BIG DOG 5K MAKES BIG SPLASH

Rainy Day Winners, Ikaika Ho, Shelila De Bourmont, Johan Dana

This past weekend saw a tropical storm blow in and dump buckets of rain onto Hilo and the rest of the state. With the cold winds blowing it gave many a good reason to stay in bed and get some extra sleep.

Yet some people got up early to get ready for work and to provide the many services that go on despite the terrible weather conditions. Still others woke before the crack of dawn to get in their regular weekend exercise run.

“I don’t like to make excuses for not exercising,” marathon runner Johan Dana said. “Running is something I do no matter what the weather is like; I just don’t make any excuses for not getting out there.”

Dana, along with many health conscience people in our community, are believers in the benefits associated with aerobic types of exercise and they will workout in all types of weather in order to reap its rewards.

There are a lot of good reasons to get out and go for a run or walk. Many of those reasons have to do with the betterment of your health and this past Saturday runners and walkers turned out in the pouring rain to participate in the Big Dog 5K.

Leading the way were Johan Dana, Ikaika Ho, Bryson Kobayashi and Chris Mosch. Dana got out to a quick pace and by the first mile had separated himself from the rest of the soggy group.

“I felt good and once I got going the rain didn’t bother me at all,” Dana said. The former University of Hawaii-Hilo cross-country runner traversed the course to finish in 17 minutes 59 seconds.

“It was a bit slow running today, with all the puddles and slippery conditions,” Dana said. For the former Vulcan it was his third consecutive East Hawaii 5K (3.1-miles) victory and one of his wettest.

Following in second place was another former Vulcan runner and current Waiakea track sprint coach, Ikaika Ho in 18:31, with Warrior distance runner Bryson Kobayashi taking third in 19:03.

Rounding out the top men were Chris Mosch, a Honokaa High cross-country star, 19:35; Johann Kuipers, 20:21; Alan Ryan, 20:36; Carlos Fuentes, 20:47; former Keaau high track standout John Sanchez, 21:07; Caden Yamamoto, 21:38; Chayse Collins, 21:41; and Jackson Halford in 22:21.

For the women it was Hilo High’s Shalila De Bourmont, 22:26; Waiakea’s Kelsie Kobayashi, 22:38; Lory Hunter, 23:05; Amy Kama, 24:51; Alyssalyn Buyuan, 30:16; Chelsey Buyuan, 30:27; Hollie Lambert, 32:13; Joyce Dyorak, 32:49; Brittney Imade, 32:49; Suyzanne Swanson, 33:44; and Emily Kuyat, 34:45; rounded out the top women.

Hunter, who finished third for the women, coaches distance runners for the Hilo High cross-country and track programs. “It was really a wet one today, but it was also a lot of fun,” she said after the race.

Hunter’s youngest son who just finished a successful season with Parks and Recreation track & field, Stephen, stayed close to his mom and finished 15^th overall with a time of 23:14.

Young Jack Roney, in his 70’s, showed up to walk the course with his umbrella and enjoyed being out, despite the weather. “I walk all the time and a little rain isn’t going to stop me from doing what I enjoy,” Roney said.

The youngest participant was Jesse Swanson, age 11, went out of his way to find the biggest puddles to jump in and run through. “I’m hoping I can beat my mom,” Jesse said during the race while talking with the Big Dog.

Exercise isn’t about waiting for the right moment or perfect weather condition to get out. If you wait for the ideal opportunity to do anything you will be left far behind in any endeavor.

Don’t make excuses for yourself. Getting out for an hour walk or 30-minute run four to five times a week is what will keep us younger and healthier as we begin to age.

Jospeph Addison had it right when he said, “If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”

PAW PRINTS:

Late registration for the Big Island International Marathon, Hilo’s only certified 26.2-mile event, will continue from now until Saturday, March 21.

Besides the marathon the event will hold a certified half-marathon (13.1-miles) which begins with the marathoners in Pepeekeo, winds its way into Hilo using the 4-mile scenic route and other back roads, then goes out to the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel before turning back to the finish, at Bayfront.

More than 200 runners have signed up for the marathon and over 300 athletes have signed up for the half-marathon. There will also be a 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk that will start and end at Hilo’s Bayfront.

Also on March 21, from noon to 6 pm at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel with be a Health & Fitness Expo which is free and open to the public. Many vendors will provide free services which includes Ki Mana Academy Massage, Waiakea High Health Academy Body Fat Analysis, and talk about your feet with Dr. David Arkin, podiatrist; with samples from Herbalife, and much more.

For more information go to www.hilomarathon.org or call the race director at 969-7400…………

Smiles don’t have to be saved for a rainy day. It’s good to waste them!

And someday should you happen to see a wet and happy runner come passing through the streets of Hilo remember to smile, say “woof” and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.”

Email the Big Dog at waiakeabigdog@aol.com.

Smiling in the Rain, just prior to start of 5K run/walk

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