Summer Strength Training
A Unique BC Endurance Program Focused on Off-Road Training and Physical Conditioning
The Program
Our unique summer program focuses on building physical and mental strength, by running hilly courses, grassy parks, and O‘ahu’s breathtaking mountain and coastal trails. We also take time during every workout to practice the use of sturdy rubber bands to develop core and upper body strength.
The Weeknight Workouts
We meet in several Honolulu locations on Monday and Wednesday evenings, meeting at 5:30 p.m. Weeknight workouts build leg strength on our hilly island uplands and on soft, grassy surfaces in community parks.
Upper Body Strengthening
We add 30 minutes during summer workouts to build upper body strength, using sturdy rubber bands. Our goal is to establish a strength-building regimen to our year-round program, through mutual support and disciplined exercise.
Spectacular Trails
We will meet every Saturday Morning (starting with the least difficult on May 31) for workouts on O‘ahu’s scenic forest and coastal trails. The 10 routes starting on May 31 (see below) have been vetted by years of program experience. We believe they are the most runnable, beautiful and challenging of O‘ahu’s trail venues.
The Trails
We host fourteen Saturday morning runs from early May to early August. These are the “Crown Jewels” of O‘ahu’s spectacular trail venues. Note: the drop-in fee is $15. Please contact Brian at 808-391-8598 for time and location details.
Moanalua Valley Trail
This is a super highway trail through a quiet valley on gentle slopes with easy footing, perfect for beginners. See our calendar for time and location details.
Manoa Falls Trail
The state has made this trail easy to negotiate, even for tourists. See our calendar for time and location details.
Makapu'u Lighthouse Trails (access road or tricky trail)
Meet at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Makapu’u Lighthouse Road (the meeting place is approximately 2 miles past the Halona Blow Hole). Some of us will hike the seldom-used cliff trail above Makapu’u Beach Park to the top of the hill overlooking the lighthouse. Note: this route isn’t the one that most tourists and residents use to access the lighthouse lookout. Some will do the road, some the trail. On our way down, some of us will take a detour, making our way to the ocean below the lighthouse on another seldom used trail. I guarantee, you’ve never done this route before.
Diamond Head Lookout Trail
Another major tourist attraction, for good reason: it fetures one of the most scenic views of Oahu’s South Shore and the moutains backdropping Honolulu. See our calendar for time and location details.
Ualaka‘a Trail (Round Top)
The Ualakaa Trail is a perfect beginner venue and the best place for an orientation to the Honolulu Mauka (Tantalus) Trail System. We teach beginners how to run, jog, or walk on rooty, rocky, muddy, and hilly trails, without slipping, sliding, or falling.
Aiea Loop Trail (Aiea)
Also, a beginner venue, Aiea is a superhighway with a spectacular view of the H-3 freeway winding through the upper reaches of Halawa Valley. We traditionally share a potluck brunch in a quaint wooden pavilion after this workout.
Pu‘u Ohi‘a Trail and Kalawahine Trails (Tantalus)
Another orientation to the most beautiful and scenic trails in the Mt. Tantalus trail system. The Kalawahine Trail, with its views of downtown Honolulu past Pearl Harbor to the Ewa plain and the Waianae Mountains, is only minutes from downtown Honolulu and accessible to only those “in the know.”
Moleka/Manoa Cliffs Trails (Tantalus)
This trail is an extension of our week-1 trail on Round Top, with scenic views into Manoa Valley, across to Waiahila Ridge (Saint Louis Heights), and rearward to Manoa Falls blasting downward through a misty rain.
Ka‘ena Point Trail (Mokule‘ia)
A change of pace, Kaena Point is one of three trail venues we do that’s out in the open and under the sun, instead of a forest canopy. You’ll see albatross nesting in their protected areas, and huge monk seals lazing in the tide pools near the point.
Shark’s Fun Run (Kailua)
The Kailua Beach Shark Chase is the only race in the BC Endurance Summer Strength program. By this point in our training on grassy park venues will have prepared you for a 4-mile fun-run on the scenic sandy crescent of Kailua Beach at high tide.
Maunawili Trail (from the Pali Hwy)
The Maunawili Trail is a man-made, super highway venue from the Pali Highway hairpin turn to Waimalano, nine miles away. From year to year, the weather changes and so does the venue, from dry and fast to wet and slow. Yet the views from the bottom edges of the sheer windward-facing cliffs of the Ko‘olau Mountain range remain awe inspiring (see Stacy Zemik’s video at the bottom of this page).
Maunawili Trail (from Waimanalo)
Rising from sea level to 900 feet during the first 2 miles, this out-and-back run with waterfalls, mountain apple orchards, and spectacular views of Mount Olomana must be seen and experienced to know the hidden beauty of Hawai‘i.
Koko Head (Hawai‘i Kai)
This venue overlooks Hanauma Bay and shouldn’t be confused with Koko Crater, with its tram-track stairs popular with local fitness-buff s. The hike to the Koko Head summit at sunrise offers great views of Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, and (on clear days) Maui. In the other direction, you’ll see Diamond Head and Waikiki in the distance, along with a stunning vista of the East O’ahu coastline and the Ko’olau Mountains as a backdrop.
Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail
This is our longest, toughest trail venue, alternating from season to season with the similar Kuli’ou’ou and Wiliwili Nui Ridge trails. They each rise to the summit of the Ko‘olau Mountains, with views of Rabbit and Turtle Islands in one direction, Waimanalo far below, and the Windward O‘ahu coast to Cinaman’s Hat in the distance. Every resident should have this experience.
This video from Stacy Zembik documents one of our summer 2024 trails from the Pali Highway to Maunawili.