Admin note: You must beat the current fastest time in your category to submit an FKT. Any self-supported time must faster than the current best unsupported time in that category. Many people successfully complete this. If you come up short of the FKT feel free to leave a comment about your effort with your time.
Often done as a relay by sane humans, the circumnavigation of Oahu is a rite of passage to Oahu ultra runners. 135 miles, mostly on roads, sidewalks, and bike paths.
By the late 1970s Hawaii had a greater concentration of runners than any other state. From 1968 to 2005, teams of seven competed in the Oahu Perimeter Relay. By 1976 there were almost 600 runners competing in the relay, with 7 person teams running times in the 12 to 13 hour range. It was at the award ceremonies of the 1977 Perimeter Relay that John Collins challenged those in attendance to compete in the first Ironman, with a 112 mile bike leg that roughly matched the Around Oahu Bike race (which cut off the far western section of the running relay). In any case, running and biking around Oahu has decades of history! Check out this podcast from Davey Crocket for more information on the Perimeter Relay.
The Oahu Perimeter Relay came to an end in 2006 due to safety concerns. Increased traffic and expensive police support were an issue but ultimately the State Department of Transportation would no longer approve the permit. For at least one year apparently, the Hawaii Ultra Running Team (HURT) loosely organized a group relay.
The route appears to be generally agreed upon, with a few important notes. There are certainly roads that go a little closer to the ocean, but most of these roads are small residential loops that would seem somewhat contrived. The standard route generally follows the main perimeter road and apparently the route of the Oahu Perimeter Relay when it was discontinued. The current supported record holder, Alyssa Clark, added the outer trail at Ka’Ena Point State Park. This is indeed closer to being the true perimeter of the island, but the goal may be to follow the original route of the Oahu Perimeter Relay. Unfortunately the route map on their website doesn’t appear to work anymore. There is a railroad grade and gravel road between Kapolei and Aulani Disney Resort that is often used by runners. There are signs however that indicate that this may be off limits, although those signs may just be referring to the railroad grade or just to vehicles. More research is likely needed.
There is always some danger when running alongside a road, especially after being awake for more than a day. Please be safe and use the standard precautions: bright clothes, lights, no noise cancelling headphones, etc. There is also a stretch on the southwest side of the island where the shoulder of the road is eroding into the ocean
If you have any other information on this route or its history, please let us know.
