2014 Run for Hops

Every year at the beginning of March, tons of beer lovers come to town for the Kona Brew Fest.  One of the featured events of the weekend is the Run for Hops 5K/10K, which is a benefit for PATH (People's Advocacy for Trails Hawaii).  Both locals and tourists love this race, in part for the free beer provided by Kona Brewing Company at the end of the run.

This past Saturday opened with rainy, overcast skies as people gathered for the start of the run. Although I'm sure some people opted to sleep in, almost 600 made it out for what could be considered "perfect running weather" in Kona. (Thanks to Makena Becker for taking these photos. More photos are available here.)

The 10K started off first, followed by the 5K a few minutes later. Full results from the races are available at JTL Timing's website.

Approximately 17 minutes later, local athlete Luis De La Torre was the first person to cross the finish line.  Not too much later, the epic race between Brian Pruitt and James Resor (both members of Big Island Running Company's run group) was decided when Brian crossed the finish line 23 seconds ahead of James. Rumor has it that a rematch will go down this Sunday at the Big Island International Half Marathon.

James

The top woman in the 5k was Anita Sen with a time of 22:27, followed by Kerstin Busse in 22:46. Kollette Stith was the third woman finisher with a time of 23:45.

Kerstin

Some other notable finishers in the 5K:

Great race for the kids

Tutu Girls who completed the BIRC training program

A friendly face from Indiana - I played softball with her daughter years ago and randomly saw them in the store!

Costumed runners (at least I think that isn't their normal running gear)

In the 10k, Kevin Gravina from Cambridge, Massachusetts was the first finisher with a time 37:02.  Youth trumped experience for second place with high school athlete Thunder Frost (37:45) outlasting Alan Ryan (37:56).

Alan and Thunder pacing together at the beginning.

Rani Henderson continued her strong start to 2014 with first place for the women in the 10k with a time of 39:41.  Two mainlanders followed in second and third - Kirsten Clarke-Hollinger from Tieton, Washington and Meaghan Munroe from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Rani (without the stroller for this race)

Congratulations to all who participated!  Members of our 5k/10k training group all had great races, with many setting new PRs and winning age group awards.  We'll be recognizing them in our next newsletter.

Also, a huge mahalo to all of the volunteers! I was in charge of race day registration and could not have done it without all of our helpers including Adrienne Pipes, Linda Hallinger, Jane Bockus, Linda Jane Kelley, Dave and Shirley Pratt, Laura Dierenfield and many others who jumped in to lend a hand.  After registration was over, I was also drafted to help tear and sort time cards for the finishers.  I never realized what a hectic job that was.  Thanks to everyone who jumped in to help, especially Gail Ranfranz, Sarah Govier, Ricci Racela, Linda Goeth, Simone White, and probably several others I'm forgetting. We can't put on these races without the terrific volunteers and they are greatly appreciated.

Up this weekend is the 17th Annual Big Island International Marathon in Hilo (also with a half marathon and 5k).  We'll be over there at the expo on Saturday, so stop by and say hi! Also, our Kaloko location will be closed on Saturday, but our Alii Drive location will be open all weekend.

If you're sticking around Kona, the Waverider Tri Club is hosting the 5k Leprechaun-a-thon and Sham-Walk starting at 7:00 a.m. at Magic Sands Beach.  Race day registration is from 6-6:40.