Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in a 5k in Hilo. Since I haven't been running lately, I haven't been over to Hilo in months. But yesterday was special, since it was the Sunrise Athletics 5k and 2.5K Keiki Run. Sunrise Athletics is a youth track and field club on the east side of the Big Island. They coach kids from ages 8 and under up through high school and help them get involved in the sport.
As they get older, the kids have the opportunity to participate in some great events off-island, including the Foot Locker Western Regionals. That event takes place on December 7-8 in California and the funds from yesterday's race will help defray some of those costs. You can read more information about them on their
website.
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| Sunrise Athletics Members who will be racing at the Foot Locker Western Regionals |
So with all the kids in attendance, yesterday's race was a lot of fun. It was held at Waikaea High School and ran on their cross country course. Everyone started at the same time, but some of the kids only did one loop of the course for the 2.5K Keiki Run, while the 5K made two loops. Running with kids and watching them try to pace is really a lot of fun. Most of them are pretty competitive, too. Don't try to pass them or they'll outsprint you for 100 yards, including at the end of the race!
Results haven't been posted yet, but they should show up on the Sunrise Athletics website soon. In the meantime, here are some photos from the event (after the actual 5K run).
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| Kids participating in the sack race. |
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| Awards |
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| Sunrise Athletics members listening to race emcee Eddie O |
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| The top 3 females in the 5k |
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| The top 3 males in the 5k |
Not surprisingly, the top three men and women were all local high school runners. Ian McQuate took first place overall and Carmen Garson-Shumway was first for the ladies. We wish them the best of luck representing the Big Island in California in a couple of weeks!
Up this weekend is Lavaman Keauhou, starting with the Lavaman Sunset 5k on Friday evening, the expo on Saturday, and the Olympic-distance triathlon on Sunday. Good luck to everyone competing this weekend!
