Jingle Bell Beach Run Brings Holiday Spirit to Kailua-Kona

The 17th Annual Jingle Bell Beach Run took place on December 3, 2023, in Kailua-Kona, transforming the Coconut Grove Marketplace into a festive celebration of community and holiday spirit. The event attracted 730 participants, many clad in vibrant Christmas attire, to join the 5K run/walk along Alii Drive, celebrating the joy of the season.

Participants of all ages brought their holiday cheer, donning Santa hats, elf ears, and creative costumes as they navigated through Historic Kailua Village. Spectators lined the course, cheering for friends and family members, making the event a lively parade of Christmas spirit. Holualoa’s Jon Kunitake, a dedicated participant who has run every Jingle Bell Beach Run since its inception in 2005, expressed his love for the event, stating, “The Jingle Bell Beach Run brings our entire community together and everyone is smiling, from the little kids to the older folks like me.”

As the race announcer, Eddie-O, counted down to the 7:30 a.m. start, participants took their positions. The lead runners surged ahead, while many others enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Archer Ankrum, an 18-year-old from Holualoa, captured his first JBBR title with an impressive time of 16 minutes and 46 seconds, achieving a pace of 5:25 per mile. With this victory, Ankrum also made history as the youngest overall winner of the event.

“I had a blast and it was fun to see everyone in their costumes,” Ankrum remarked. Having participated in the race before, he felt prepared and excited to compete, especially after spending months at Columbia University in New York City. “I always run this event with my family, so it was special to do this with them and see other people from high school.”

Following Ankrum in the men’s division were James Escobar from Kailua-Kona, who finished with a time of 17:29, and Brooklyn’s Cole Johnson, who took third place at 18:00. In the women’s division, Selma Nordigarden from Canada earned her first JBBR title, crossing the finish line at 19:14. Close behind were local runners Elisa Childers from Kealakehe and Tiffany Ravaglia from Hawaii Preparatory Academy, who finished in 19:47 and 20:02, respectively.

Among the highlights of the morning was the Santa’s Keiki Dash, which provided children aged six and under with their own race on a specially designed sand course, much to the delight of onlookers. The Christmas Costume Contest added an extra layer of excitement, with participants showcasing a range of imaginative outfits from coordinated elf groups to characters from the beloved film, “A Christmas Story.”

This year’s Jingle Bell Beach Run also continued its tradition of supporting local non-profit organizations, including PATH (People for Active Transportation Hawaii) and the Kiwanis Club of Kailua-Kona. The event recognized Kevin Lannen as the 2023 “Volunteer of the Year” with the “Outstanding Community Service Award.” This award, created in 2010, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Kona community through their volunteer work.

For many participants, the Jingle Bell Beach Run serves as a cherished holiday tradition, reinforcing the sense of community and celebration during the festive season. With miles measured not just in distance but in the connections made, this event continues to bring people together in the spirit of Christmas.