BIG ISLAND RUNNING COMPANY
HILO, HAWAII
As you visit the biggest city on the
Big Island of Hawaii you may notice that we are pretty short on chain stores
and restaurants. Most of us like it that way. We have pride in our local shops
and I personally try to support them when I can. Which is why when The Big
Island Running Company came to our side of the island, many were cheering and
welcomed it with open arms. It’s hard to not notice all the runners you see throughout
the city wherever you happen to drive. Whether it’s around the circle of
the Japanese Gardens or down past the beaches in Keaukaha, it’s evident that
this is a town full of runners.
The Big island Running Company store
officially opened in Hilo on August 2014 on Hilo’s beautiful Bayfront. It sits
well with all of the rest of the local shops and diners. It’s prime location
gives its biweekly running group the opportunity to spend most of the time
running alongside Hilo bay and through the Japanese gardens, not a route
commonly found by most running groups.
Hilo’s BIRC store is proud to boast
that they are the only running specialty store on this side of the island. Upon
visiting, you won’t be met with your average high school worker, but
selective staff that thoroughly knows the sport of running and the product(s).
The store manager, Cary Aurand, has run between 15-25 half marathons as well as
4 marathons. She has been running since high school and transferred from the
Kona side after working alongside the main store managers. Her energy and
enthusiasm on race day is hard to match.
Dennis Blinn (AKA DJ) is quite the
local running celebrity who seems to be known by everyone. It’s hard to run
with him and not have him wave at 5-10 different people every time. He’s present
at every local race and has an extensive running background which consists of
31 years of running including 113 marathons and ultra-races. You’ll definitely
be greeted with a hearty hello and great service any time you walk in.
Alan Ryan is the newest addition to
Hilo’s crew. He’s quickly learning the store features but don’t let his strong,
silent personality throw you off. The 7 time Boston Marathon runner and
Assistant Cross Country coach knows the ins and outs of racing and speed work.
His knowledge is a great asset to the store and its future customers.
It’s nice to know you can go somewhere,
where there is product knowledge, race education, as well as local race
knowledge is evident. The store is a friendly and welcoming environment that
caters to the running enthusiast.
BIRC has an array of products that
would suit many runners. From running gels, Hydroflasks, to hats and socks. They have attire for both women and men. The
Hilo Big Island Running Company has something for everyone and always seems to
be getting in new product whether local or brand name.
If it's a new shoe you're looking for, the store has the setup to let you try on a new pair of shoes and test it out. They can also check your running gait, on their treadmill/computer program in the back of the store. This gives you an opportunity to test the shoe out without having to weave in and out of tourists on the sidewalk.
The store has group runs twice a
week. We usually run anywhere from 1-5 miles (depending on what you want), has a very easy route, and start/finish at the store. We all have an assortment of
paces and there is almost always someone to run alongside with.
Wednesday- 5:00pm
Saturday - 6:30am
I’m very excited to have found this
store and the people associated with it. Whenever I have errands to run on the Bayfront
I wander in, to check out the products, and say hello. The store, and people,
benefit the community, promote health and fitness, and offer product once
unavailable to the area.
COME RUN WITH US!
Website and Hours
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