This past February, Hawai‘i’s fitness community gathered to compete in a grueling seven-mile course through Kona Coffee and Tea’s coffee fields.
The event is aptly called “Uphill Battle.” The course is designed to simulate the toll of trekking with heavy packs at high altitudes in the Himalayas. A blend of endurance and strength training makes this Hawai‘i's most iconic functional fitness event.
Athletes from every corner of the island—and the mainland—traveled to participate in this landmark 10th anniversary. Founders Tiger Hill and Blake Casteel inaugurated the event following their first trek. “We had a revelation that we're maybe not as in shape as we thought we were while struggling at 11,000 feet,” Hill said.
Beyond the physical challenge, Uphill Battle is designed to invite participants into a global investment. Upon crossing the finish line, the event leaders extend a formal invitation to join a trekking team, recruiting local athletes to invest their strength into some of the most demanding humanitarian needs in the world.
Event coordinator Jared Smith works among isolated Himalayan villages. These communities remain disconnected from modern civilization, lacking access to clean water, healthcare and basic necessities. Trekking teams bridge this gap, delivering vital humanitarian aid and a message of eternal hope.
“For athletes, one of the greatest things we can do is establish goals for ourselves, work really hard and finish the competition. But there's something profoundly powerful about pairing that discipline with giving somebody the Gospel for the first time,” Smith said. “You train harder knowing there's people waiting across the globe waiting for you to bring them hope.”
Get involved with the non-profit at HawaiiFitnessFoundation.com.
“You train harder knowing there's people waiting across the globe waiting for you to bring them hope.” —Jared Smith.