Run for Hops 5K and 10K Postponed to April 11 Due to Storm Threat

Threatening skies over West Hawaii have pushed the 18th Annual Run for Hops 5K and 10K out of its mid-March slot. Race director Kelly Hudik announced the postponement of the event, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 14, citing an approaching Kona low and the forecast of thunderstorms and hazardous conditions along the course.

"Unfortunately, we had to make the tough decision to postpone this weekend's Run for Hops race," Hudik said. "With the threat of thunderstorms forecasted for Saturday, we couldn't risk the safety of our athletes, volunteers and participants so we made the decision to reschedule the event."

The popular run, which draws several hundred participants to the BMW of Hawai'i venue in Kailua-Kona, will now take place Saturday, April 11, 2026. Start times remain unchanged: the 10K goes off at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K beginning five minutes later at 7:35 a.m. The 31st Annual Kona Brewers Festival, which the run traditionally precedes, was also rescheduled to April 4, further solidifying the case for pushing the race to April 11.

All currently registered participants will be automatically transferred to the new date. Organizers were firm on one policy point: no refunds will be issued.

For runners who cannot make April 11 or simply want to collect their gear ahead of time, an early packet pickup is scheduled for Friday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Big Island Running Company. Additional pickup details specific to the April 11 race day will be sent to participants by email.

Registration remains capped at 600 participants, with the $40 entry fee covering a commemorative T-shirt, an award ceremony, and beer tasting with nibbles after the race. Those looking to register can do so through the event page at konabrewersfestival.com/run.html.

Presented by People for Active Transportation Hawaii (PATH) and BMW of Hawai'i, the Run for Hops benefits PATH's bike education programming and broader efforts to make Hawai'i Island's roads safer, as well as nonprofits serving the island's youth, culture, and environment.