The 2023 Hapalua Hawaii's Half Marathon | The Chase Featuring '21 Olympic Marathon Bronze Meadlist Molly Seidel
The Hapalua, Hawaii's Half Marathon and The Chase
On April 16th, 2023, I had the privilege of covering Olympic Bronze Medalist Molly Seidel's participation in The Hapalua, Hawaii's Half Marathon. The event marked the 13th Hapalua and the 10th edition of The Chase, an exciting race within the race that adds an extra layer of competition and unpredictability. In this unique format, 18 of the top runners in Hawaii, known as Team Hawaii, receive a handicap ranging from 27 to 9 minutes, giving them a head start over the professional athletes. The anticipation was testing my nerves as the day unfolded, and I couldn't wait to witness this thrilling event firsthand. The hotel alarm went off at 2:30am, and I had a half hour to start my walk over to the Waikiki Shell to rendezvous with my motorcycle driver at 3:30am. This was my seventh time covering The Chase, first time on a bike. The race offers a stunning and diverse course, taking runners through some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes, landmarks, and cities in Hawaii.
The anticipation was palpable, and I found myself feeling nervous about my responsibilities and my boyfriend's race, his tenth running as a Team Hawai'i member. As I walked through the streets of Honolulu in the early morning, I witnessed moments of human connection and kindness that set the tone for the day.
Before the race began, in the eerie quiet of the parking lot, I observed the heartfelt interactions between the race director, J.J.Johnson and the local homeless community. The spirit of Aloha was tangible, as J.J. generously provided shirts and hats to those in need. Then in the distance you could hear the rumbling of the 10 or so motorcycles ready to help out the media approaching. We quickly chose our drivers and discussed our assigments.
When we arrived at the statue of Duke Kahanamoku on Kalakaua Ave, the scene was filled with electricity and excitement, the music pumping, the announcer getting the crowd involved, Dr. Barahal's voice echoing off the buildings, then a few moments of quiet with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and the National and State Anthems with Team Hawaii starts interwoven in between. Then it was time for The Chasers to get on their way, with professional American runners Jessa Hanson, and Molly Seidel at 5:57am (3 minute head start) and Matt Llano, and '23 USATF Champion in the Half Marathon Jacob Thomson started at 6:00am with over 6,000 other eager participants.
Shortly thereafter Molly set off in a westward direction. She gave us a look and threw her arms up in recognition. The course then took us along the picturesque oceanside lanes of Ala Moana Blvd, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Waikiki Beach.
As the sun rose, I captured Molly's performance, witnessing her determination and focus despite coming back from an injury. While her average pace of 5:58 per mile for the half marathon was slower than her '21 Olympic marathon pace of 5:38, her fluid and efficient running style remained a sight to behold.
As Molly continued west on Ala Moana Blvd, she entered the unbelievably quiet awakening city of Honolulu. Weaving through the empty corridors of the tall buildings then through the historic Chinatown district, showcasing its unique cultural charm juxtaposed to the recently boarded-up storefronts. Molly then swept past the majestic Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States.
At the eight-mile mark, Jacob Thomson passed Molly, who responded by urging him to "go get her," referring to teammate Jessa. As he ascended, the course showcased the stunning contrast of the ocean and the mountains. as he continued around Diamond Head, a famous volcanic cone and iconic Hawaiian landmark.
From there, Jacob powered eastward up Monsarrat Ave towards Kapiolani Community College. As he ascended, he first passed three men from Team Hawaii, and caught up with Chaser Jessa Hanson. As he navigated the narrowing course, he caught up with several more men and women from Team Hawaii participating in The Chase, and stormed down the remaining 800 meters to the finish after passing the fountain at Kapiolani Park.
AWARDS
The Hapalua concluded with a big win for Team Hawaii, who swept the top seven places and claimed the win after seven years. Zachary Lee (14-minute handicap) secured a personal best of 1:16:09 and won $3,000, but as a winner, he can no longer be a part of Team Hawaii. Davis Ka'ahanui , aspiring pro triathlete (9 min. handicap) finished the course in 1:11:48, winning $2,000, and Michael Chin (12 min. handicap) took third in a time of 1:14:55, earning $1,000. Chaser Jacob Thomson came in eighth, with a time of 1:04:57. Full Chase Results
EPIC MOLLY SEIDEL INTERVIEW
Upon crossing the finish line, Molly signed photos we brought and agreed to an interview that Matt had prepared for the week before, after we had been in contact with her agent/coach since the previous day. As we listened to her thoughtful responses once away from the crowd, and her philosophy on running, it became clear that her career as a professional runner is driven by a pure joy of the sport. Observing Molly's passion for running and her openness to life's experiences left me with a deeper understanding of the true essence of running.
Throughout the journey, runners were treated to a vivid display of Hawaii's natural beauty, historic landmarks, and urban landscapes, making the Hapalua Hawaii's Half Marathon an unforgettable experience. The outcome of The Chase is never certain, as no one knows who will cross the finish line first. The Chase brings together the best runners from Hawaii and around the world, creating an exhilarating and unforgettable racing experience for both participants and spectators.
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