Runner Billy Barnett earned the nickname “The Ghost” for what he did after crossing the finish line a few years ago, but the moniker just as easily describes what he does at the start of races. He quickly disappears there, too.
Barnett played hometown hero Saturday for the fifth time at Volcano, winning the half-marathon at the Rain Forest Runs for the fourth consecutive year with a victory that was as simple as rolling out of bed.
“It’s pretty cool that I can just walk to the race,” the 31-year-old said. “No (stretching). Just drink some coffee and wipe some sleep out of my eyes.”
While Barnett finished in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 49 seconds – a clean 6-minute-per-mile pace – a pair of his running buddies, Kailua-Kona’s Kenneth Stover (1:22:08) and Hilo’s Michael Sullivan (1:22:40) came in second and third, respectively.
They’ve beaten Barnett in races before, but never on his home course.
“They like to talk a little friendly trash talk,” Barnett said. “They keep the pressure on me.”
Though it wasn’t enough to make a difference. Barnett said his personal-best in the half-marathon is 1:16:00. Too break that, he said he’d need more of challenge from the competition.
“Maybe if somebody was pressing me or if I was trying to chase someone,” he said.
Honolulu’s Kathleen O’Neil (1:23:28) was fourth and repeated as women’s champion.
Volcano’s Noe McMahon was the second wahine in 1:37:36, getting welcome encouragement from a fellow runner as the two were traversing a hill.
“It’s just great to get to meet new people,” McMahon said
After running in the relative cool, McMahon got in her car and headed to the heat in Keaau to help coach the Hilo cross-country team at the Canefire Conditioner.
