Volcano Runs in Volcano, Hawaii County, United States | Running

Welcome to the Volcano Runs, held at the Volcano Art Center Hawaii, United States.
The annual Kilauea Volcano Runs started in 1983, when park ranger Dan Sholly of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park wanted to toughen up his staff by training them to run the back country. Now the Volcano Art Center, Volcano Village, welcomes over 1,000 participants from all over the world in what has become the largest trail run in Hawai'i state. Many runners return year after year to scramble over cooled lava fields, climb up and down crater walls, and pass through the tropical rain forest in the panoramic setting of Volcano Village, Kilauea.
This event not only allows athletes from near and far a chance to run (and walk) in a spectacular volcanic landscape but is also a major yearly fund raising event. Also known as "Athletes for the Arts," the event benefits the many arts, cultural, and educational programs offered by the nonprofit Volcano Art Center, Volcano Village. Artists who exhibit at the Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawaii, donate artwork as prizes for the top finishers. Refreshments, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and a great sense of accomplishment and camaraderie are shared by participants, volunteers, family, and friends.
Four separate events make up the Kilauea Volcano Runs. The events take place mostly on lava or dirt trails, rather than pavement. For the hardy, the 26.2 mile Volcano Marathon is known as one of the "world's toughest measured marathon." The Rim Run is a 10 mile course encircling the caldera of Kilauea. The 5 mile Kilauea Caldera Run and the 5 mile, non-competitive Kilauea Caldera Walk take participants across the caldera floor.