Steve Villiger is an ultrarunner from Hawaii who has completed multiple marathons and ultras, including the grueling HURT 100.  Steve was one of ten runners to participate in the inaugural Kilimanjaro Stage Run in October 2012.

“For Steve the world is his playground and he often expressed his enthusiasm with words like ‘awesome’ and ‘rad’ along with a generous helping of the “hang loose” sign from Hawaii!”  says fellow KSR 2012 runner Jake Zmrhal.

Tell us about yourself. When did you start running?

I started running on the beach when I was a teenager. At the time, I never really thought of myself as a “runner”. It was just something fun to do, and it certainly seemed to help out my overall fitness level. When I moved to Hawaii in the early ’80’s, I continued my routine of running the beach several times a week, because it really seemed to help my breath control and endurance for the Ocean sports that I was involved with, primarily surfing and windsurfing.  In 1990, on a whim, I decided that I would run the Honolulu Marathon. This was definitely going to be a one time thing. There’s no way that I’d want to do this again. I asked my Dad, who was quite a marathon runner himself, for some training tips, and got myself physically and mentally prepared, still certain that there was no way that I’d ever try this again. I managed to finish the race in 3 hr 52 min, and could barely walk for the next three days! When I could finally walk without too much struggling, I started to think, “Hmm, I wonder if I trained harder…maybe next year…”. Little did I know that this was only the beginning of my running career. Fast forward…After 17 marathon finishes, I finally decided that this was enough. I’d run enough marathons, and I didn’t need to prove anything to myself or anyone else. I figured I’d just go back to running short distances, maybe 10K at the most. But then a buddy and I started talking about Ultras. And so I thought, “Well, I’m done with marathons, but maybe I’ll just run one ultra. Just one. Definitely not more than one. And then I’ll be done with long distance stuff.” Well, you might guess how that turned out. Now I’ve completed two 100 milers, a handful of 100-Ks, and a bunch of 50K+ races. But, as I said before, I’m done with distance running.

How did you learn about Simon Mtuy’s Kilimanjaro Stage Run?

In 2004, Simon was visiting Oahu and happened to be staying in a home right next door to my house. My neighbor introduced us and we instantly became very good friends. While Simon was here, we did some trail running and spent a bunch of time in the Ocean riding waves on a jet-ski and checking out the dolphins. Simon was training for Western States 100 at the time. I had heard about WS100 but really didn’t know much about it. I was fascinated (and terrified) by his stories about the race! I went to TZ to climb Kili with Simon in July of 2005. I fell in love with Tanzania! It’s such an amazing place. In 2010, Simon invited me to come over and scout some trails on the slopes of Kilimanjaro for a stage run that he was thinking about organizing. So off I went. I met Tim Leinbach on this trip, who is a great guy. He and I have also become good friends.  It was an amazing adventure. We had a blast. So in 2010, when Simon and Tim told me that they were going to do the first Kilimanjaro Stage Run in October, I knew that I had to be there. I’ve now been to Tanzania 4 times and counting. Every time it’s a whole new experience.

The Kilimanjaro stage run is an event for which you have to have experience with ultra running before doing. When did you start running ultras, what events have you done before, and what convinced you to sign up for this one?

I ran my first ultra in either 2007 or 2008, can’t remember for sure. It was the Run To The Sun on Maui. You run from the beach to the top of Mt. Haleakala at 10,000 feet. It’s 36 miles, just one hill! The next distance for me after that was a 56 miler on North Shore of Oahu. And then finally the HURT 100 in Honolulu. Knowing Simon, and having experienced Tanzania and Mt. Kilimanjaro, as soon as I heard that the KSR was going to happen, it was a no brainer!

Endurance running is the preserve of a very niche group – what characteristics do you think an individual needs to possess to be successful out on the trail?

One needs to be tough and stubborn! I’ve heard it said many times, “Running an Ultra is 90% mental. And the other 10% is mental.” Of course you need to be fit, but you really have to have to be tough mentally. One needs to understand what it takes to be out on the trail for 6 to 8 hours at a time. And it’s important to know what your body requires in the way of nutrition and hydration.

What was your favorite moment of the whole run? Were there any stand out events or people that you encountered on the way that you remember in particular?

My favorite memories of the run were the interactions that we had with the various people that we encountered. We are running in areas that rarely, if ever, see foreigners. When they would see a group of Wazungu running into the village, it would create quite a stir! We had a wonderful time one afternoon with an elder Mzee from one of the villages. He didn’t speak any English, and I only speak a little Kiswahili, but we had a great conversation over a couple of beers. Even with the language barrier we were all laughing. Every day we’d have great interactions with the locals.

What were your emotions and physical state when you finally reached the Marangu gate with all the group?

It was quite an emotional finish. I felt elated, relieved, inspired, and exhausted, all at the same time! It was great. Lots of high-5s and hugs!

And now, what is your next adventure plan? Do you feel that KSR helped you out for the future in your running career?

Thinking about doing the Iceland Stage Run in 2016.

Steve and Simon on the finish line

If you could give one piece of advice to help other runners successfully complete the Kilimanjaro Stage Run, what would it be?

Be mentally prepared for anything. This is not the place where you can just pop into a 7-11 for a snack, or catch the bus back home because you’re tired. The trail will vary from single track, to jeep road, to corn field, to no trail, to river crossing, to you name it! This is not like any other run that you have ever done. It’s challenging but it’s also rewarding beyond your wildest imagination.

Can you describe your KSR adventure in 5 words max?

No way! I need at least 500 words!!  OK, I’ll try…  Absolutely the best adventure ever!

Photo credit: Andrew King D4 production, Nathalie Pigache