Volcano Rainforest 10K Run – JINXED? Problems with leaders second year in row

: 10K champion?

Volcano Rainforest 10K JINXED Again

The Volcano Rainforest, a benefit for the Volcano Art Center, ran their 2^nd annual half marathon, 10K and 5K races on Aug 20 and for the second year in a row the 10K had issues with the lead runners.

In 2010 the four lead runners were taken into the finish line after doing only the 5K distance and race officials decided to simply double their time and recognize them as the overall 10K winners.

This year volunteers failed to have the lead pack of 15 runners do a final loop and when they came into the finish line lead runner, Chris Mosch, from Honokaa realized he had only done 5.7 miles.

“There was apparently some confusion among the course marshals at a point in the course where the runners had to run up and back through a cul-de-sac in order to make the course 10 km,” Walter Mosch, father of Chris said.

“The marshals got confused when the leaders of the 10 km race started overlapping with the walkers/stragglers involved in the half marathon. Chris recognized there was a mistake when he finished and his GPS watch read 5.7 miles. When the organizer realized the error, I think that she panicked because this had happened the previous year and was brought to her attention,” Mosch wrote the Big Dog in an email message.

“She originally DQ’ed the 14 runners, at least 12 of whom were clearly running faster than the declared winner. People objected because the course marshals had directed them NOT TO GO into the cul-de-sac. She decided to offer the people the choice of having their times considered for another 5.7 mile race distance or they could have their money refunded.”

According to Mosch he approached the race organizer and said ‘What the heck are you doing? You’re having a fundraiser and returning money?

Mosch also objected to the fact that since it was their screw up the runners shouldn’t be disqualified.

“The top runners were already light years ahead of the newly declared winner when the mistake was made,” Mosch said to the race official. “Chris is going to the University of Oregon on academic scholarship and running with the school’s running club. He is hoping to make the top seven cross country runners on the club which will travel to the club championships in North Carolina in November.”

Editor’s note: Chris Mosch was declared the winner of the newly formed 5.7 mile run, but never received any award for his efforts according to his dad.

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/volcano-rain-forest-runs-10k-results/

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/doing-the-right-thing-in-sports-heather-scarbrough/

August 23, 2011 - Posted by waynejoseph | Running on the Big Island | Chris Mosch, GPS, Rainforest Run 10K, Rainforest Runs, University of Oregon, Volcano Art Center, Volcano Rainforest 10K JINXED, Walter Mosch

5 Comments »

I might be able to understand the first year having an error on the course.
But, by now you would think the race director would have figured it out??

Comment by Steve | August 23, 2011 | Reply
The race director obviously doesn’t know what he/she is doing. What an shame, this race USED to have a good reputation.

Comment by Jaclynn | August 23, 2011 | Reply
It’s obviously for a good cause. They just need someone with experience to help them with organization of the race. Why not get the BIRR involved?

Comment by Walter Mosch | August 24, 2011 | Reply
And winners of the 10k won empty reusable grocery bags with nothing inside for their efforts. No medal, no trophy, a little empty grocery bag that you can buy at KTA for $2. This race has become such a crock. The sick part is that it is one of the most expensive races to enter BY FAR.

Comment by Jeff | August 24, 2011 | Reply
I found this on their web site and was also disappointed that better awards were not provided, especially since they advertised such:

Awards
The Volcano Art Center will present local artists’ pieces to the top 3 Winners M/F of the Half Marathon and top 2 M/F in each 10 year division. For the 10K and the 5K – The top M/F winners will be presented with local artists’ awards in addition to the top 2 M/F in each 10 year age division. These awards are stunning pieces created by artists on the Big Island of Hawaii. Each one is a unique award. In addition, Kilauea Military Camp will be presenting awards to the top M/F winners of the Military Division for each race.

Comment by Gordon | August 24, 2011 | Reply