Who We Are and What We Stand For

The Big Island Running Company is proudly owned by Jason, Melissa, and Erica Braswell.

Our mission is to provide the residents and visitors of the Big Island with everything they need to be the best runner or triathlete they can be. Of course we offer the best running shoes, apparel, and accessories available, but we also strive to offer expert advice, encouragement, and friendship.

We also seek to foster the running and triathlon communities on the Big Island, supporting the sports at a grassroots level. We believe that the success of these sports on the Big Island is crucial for an active, healthy community.

Jason Braswell is originally from Birmingham, Alabama, but spent nine years in Chicago before making Kailua-Kona his home. He has a long history of running, racing everything from the mile to the marathon. Lately, his focus has been on the marathon, where he has a personal best of 2:48, run at Chicago in 2006 (with perfect 1:24 splits) and at Columbus, OH (with painful 1:19 and 1:29 splits).

Melissa Braswell grew up in Northwest Indiana, outside of Chicago. After spending her college years at the University of North Carolina, she returned to Chicago where she has spent the last nine years. Although she was involved with numerous sports and athletic activities growing up, she didn't truly begin to enjoy running until her 20s. Now she enjoys running distances from 5Ks through half marathons, as well as keeping active through other activities.

Erica Braswell lives in Birmingham, Alabama. She got her start running on her middle school track team. After a successful high school career, she headed to Auburn University, where she was All-SEC multiple times on the track. Since graduating from Auburn her focus has been road racing, with major wins in the 2008 Maui 15-k, 2008 Sunburst Half Marathon, 2009 Renaissance Half Marathon, and 2009 Mercedes Half Marathon.