In the midst of Hawaii’s dense, rain-drenched jungle, an unsuspecting ultramarathon runner stumbled upon something that has caused quite a stir on the internet.
What started as a demanding 100-mile endurance challenge unexpectedly took a sinister turn when a seemingly ordinary race photo unveiled a shadowy, disheveled figure hidden amidst the trees. No one witnessed it.
There were no other competitors in the vicinity. No sculptures. No deceitful illumination. One unsettling image, a silhouette observing from the darkness—and a legend that could be more than just a story.
Is it possible that this eerie presence is connected to the ancient spirits of Hawaii? Or did something even more enigmatic trail them through the dense forest?
In 2019, ultramarathon runner kay borleis took on the formidable hawaiian ultra running team’s trail 100-mile endurance run—a brutal race that challenges competitors to complete five 20-mile loops through thick, humid hawaiian rainforest. Accompanied by her friend Cassie, who served as her pace, Kay maneuvered through the muddy landscape, with Cassie documenting their journey through her camera lens.
It wasn’t until after the race that things took an unexpected turn.
As Kay was going through the pictures, she noticed something unsettling in one of them. Just to the left of her head, a mysterious figure clad in tattered clothing seemed to be fixated on her. Startled and perplexed, she shared the image on reddit, stating,’my pacer captured this photo.’ Take a look at the image to the left of my head. We didn’t encounter any fellow hikers on the trail, and there were no statues or markers to guide us. This isn’t manipulated. “It’s genuine.”
Intrigued and unsettled, kay delved into the lore of Hawaiian legends and came across the tale of the night marchers—mythical beings believed to be the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors, said to roam the islands under the cover of darkness. These spectral figures are thought to bring bad luck to anyone who gazes upon them, but those who show reverence by lying face-down may escape their wrath.
Fortunately, Kay mentioned, ‘we didn’t actually witness what may have been a night marcher.’.
The unsettling image has gained significant attention on the internet, leading to discussions and arguments between those who doubt its authenticity and those who firmly believe in its supernatural nature. While some attribute it to a mere optical illusion or digital anomaly, others firmly believe it could be proof of Hawaii’s rich spiritual heritage—leaving many to ponder the mysterious presence that may have been concealed within the rainforest that day.
Whether a mere illusion, an optical trick, or something beyond our understanding, the enigmatic figure captured in kay borleis’ rainforest race photo continues to intrigue and spark discussions. For some, it’s an inexplicable occurrence—a mysterious presence mysteriously hidden within the depths of the dense jungle. For some, it’s a brief encounter with something ancient and powerful, a haunting reminder of Hawaii’s deeply rooted legends. One thing is certain: the photograph has blurred the line between folklore and reality, leaving many to wonder—did Kay unknowingly pass by a ghostly guardian of the island’s past?