Recently, we had the chance to catch up with Tim Heaton, co-founder and owner of Gypsea Gelato, a long-time 100% Pure Kona Coffee race sponsor. He’s had quite a journey from working on dive boats around the world to opening Gypsea Gelato, but one of the most epic is the journey Tim takes every November to the End of the World and back. Keep reading to find out more about the runner behind one of our sweetest sponsors!
“I grew up in South California, running and surfing. When I left, it was to work on commercial fishing and dive boats around the world. That’s where I met my wife, Sandra. And that’s how our love for gelato began,” says Tim. “Everytime we would pull into a new port, we would immediately look for a place to grab fresh gelato. We decided to turn our love for gelato into a business and started by taking a week-long class.”
Making gelato is a blend of creativity and science. Unlike ice cream, gelato is made with more milk and less cream. And the churning process is slower, introducing less air into the final, delicious treat. Once Tim and Sandra had the process perfected, they were ready to share the gelato love. There was only one problem.
“We drove up and down the West Coast, but we just couldn’t find a spot for our shop. So we decided to take a vacation - one last trip to the Big Island and then we would focus on opening our business.” While on vacation, Tim and Sandra discovered that Gio’s Gelato in Kealakekua’s Mango Court was for sale… and found the perfect spot for their own gelato shop!
“We fished for salmon in British Columbia until we had enough money to buy the shop from Gio himself in 2014. Then we settled down on Hawai’i Island and got to work!”
A lot has happened in the decade since the Heatons opened the first Gypsea Gelato.
In 2017, they opened their flagship shop in Coconut Grove, just steps away from the 100% Pure Kona Coffee finish line. In 2019, they moved the Kealakekua shop from its tiny space at Mango Court to its current location in the old Strawberry Patch building.
By 2022, Gypsea Gelato brought its decadent gelato to its third location at the Waikoloa Beach Kings’ Shop. A decade later, Gypsea Gelato has grown into an ohana of around 40 team members, with three shops and one central kitchen.
“We strive to use the best ingredients, sourced as close as possible to us on the Big Island. We have close relationships with our farmers, whether that’s fresh mint for Mint Chip, white pineapple for our sorbet, or lemongrass and ginger for Tom Kha. We also strive to be part of the community, supporting local events,” says Tim. “I’m a dedicated runner, lifelong runner and I’ve done the Pure Kona Coffee half marathon since 2017. It makes me proud to know we help put on a local race that I love. Over the years, we’ve even had employees run the race!”
Tim acknowledges that running three successful shops means that he can’t always train as much as he’d like to and occasionally, he has to skip a local race to attend to the business.
“I train as best I can and get in runs when I can. I may sign up for a race and something comes up. As a business owner, I have to take care of the shops. But the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon is the exception. As a runner, it’s one of the coolest races around! It’s the one event that my year is centered around. I even ran the half when it was virtual in 2020, and won it in 2020!”
The views and the challenge of the course are a few answers Tim offers up as to why he keeps coming back to run Kona Coffee year after year.
“I love the challenge of The Pit. The mana there and the history! This is where Liholiho secured his kingship in the Battle of Kuamoʻo in 1819. So it’s fitting that this is where you fight the biggest mental battle in the race… climbing up that hill out of The Pit.”
For Tim, other highlights of the half marathon include ascending the hill back to Keauhou, passing culturally and historically significant places like the site where they tore down the legendary Keauhou Beach Hotel to build an educational complex, and running past the Ku'emanu Heiau at Kahaluu Bay.
“That’s the heiau where the Hawaiian ali’i would pray for good waves to surf. And on your way out and back, you run past the condos and people come out and cheer. You see the surfers out at Magics and Lymans… It’s magical! Pele will test you out there, but that’s part of the magic. When that happens, you just focus on the next step. Right foot, left foot, repeat!” says Tim of a philosophy that’s helped him in racing and in life.
“My parents were here for the 100% Pure Kona Coffee half marathon last year and really enjoyed cheering. It’s definitely a spectator-friendly event!” Tim attests. “As a major sponsor of the race, Gypsea Gelato is invested in it emotionally and financially. And it finishes on the other side of Coconut Grove from our most highly-trafficked shop!”
Which is where you’ll find Tim after crossing the finish line. He might even be serving gelato! But not until after he’s enjoyed some Makua Trail.
“Post-race, it’s the best! You get a caffeine boost from the coffee and a hit of healthy fats and protein!”
Without Gypsea Gelato and our other amazing sponsors, the 100% Pure Kona Coffee races just wouldn’t be the amazing events they are! If you’re ready to experience Ali’i Drive like never before and celebrate with some post-race gelato, register now and come run with us on November 9th!