Jingle Rock Run

Brought the whole family to do the Jingle Rock Run and we all had a blast. Fun, festive, high energy! Thanks to Unilocal for two comp entries so all I had to do was add the kiddos, and that was with an additional Unilocal discount!
The weather was fantastic, the christmas lights were sparkling. There was a great spread of runners and walkers, so everyone seemed to fit in. The run route was great, going from Kakaako, through Chinatown/​Downtown.
My kids both finished the race (ages 6 and 8) and loved the medals they received. They both asked what race they can run next! All-​in-​all a great family experience all for a great cause!

Jingle Rock Run was also the most laid back 5K I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending (laid back competition-​wise — Christmas spirit was out in full force!). I actually had no idea that it was timed until the end since there were many, many casual strollers/​kids in strollers. And dogs, decked out to the nines! I had brought my hapai sis with me, so the easy pace was a good thing. More walking, less running! More smiles, less grunts of agony!
Due to an oversight on my part, we almost missed the packet pick-​up. This is totally not a reflection on the run itself, which is well organized. (Note to self: read dates and times carefully, doh.) The route itself was clearly marked (or cone-​d), and there were pockets of entertainment scattered throughout. And what a beautiful night to view the Honolulu City Lights! A bummer though was seeing the poor kiddos who were crying due to tiredness. Perhaps opt for the keiki run instead or bring a wagon…
Thanks for the free tickets this year, Unilocal!My sister and I decided that this needed to be an annual Thing for us, and we’re looking forward to supporting the run!

My first 5k ever. I’m definitely not a runner… and it wasn’t that bad.
Location wise, it wasn’t bad… Start and end was by the park located near Cooke street, a lot of street parking. I ended up parking near the School of Medicine and walked a couple blocks.
The event was well organized. There were good booths, food trucks (so much for that 3 mile exercise haha), things to eat right after the run, and a lot of water. They also gave us metals after the run.
It was fun to see so many people (families, friends, kids, and pets too!) dressed up and laughing. It didn’t start on time, but it didn’t matter that much.
Might go next year.

First Jingle Rock Run… and it was awesome! It’s been awhile since I did a runathon…
Thank you Unilocal for the free slots for this event! I felt like I worked out, I had fun, and I was able to help kids (Make a Wish foundation) raise money from this event. I got some freebies, some food, and coupons. I love to be a Wish Elf again next year!

Love the course! Very flat, and different. I will definitely return to run in again. Big event, with lots off food and water. This event will definitely get bigger as the years go by.

Fabulous, festive event. Our entire family participated to support friends and family who have battled cancer. We will definitely do it again!

fun walk/​run. I wish I could’ve run this one, but I promised my mom i’d walk with her. took us 55 minutes to walk 3 miles. the course was well marked and water stations were staffed with friendly and cheerful volunteers. no water before the race, but lots afterwards and some snacks too. lots of strollers and lots of dogs! great fun for the whole family! but make sure your family can handle a 5k (3 miles). saw some really hot and tired kids and dogs out there. you start and finish in the same place, and parking was okay since we went early (before the Kakaako night market opened). after the race we went to eat dinner at the night market a couple of blocks away. used the coupon on our number/​bib to get $ 5 off! woo! dinner for 5 bucks is always awesome! the shirts were a nice festive bright green and the number/​bib came with jingle bells on each safety pin.
i’d do this run again next year, but maybe run it instead of walking!

What an experience for my first 5K! Loved that the race started and finished in Kakaako, and took us through Chinatown and Downtown, especially since the City Lights are up at this time of year.
What I love more is how this event is for a great cause — Make-​a-​Wish Hawaii — and that all proceeds went toward that cause! Everyone seemed aware and united — saw quite a few people wearing the names of children they were supporting. Lots of families participated, including kids and dogs. It was a friendly, casual and festive vibe, with no high pressure to compete or finish early.
I appreciated the refreshment stations posted along and at the end of the course, as well as the enthusiastic volunteers who cheered on everyone, runners AND walkers!
The race packet had quite a bit of food coupons, including a wristband for two free Jack in the Box tacos, and a $ 5 coupon at Honolulu Night Market food vendors. It also came with not one but two vouchers, each good for a free week of cycling classes at Honolulu Holo! I think I know what I’m doing in the new year…

This was my first 5k ever, and what a great way to start!
The event was very well-​organized and all the staff and volunteers were super helpful. My boyfriend and I waited til race day to pick up our packets and we were helped before we even waited in line five minutes.
Fun packets! The numbers said «Wish Elf» on them and were green and red. The shirts were cute and I changed into mine for the run to match my elf hat. Also inside were coupons for Night Market food vendors, Jack in the Box, Jamba Juice, and Holoholo cycling studio, as well as some other handouts. There was also four jingle bells with safety pins to attach your number. I purposely avoided wearing my own bells because I thought it would drive me crazy but I didn’t even notice these jingling while I ran at all.
The weather was awesome and it was such a fun group of people and so family friendly! There were lots of strollers decorated like Santa’s sleighs, kids, dogs, and creative costumes. I spotted a giant gift bag, gift box, Santas, and even Eddie in his bathrobe and hat from my favorite Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation.
There were two stops all the way for Gatorade and water. There were groups of volunteers along the way also cheering us on. Live music was provided at certain parts of the race as well. I loved the marching band in the beginning. A great way to start a run!
As you finished the race, an announcer called your name and I was happily surprised when he pronounced my name correctly! There was AMAZING food to munch on after the race and cold waters and Gatorade. I went straight for the chocolate walnut brownie squares and the PURPLE Gatorade, my faves. After the race, we headed over to Night Market to get food with our $ 5 off coupons from Paul’s Poppers and Pop Pop Donuts.
I would definitely recommend this race to EVERYONE! Especially anyone who’s never run a 5k before, this is a really fun and exciting one!

Unilocal 365 Challenge x 2 #253/​365
*jingle, jingle, jingle!!!*
What is the best way to wrap up 2013 with a big, happy festive AROO? The Jingle Rock Run!
If you did not sign up, you missed out because this was a guaranteed race event that would have left you with warm fuzzies of inspiration and breaking free from any scrooge-​like tendencies.
Let me encourage and inspire YOU (yeah, YOU, Mr/​Ms. Unilocaler) if you love participating in events that leaves you sweaty, accomplished, generous and just full of love… Jingle Rock Run from Make-​a-​Wish Hawaii is a MUST-​DO for you to sign up for their upcoming annual Jingle Rock 5k run.
Hands down to Make-​A-​Wish Hawaii because they pulled off one of the best running events for 2013 especially since this is their first annual run! The Jingle Rock Run was well organized, energetic, and just a blessing not just to me but I am sure to everyone that participated.
I first heard of this event from make-​a-​wish booth at the Unilocal Karma-​Ball, which I signed up because I wanted their t-​shirt. However, it was their enthusiasm to give to a great cause that also prompted me to register not only husband but my daughter, grandson and myself too!
This past Thursday before the event, I picked up our packets at Pacific Honda. The swag in the bag was saaa-​weeeeet because there was a stress ball from Capitol One, spiral shoelaces, your race Bib with a detached coupon for $ 5.00 off any food vendor at Honolulu Night Market (DEAL!), coupons from Jack in the Box (I thought of Emi and her taco fetish), Jamba Juice and other businesses. Each participant was also given four jingle bells with the safety pins to attach to your race bib. You also had the option for stickers to place on your shirt if you were running in memory or in honor of someone, (I decided to run for lupus because my mommy has lupus).
The Dealio of the Jingle Rock Run
* Family-​oriented event! Run with your family, pets, friends, co-​workers and strangers! Jogging strollers and wagons were welcomed! (I love that they had signs for the line-​up «Runners» «Strollers» «Walkers (*coughwalkingdeadcough* LOL)
* 5k (3 mile run) that will have you jingling (walking, running, sprinting, skipping) from Kaka’ako down through Nimitz up River to South King all the way back to Kaka’ako
* You can either use the shirt from the race packet, which I decided to make it to a muscle t-​shirt but you are also encouraged to dress up and show your Christmas spirit with bells, stripes, santa hats, headbands of antlers, elves, skirts, etc. (there was even someone dressed as a decorated gift box and someone dressed up their great dane)
* Street parking or public parking garages (I chose the latter)
* Booths from BOCA, Unilocal,Spartan Race, and other vendors
* Entertainment throughout the course from beginning to end
* Water, Gatorade and First Aid Station along the route
* Cheering and enthusiastic volunteers from your make-​a-​wish ohana, Hawaii community and HPD
* At the finish line, the MC was announcing all who crossed the finish line! Love it!
* Free bottle of water and post-​run refreshments (soft, sweet bread rolls, power bars, grapes, oranges and bananas) are offered at the finish line
* Award ceremony for the top finishers (I placed in the 50 within my age group… hahahah)
As I shared in the beginning of this review, this was a very well organized, energetic and inspiring event. If I could be like Ralphie’s teacher in «The Christmas Story» writing A+ across the chalkboard, I would but I will just say a BIG THANK YOU to Make-​A-​Wish Hawaii and their sponsors who made the first annual Jingle Rock Run Event happen because this race event deserves more than five stars.
Looking forward to the second Annual Jingle Rock Run!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

What an awesome event this was!
The place/​starting line was jam packed with race participants dressed in the green and red shirts. Everyone was happy and joyful or in the aloha spirit. Some people came dressed up in costume. There was a runner dressed as a Christmas present and a few in elves suits. Pets were dressed up too. Talk about the Christmas spirit huh? I wanted to go all out and dress up as Santa with the whole suit and all but maybe I will do that next year.
As for the race, It was fun seeing everyone running or walking their way for a great cause. The volunteer workers were awesome, they supported every runner and walker with motivation. The live band that was playing in the gazebo at Restaurant Row was supporting too. It was pretty cool to hear my name being called on the speakers at the finishing line.
After the race, there were a few refreshments, from fruits and bread to water and gatorade. In every race packet there were a few coupons and another on your tag for the Honolulu Night Market aka the after party!
If they do throw another jingle rock run event next year, I’m all in!
Thank you Unilocal for this great opportunity and experience.

I was super excited to participate in Make-​A-​Wish Hawaii’s first Jingle Rock Run!
All proceeds went to make a wish foundation. This was a festive 5k full of Holiday cheer and spirit~! Lots and lots of participants were dressed up in all kinds of holiday themed attire.
The Jingle Rock Run took place at Mother Waldren Park. Runners and walkers showed off their holiday spirit through Kaka’ako and Downtown. Then participants were encouraged to check out the Honolulu Night Market.
I really loved all the live entertainment that was set up at different locations on our running route. I think my favorite one was the first live band by restaurant row. They were rocking out and I loved it!
After the run, you are rewarded with ice-​cold water bottles and some snacks. For snacks they had a variety pastries, granola bars, and some fresh fruits.
Great job Make-​A-​Wish Hawaii! Cant wait to do this again next year: D

Are you a Scrooge? Not feeling the spirit of Christmas or not into the holiday season? Make-​A-​Wish Hawaii’s Jingle Rock Run is sure to change that!
Pre-​Run:
Packets were available for pick up at Pacific Honda for those who pre-​registered. The run packet included your number, 4 jingle bells, spiral/​bungee-​type shoelaces, and a ton of coupons. There were coupons from Jamba Juice, Jack in the Box and a few other places. The best coupon, in my opinion, was the $ 5 off a plate at the Honolulu Night Market which was attached right onto the number tag to wear for the run.
Basics:
–5k/​3 mile run
–Walk, run or jog your way through Kaka’ako
–Dressing up in festive Christmas outfits and accessories is highly recommended; jingle bells are included in sign up packet
–Free entertainment at the start, end and throughout the race
–Free water and refreshments after the run
–Proceeds went to the Make-​A-​Wish Foundation
Post-​Run:
Trash cans served as water coolers and there were some yummy refreshments after the run, including bananas, sweet bread, grapes and power bars. They also had an awards ceremony, music and entertainment at the Molther Waldron Park where the run started.
This event is fun for the whole family-​including pets! I loved that everyone was dressed up in some type of festive outfit or wearing festive accessories. Costumes included elf shoes, reindeer ears, Santa hats, etc. dogs were dressed up too! There were so many of them and they were all just too adorable. Participants got pretty crafty and creative… someone turned their kid’s wagon into a sleigh and a guy put a gift-​wrapped box over his body while running. Everyone looked great!
This event was a ton of fun and it was for a really great cause so I hope they continue it because I’m looking forward to doing it again next year!