Run For the Dry Forest 2023
Mahalo for attending the 2023 RDF. Click the link to view the race results.
Saturday, October 28th is the 16th Annual Run for the Dry Forest.
Get ready - the Run for the Dry Forest (RDF) is returning to Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a!
The RDF is a 10km run, 5km run/walk and 1/4-mile keiki run. You can choose to run or walk a 5km course (suitable for most people) or do a 10km run (an "extreme trail running experience" featuring a 1200 ft elevation gain in the first 3 miles). There is also a free fun, non-competitive 1/4-mile keiki run on flat surfaces; parents are welcome to join the kids, educational booths, and interpretive trails to stroll along.
It’s fun for the whole family.
Online registration opens August 1st.
Registration is closed and there will be no race day registration. Sign up early, as prices will increase as race day approaches.
Staggered registration rates are as follows:
Adults
- August 1st - 31st Early Bird rate - $40.
- September 1st to October 22nd General Admission rate - $45
- October 23rd - 27th Race Week rate - $65
Keiki running the 5k or 10k
- August 1st - October 22rd General Admission - $25
- October 23rd - 27th Race Week Rate - $30
This year we are going cupless! In an effort to reduce waste, we are including a collapsible, reusable race cup in each registration packet.
Event will run from 6:45 am to noon.
No Pets Allowed
Do not bring pets to the event since there are endangered nēnē geese in the area, no dogs allowed.
10 km Run Race will start on time at: 7:45 am
5 km Run and Walk Race will start on time at: 8:00 am
Keiki Run Start time 9:30 am (Tentative)
A free event. Non-competitive, approximately ¼ mile run around the reservoir. Parents are welcome to join the kids. Start time is dependent on finish times for 5k and 10k runs.
Directions
From Kailua Kona:
Take the Māmalahoa highway (190) north past Makalei golf course. After the 22 mile marker, and just before ascending the bluff to Pu‘u Anahulu, watch for the Forest Reserve entrance on the mauka (uphill) side. Enter through the metal gate and close behind you, take the right-hand fork in the road up ~1.6 miles and follow the signs to the race parking area. Allow ~35 minutes to reach the highway entrance from Kailua Kona, and 45 more minutes to reach race headquarters.
From Waimea:
Take the Māmalahoa highway (190) south past the Big Island Country Club. After the 21 mile marker and just after descending the bluff, watch for the Forest Reserve entrance on the mauka (uphill) side. Enter through the metal gate and close behind you, take the right-hand fork in the road up ~1.6 miles and follow the signs to the race parking area. Allow ~35 minutes to reach the highway entrance from Waimea, and 45 more minutes to reach race headquarters.
Parking
There will be parking in a large mowed field near the race start/finish ~2 miles up from the main highway gate. Bring your race gear and walk down to the registration and start/finish area (about a 5-10 minute walk).
Divisions & Prizes
Age group awards, male and female, in the following divisions (Lots of great door prizes – all participants eligible!):
- 5 km run/walk 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
- 10 km run – 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
Volunteers
If youʻd like to volunteer for this event, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Job3GCsvuyWvvxGD7.
Volunteers are welcome to camp at Pu'uwa'awa'a the night before the event! If you're planning to camp, please indicate this in the form. Along with many thanks, volunteers receive a run t-shirt and will be given out the day of the run however, T-shirts are being ordered in advance.
In order to guarantee your shirt, please sign-up by Sunday August 13th!
If you sign-up after, receiving a shirt will be based on what is left over after runners of the event receive shirts. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
In Partnership With
“The Run for the Dry Forest- Puʻuwaʻawaʻa” is a partnership between the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, the U.S. Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, the Hawai‘i Experimental Tropical Forest, the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, and the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife.