. Roger S. Toguchi (1924-1978), a service station owner, was the chairman of the AAU Hawaiian long distance running committee for many years. He was a respected running pioneer who helped a generation of long-distance runners. He designed the initial marathon course to finish in front of his service station. Continuing into the 1960s, Toguchi made a huge contribution, including financially, to amateur athletics in the Islands, not only to distance running but also to weightlifting and women’s track. For his efforts, in 1962 he was awarded a life-time membership in the AAU. From 1963-66, the Hawaiian AAU Marathon was run as loops at Kapiolani Park and then changed to follow a route that later became the course for the Honolulu Marathon. Johnny Faerber Johnny Faerber (1936-) was a legendary runner in Hawaii. He won the 1967 Hawaii marathon and recalled, “I was the only one to finish in ’67. We got started at 8 a.m. and it was really hot by the time we got out to Hawaii Kai. There were six or seven other guys running, but they all dropped out. We didn’t have water stops or any of that stuff then." In 1971 Tamanaha helped move the marathon to Maui and in 1976 it was renamed to “Maui Marathon.” Tamanaha died at the age of 70 in 1977 and Toguchi died at the young age of 53 in 1978. Kapiolani Park Kapiolani Park, in Honolulu on the east end of Waikiki, became the centerpiece for Hawaiian running. It is one of the oldest public parks in Hawaii. In 1952, the 300-acre park started to become popular for use, when it was renovated. The two-mile circumference became a very common place to run with views of the ocean and Diamond Head. Over the years,