EMS Hilo sets record number of participants in 2012

Mosch wins EMS 5K, Jaclynn Joyce photo

A record number, 934 people, laced up their sneakers early Sunday morning to participate in one of several races sponsored by the Hawaii Island Emergency Medical Services.

“I can’t even believe this many people would come out to show their support for our Fire Fighters,” an elated Jesse Ebersole said of the turnout.

Ebersole, a firefighter himself who has been involved with directing the race for all 12 years, has seen the event grow by leaps and bounds.

“I couldn’t possible put this event together without the great support of our volunteers,” Ebersole said

For the serious at heart there was a 3.1 mile run while casual walkers got to do a fitness 2 mile walk.  Both events started and finished at Liliuokalani Gardens and traversed over the Suisan Bridge following the magnificent Hilo Bay coast line before heading back.

   Much of proceeds raised from this year’s race will go to benefit the Greg Cameron Scholarship Fund.

   “Greg was a Fire Medical Specialist who recently passed away after battling cancer,” Ebersole said.  “He was an inspiration to those who knew him and this scholarship will focus on creating professional development opportunities for Hawaii Fire Department personnel.

   According to Ebersole a portion of the money raised with also go to Hospice of Hawaii Island.

   “We have raised over $70,000 for various individuals and organizations since hosting the EMS races,” Ebersole said.

   Prior to the event the Fire Department showcased two of its Emergency helicopters as both landed in the center of Liliuokalani Gardens while several Fire Trucks lined the entrance to the Gardens to begin the race.

  During the race it was a familiar face jumping out to an early lead.  Two time defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation, high school cross country champion, Chris Mosch lead from start to finish.

Mosch won his BIIF titles in 2010 & 2011 while attending Honokaa and is now attending the University of Oregon where he runs for a Club Team.

“I grabbed an early lead in the first 100 yards and was pretty much running by myself after that,” he said. 

Finishing in a time of 17 minutes and 30 seconds the former Dragon was never seriously challenged.

“It was fun running in the lead as I received lots of cheering on the way back,” he said of the out and back 3.1 mile course.  “It was also great weather for running as there was a steady drizzle and it remained overcast throughout.”

Mosch was chased by Hiromasa Veno who placed second in 17:51.  Followed by Nick Muragin, 18:11; Lyman Perry, 18:18; and Hilo High star Stephen Hunter, 5^th overall, in 18:30.

Molly Schmelzle was the first woman to cross the finish line in 19:42, good enough for 14^th overall, but couldn’t be located after the race for this interview.

Second woman was another prep star from Hilo High School in Carmen Garson-Shumway who clocked 21:34 and finished 27 overall.  Viking teammate Mehana Sabado-Halpern followed as the third woman, 29^th place overall.

A Special Public Service Division award to recognize the top male and top female in public community service has been a tradition at the EMS 5K runs and two very familiar people, both from the same department, was again in the winner’s circle.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources crowned the top male and female from the same office and has bragging rights to the fastest 5K runners.

Lisa Hadway has won the Public Safety Division six times and Lyman Perry won his fourth.

“This isn’t my fastest time, 22:25, but I am getting older,” Hadway said of recently turning 40.

“I’m staying in pretty steady shape and 40 has been good to me.”

Hadway’s husband, Matthias Kusch a firefighter, finished just behind his wife in 26:11.  Second overall in the Public Safety Division was another firefighter, Kainoa Willey in 22:14.

“This was a great turnout to honor our brother, Greg Cameron.” Ebersole said.  “He helped us through the process, staying strong and enjoying life.  He will surely be missed.”

Related Links: https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/complete-results-from-hilo-ems-5k-run-held-729-2012/            https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/random-photos-of-hilos-ems-runwalk/

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/ems-2-mile-walk-division-359-finish-the-walk/

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Exciting Conclusion to EMS 5K race

EMS 5K overall winners, Stone & Halford

Cousins Brett Shea and Jackson Halford battled for top honors in the 11^th annual Emergency Medical Services 5K run held Sunday at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo.

Shea from Denver, Colorado and Halford of Volcano, along with Jason Braswell of the Big Island Running Company in Kona went toe to toe during the 3.1 mile race to make for an exciting race to the finish.

Shea led for most of the out and back race until being run down by Halford in the final 200 yards.

“In the final stretch, coming off Suisan Bridge, I was able to catch and pass him with the finish line in site,” Halford said.

Halford, a distance runner for Waiakea High School, had earlier in the month placed third at the HHSAA track & field championships in the 1500 and the junior Warrior stayed in shape over the past few weeks to meet the challenges of EMS event.

“Last year I was 4^th overall in this race, but this year I continued to train since the state championship and never really felt tired today,” Jackson said of his winning time of 17 minutes and 14 seconds.

For his hard work Halford was able to shave 14 seconds of his personal best 5K time. 

Shea clocked in at 17:17 with Braswell finishing third in 17:21.

For the women it was Marianne Stone of Orchidland winning in 21:40 over Rosa Erck, 22:20; and Melissa Schad, 22:23.

“We recently moved to Hawaii from Missouri and I was quite surprised that I won,” Stone said.  “It was a very slow time for me as usually my 5K’s are in the sub 20 minute range.”

Stone is expecting to undergo knee surgery next month and hasn’t been running as many miles as she would have liked.

“This was my first run in Hawaii and I’m still in shock that I came in first for the women,” she said.

More than 800 runners and walkers converged at Liliuokalani Gardens on Sunday to take part in the Annual Emergency Medical Services fitness event.

“We had 801 registered participants, a record for this event,” an elated race organizer, Firefighter Jesse Ebersole said.  “All of this is in conjunction with National EMS week held around country where we showcase many of the services that we provide to our community.”

EMS keiki run

Participants had a choice of doing a 2 mile walk or a 3.1 mile competitive run along scenic Hilo Bayfront.  Later in the muggy morning youngsters under the age of 10 had fun doing a non-competitive mini run within the Liliuokalani Park grounds with a bright yellow EMS helicopter taking center stage on the keiki course.

Over the years EMS organizers have raised approximately $80,000 with the money going to help EMS personnel battling cancer.

“This year the money will go to three of our Hawaii Fire Department Firefighters battling cancer and to the American Cancer Society of Hawaii Island,” Ebersole said

The EMS also included a ‘public safety’ division which was open to police, fire, DLNR, corrections and the like employees.

For the second year in a row firefight Ian Smith and DLNR employee Lisa Hadway took top honors.

Smith, who is at the Waikoloa fire department, not only won the Public Safety Division he also won the stroller division as he pushed his 7 month old daughter, Emi, the entire way finishing in 19:54.

Sandwiched between Smith and Hadway was Hawaiian Paradise Park firefighter, Joe Wedemann who clocked in at 22:14.

“I’ve done 9 out of the 11 EMS runs,” Smith said.  “It’s not only a fun event, but it is also for a very good cause.”

Hadway is no stranger to the winner’s podium as she has won the Public Safety Division 5 out of 6 times she has entered.

“I didn’t run the year I was pregnant, in 2009,” she said.  “And last year I pushed a stroller and won both divisions, but this year without the stroller,  my time was 7 minutes faster at 22:27.”

Hadway finished as the fourth overall woman in the race as she looks to be even more competitive without the stroller.

“We’d like to thank the community for coming out strong in support of our event,” Ebersole said.  “We’d also like to thank the many generous sponsors who helped to make the event possible.”

Ebersole cited the LIVESTRONG Foundation who provided wristbands to all the participants and an autographed LIVESTRONG Jersey signed by Lance Armstrong that will be auctioned in September during the Sayre Awards Dinner.

Related link:  https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/ems-5k-run-301-finishers-top-161-results/

Big Dog’s Vet Day 5K Top 50 Results

UHH cross country team supporting Vet Day 5K

BIG DOG’s Veterans Day 5K – Results of Top 50:

1)      Keoni Ucker       16:06

2)      Jason Braswell  16:36

3)      Zach Johnson    16:56

4)      Justin Pang        17:20

5)      Chris Evans        17:28

6)      Garrett McAllister  17:54

7)      Andrew Langtry 18:04

8)      Paul Mauser       18:15

9)      Todd Marohnic  18:34

10)  Mathew Crowell 18:57

11)  Louie Perry         19:02

12)  Nick Muragin     19:25

13)  Bill McMahon   19:28

14)  Jesse Ebersole   19:31

15)  Michael Wozniak 19:32

16)  Kaylene Peric      19:35

17)  Alex Vu                19:48

18)  Stewart Miyashiro 19:53

19)  Robert Otsubo    19:59

20)  Stephen Hunter  20:01

21)  Kirsta Andrew     20:01

22)  Robyn DeBenedit 20:07

23)  Steve Pavao        20:17

24)  Zinder Villena     21:09

25)  Derek Dominquez 21:17

26)  Melissa Braswell 21:25

27)  Christian MCardle 21:32

28)  Max Panoff         21:37

29)  Lory Hunter        21:38

30)  Todd Shumway   21:47

31)  Nina Hagemann  21:53

32)  Shalila DeBourmont 22:07

33)  Stewart Hunter      22:18

34)  Greg Lum Ho        22:32

35)  Sean Crocker        22:41

36)  Carmen Garson-Shumway 22:55

37)  Ray Ibara             22:59

38)  Kauila Wong Yuen 23:00

39)  Liliana DeSmitchen 23:00

40)  DJ Blinn              23:09

41)  Dena Rae           23:16

42)  Joel Tessier       23:17

43)  Robert Talbot   23:26

44)  Kayley & Kaleb Moniz ( 1 mile with grandma Marie)

45)  Quincy Lambert     24:20

46)  Kelly Frietas          24:46

47)  Lindsey England   24:51

48)  Harris Kaneshiro  25:04

49)  Conrar Murgin      25:11

50)  Andrew Langtry    25:17

With nearly 200 finishers the Big Dog will post the results in 4 seperate listings.  The next group 51-99 will be posted shortly.

Hilo’s EMS Run/Walk a Huge Success

Keiki mini-run for ages 5-6 followed the 5K run and 2-mile walk

More than 700 runners and walkers laced up their sneakers and went out and got hot and sweaty this past Sunday all to bring awareness to our Emergency Medical Services here on the Big Island.

  Participants had a choice of running in a 3.1-mile race or a 2-mile walk and for kids under 10 years of age there was a non-competitive mini run on the grounds of Liliuokalani Gardens.

   In the highly competitive 5K race it was the usual group of Big Island harrier standouts, in Alan Ryan, Justin Pang, Jackson Halford, Jason Braswell and the like forming the early pack, but none was going to catch the “ghost” in Billy Barnett.

   Barnett was in his own spirit like zone as he distanced himself from the well known leader pack to disappear from sight, winning the EMS 5K in a time of 16 minutes and 35 seconds.

   After the race Barnett was nowhere to be found as the “ghost” left without receiving his award for winning the race and another prize for winning the lucky number segment of the event.

Farrah Madanay

Women’s winner was a big surprise as Farrah Madanay of Honolulu, like Barnett, ran away from the other women to win with a time of 19:55, nearly two minutes over her closest rival.

   Madanay is a former Punahou cross-country standout who now attends Rice University in Houston, Texas.  “I’m in Hilo attending UHH summer session and taking a ‘fun’ course in Organic Chemistry,” she said.

   The EMS also had a “public safety” division which is opened to police, fire, DLNR, corrections and the like.  Volcano’s Lyman Perry had won the division four times but didn’t show to defend his title which left the door open to a variety of fit firefighters to claim top honors.

   It was an unusual race for “public safety” bragging rights as the eventual winners of both the male and female division ran pushing their infants in baby joggers.

   Firefighter/paramedic Ian Smith from the South Kohala District and Lisa Hadway from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Wildlife Division captured the special division that recognizes our public safety employees.

   Smith, a six year veteran of the fire department, had his 21-month old son Noah along for the ride as father and son cross the finish line in 19:50. 

Lisa and Malia Hadway

Hadway had her eight month daughter, Malia, along for the ride as the duo clocked in at 29:31.  “I didn’t run last year, when I was five months pregnant,” Hadway said.  “I still have a ways to go before I’m back into the condition I was in prior to getting pregnant.”

   Hadway had won the female public safety division three times previous running four to five minutes faster, but was still happy with her overall results.  “It’s just great being a mom,” she said.

   EMS organizers also recognized firefighter/EMT Kainoa Willey with a public safety award for his overall time of 22:37.

Kainoa Willey

Willey was credited with designing this year’s run/walk tee shirts and for making a web site for the EMS event at www.hawaiiemsrun.com.

   “I’ve been with the department for nearly three years and I’ve done this race each year,” Willey said.  “I also got my fiancé, Eva Sumi, started in doing these events, the first year as a walker and the past two years as a runner.” 

   Willey and Sumi were all smiles before and after the race as the couple plans to wed on Saturday, June 5.  “Everyone can come to the wedding if they bring food,” Sumi said with a huge grin.  

   EMS week was celebrated around the nation from May 16 to May 22 with May 19 being set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day.

  “During the first few years of our event we moved the date around a bit because of conflicts with other races, canoe regattas and graduations,” race organizer and firefighter/paramedic Jesse Ebersole said.  “We settled on Memorial Day weekend as it is in close proximity to the nationally recognized EMS Week.”

  This year the EMS team partnered with HMSA to help educate the community on the proper utilization of Emergency Services, basically when to call 911, according to Ebersole. 

   Each year during the Big Island EMS Week event committee members selects a person or business to benefit from the race.  “Our criteria are that the beneficiary be related to health care and that the money stays on our island,” Ebersole said. 

  Over the past 13 years the Big Island EMS family has donated nearly $60,000 to various charities.  This year the recipients are a County of Hawaii Employee battling Leukemia and the American Lung Association of Hawaii Island, according to Ebersole.

  Ebersole estimates that this year’s event will raise $7000 and all of it will be donated to the two causes.

  “We greatly appreciate the community supporting our event during this typically busy and activity filled weekend,” Ebersole said.

Onomea 5 & 10K Race Results

Runners get ready at the state of the Onomea 5K

Lyman Perry

   Lyman Perry now has bragging rights as he won the inaugural Onomea 5K (3.1-mile) held last month.

    “The Onomea course is awesome, but hard.  Tough uphill on the way back for the 5K race and a screaming descent to begin with,” Perry said.

    Perry, who normally runs much longer distance races decided on the shorter, 5K, after running the Kona Half Marathon (13.1-miles) the week before.

   “I have been trying to do races of varying distances to get my speed up prior to beginning the long slog of Honolulu Marathon training,” Perry said.

   Race director, Greg Lum Ho, was pleased with the course and the results and plans on helping to host it again next year.

   “A lot of people liked the course and, for the most part, we were pleased to host it for the first time,” Lum Ho said.

   Blog photo’s of the Onomea race was provided by Claire Suzuki and to see more of Claire’s work go to www.hawaiianimpressions.com.

   Timing was done by Curt Beck and some of the results are posted below:

 

Jim Morin

Lyman Perry	19:14	1
Jim Morin	21:15	2
Choy Bacor	22:35	3
Jason Braswell	23:48	4
Jon Kunitake	25:11	5
Andrew Yoshimoto	26:12	6
Gregory Lum Ho	26:13	7
Linden Villena	26:17	8
Scott Walton	26:26	9
Melissa Braswell	26:38	10
Mikilani Van Osdol	29:45	11
Manny Ortiz	32:27	12
Emma Petner	32:28	13
Carriel Lyman	33:47	14
Linda Naugle	34:11	15
Caroline Colburn	34:44	16

 

Melissa Braswell

The following were the top 10K (6.2 mile) finishers

Billy Barnett	37:31
Jesse Ebersole	39:46
James Yoshimoto	40:04
Justin Pang	40:06
Nick Muragin	40:47
Jeremy Buttz	41:11
Alex Hatzis	41:59
Timothy Pica	42:25
Steve Pavao	42:32
Karen Brisson	42:35
Drew Zailik	44:49
DJ Blinn	45:56
Robert Patey	47:37
Adam Busek	47:40
Michael Akau	48:24
William Golisch	48:40
David Hammes	49:48
Deep Digg	50:11
Charles Bostwick	51:38
Firmin Tehero	52:05
Ted Hiro	52:09
Vella Stephens	53:28
Ester Kanehailua	56:17
Hannah Zornes	56:26
Richard Johnson	56:50
Tasha Starr	57:00
Marie Kuramoto	57:28
Dominic Hiro	58:06