Longing to ease the loneliness of long-distance running, Island School junior Pierce Murphy has gone long distance to find competition.

Way ahead of Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation competition, Murphy has traveled to O'ahu and California to run against faster competition. They're tests to measure up against other runners, allowing him to challenge himself and prepare for Saturday morning's Honolulu Marathon/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships.

"If you're alone, you won't really know if you're slowing down or not because you're not around people," said Murphy, the KIF champion and contender for the boys state title. "And you're right next to your competition. It's better when you run (with others)."

Murphy knows he'll be running beside others at the state meet to be hosted by Island School, a small private school in Puhi behind Kaua'i Community College.

Murphy competed at the Campbell Invitational on O'ahu in September, finishing second to Leilehua's Margarito Martinez, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion and one of the favorites in the boys race.

The two ran together until the second mile when Martinez pulled away.

Murphy also ran over the weekend at the Mt. SAC (Calif.) Invitational, where he placed 40th in 16 minutes, 15 seconds in his division.

"It's a fast race," Murphy said. "In the first mile, it felt like a sprint because everyone was going all out."

Murphy plans on sticking with Martinez at the state meet.

"If Margarito goes out fast, I'm going to stay with him the whole race until I feel like (it's time) to try to pass," Murphy said. "I'll try to stay with him."

Murphy placed 28th at the state meet as a freshman in 2007 when he competed for Kula High. He sat out last year after transferring to Island School. He trained during cross country season anyway, but found it difficult to not race.

He was able to run track this past spring, placing second in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs at the state meet. Kula closed its doors over the summer.

Murphy first met Waimea coach Basil Scott when he started doing fun runs several years ago. They developed a relationship and Scott designed workouts for Murphy during track season. This fall, he's been e-mailing Murphy weekly workout routines and Murphy runs them on his own, in addition to practices with the Island School team.

Despite the lack of competition, his motivation to keep pushing is a state title.

"Basically states, I think about it and know I can do good and it keeps me going," Murphy said.

Leilehua has won the past two boys state titles and Punahou has won the past four girls titles.