Run for Hope 2010

It's Labor Day weekend in Kona, and we got it kicked off right with a 5k/10k race out at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Jason was actually at this race last year and kept raving about what a great event it was - especially the post-race breakfast. So I was pretty excited for this one. The race benefited cancer research on the Big Island, so it was for a great cause, too. In fact, at the post-race awards, they mentioned that, as of last year's race, they had raised over $1 million in the past 13 years for the event.

The race offered both a 5k and a 10k run, plus a 5k walk. Jason was planning on running the 10k, but I decided to go for the 5k. After the pre-race blessing and stretching, we headed out through the resort complex for about a mile before hitting the golf course. The remainder of the 5k was run on the golf course and cart paths before heading back to the finish line area. The 10k continued past the finish line for more golf course running, including a portion that ran right along the ocean.

Running on a golf course was a lot of fun, but you forget how many ups and downs there are on a golf course. There were definitely no flat portions. And the sun was pretty hot in some places, especially when you were running on a fairway with no shade. I was pretty happy when I hit the turn to finish the 5k.

A group of cross country runners from Parker School were there and took home several of the top 10 spots in the 5k. Jake Shiraki won the 5k with a time of 19:21. Zafir Abou-Zamzam (in the under 14 age group!) was second in 19:30, while his dad(?) Ahmed Abou-Zamzam finished next in 20:12. I was able to finish in 12th overall, coming in first for the women at 22:37. Second place went to Darcy May in 23:37, and third was Kara Tsuzaki in 24:01.

The 10k was a close battle between Justin Butler and Jason. Justin led much of the race (even after getting led off course briefly by the lead golf cart), but Jason held on and managed to pass him with about 1 mile to go. Jason finished in 36:45, with Justin just behind him at 36:56. Third place went to Jason Thorp with a time of 40:53. Fourth place overall was the women's 10k winner, Mirion Schultz in 43:00. In second place for the ladies was Karolina Wanke in 45:17, while third place was Alexandra Sarrimanolis in 48:20.

Full results for both races are posted here. Some pictures from the day are below, but more can also be found here.

A Parker School cross country runner sprinting to the finish.

Sharon Diedrichs finishing strong.

Duke Becker leading dad Danny to the finish.

Makena Becker followed shortly after.

Justin Butler makes the final turn.

More kids enjoying the run.

Almost there!

Women's 10k winner, Mirion Schultz

Dawn Henry

A happy group of runners.

Marissa Bryant-Manago

Following the race, there was a great post-race breakfast with fruit, yogurt, pastries, scrambled eggs and sausage links. It was delicious! There were also a nice post-race awards ceremony, with several friends winning age group awards in their respective races.

Ziggy Bartholomy

Jon Kunitake

Norm Jones

Gerd Weber

Lisa Bryant

Jason and I walked away with a massage and a gift certificate for dinner at the Four Seasons (along with the always popular Kunitake Farms coffee). They also drew for several prizes, with Danny Becker winning a massage at the Four Seasons (which I'm pretty sure he gave to his wife). Finally, they awarded two nights at any Four Seasons in Hawaii, plus airfare, to the participant who raised the most money for the event. The winner raised over $1500!

Congratulations to all participants! Good luck to everyone running the Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon tomorrow! Up next on the Big Island is a Peaman race in Kona next Sunday morning at 8 a.m., as well as the Hilo Bayfront 5k/10k at Coconut Island on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. Have a great Labor Day weekend.