This past Sunday we ran in the Pineapple Winter Classic, a 5K run with obstacles in Seattle's Magnuson Park that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What separates this from just any other run for charity? People dress up in Hawaiian-themed costumes! We saw face-painted warriors, hula girls and plenty of hibiscus-inspired teamware.
Our team name was "Mele Kalikimaka," (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) and we wore bright red shirts with our team name and Santa hats.
Some of the obstacles proved to be quite challenging, including ducking down into barrels, scaling walls and the mighty monkey bars that proved to require intense upper body strength.
According to the WPC website, turnout doubled from last year. We had a blast, and when times got tough we'd just remind ourselves of the luau and beer garden near the finish line.
Our friends Jerry and Warren greeted us as we made our way to the final leg, and we all enjoyed a refreshing brew in the beer garden. An entire hangar had been convereted to a luau setting, complete with real sand, a volleyball net and a stage where entertainers performed traditional Hawaiian music. Our friend Gary Medeiros was one of them!
Because of our late start-time (12:40), there wasn't much in the way of food left by the time we hit the buffet line. However, we were able to scarf down some noodles and salad before hoofing it back to our car.
The weather was gorgeous, making the run all the more enjoyable. Running with family for a great cause, with the rewards of Hawaiian culture? Not too many better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Aloha!
