Big Dog’s 5K Run/Walk Kicks Off Sports Hall of Fame Day

5K winners Kaylene Peric and Keoni Ucker

Sunday, August 22, was proclaimed by Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi as Big Island Sports Hall of Fame Day. 

A trio of events highlighted the day in which tribute was paid to those who have been inducted and those to be inducted into the BISHF.

The morning started out with a 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk with the start and finish line in the parking area of Moku Ola.

University of Hawaii cross country coach, Jaime Guerpo, was on hand along with a group of Vulcan harriers which used the event as a preseason tune up.

 “This race is a good measuring stick to see where my runners are at and whether or not they have been training during the off season,” Guerpo said.

Leading the way for most of the race was UHH star and former Christian Liberty Academy harrier, Keoni Ucker, who made Coach Guerpo proud.  Ucker was challenged during the first half-mile of the race by teammate Zach Johnson.

“I had not been training as much as I wanted to during the summer,” Ucker said after the race.  “I don’t want to peak to early prior to the season and I’m satisfied where I’m at right now.”

Ucker won the race with a finishing time of 16 minutes and 11 seconds, nearly a full minute ahead of Johnson who clocked in at 17:08.

UHH had seven men and five women racing as they swept most of the top spots in the overall race results.  Former CLA and UHH standout Justin Pang took third, 17:11; Andrew Holbrook, 17:13; and Scott Hunter was fifth in 17:23.

Hunter runs track and field for Central Washington University where he competes in the pole vault and decathlon events.  On Saturday the former Hilo High grad won the Rain Forest Funs 5K in 18 minutes.

For the women it was UHH tennis player, Kaylene Peric, finishing 19^th overall, while taking first for the ladies division in 20:25.

“I’m originally from Michigan, but I’ve been attending UHH and study in the pharmacy department,” Peric said.  “I don’t really race, but I like to run and today I just wanted to see what I could do.”

Peric plans on being a walk on for the Vulcan’s cross-country team this year as she finds the flexibility afforded her in the team’s practice schedule is more conducive to her school schedule.

Following Peric for the women was Kirsta Andrew, 21:22; Nina Hagemann, 21:45; Lory Hunter, 21:48; and Melissa Braswell in 22:21.

The youngest member of the group was 8 year old Romeo Tebelan from Kalanianaole Elementary School who traversed the course in 38:26.

Marisa and Harlina Manley

Also on hand were family members of the late Hamilton Manley, a basketball legend who was later in the day to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.

“My dad always used to have us involved in a variety of 5K and 10K running events,” Harlina Manley said.  “My daughter, Brittany, and I flew in from California to be part of my dad’s induction into the Sports Hall of Fame.”

“We used to do races together as a family including the Saddle Road Relay,” Marisa Manley, widow of Hamilton said.  “Today brought back some emotional moments for us as we feel connected with Hamilton through doing these races.”

Hamilton Manley’s sons, Isaac who lives on the Big Island, and Harlan from Oregon, also were part of the day’s events honoring a man that gave so much to his family and community.

Later in the morning the venue moved to Prince Kuhio Plaza where seven new members joined the already 114 previously selected individual Big Island sports heros. 

The seven people that were inducted into the BISHF 12^th class were Richard Nakano, Karate; Mo Mathews, swimming; Harold “Russian” Furtado, track & field;   Manny Veincent, outrigger canoe paddling;  Ruth E.K. Walker, Aikido; Hamilton Manley, basketball;  and Francis “Bo” Saiki, baseball/softball.

The BISHF day concluded with a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens where county and state proclamations were given out, along with individualized plaques.

Related Post with race summary and photos at:  http://bigislandrunningcompany.com/Big_Island_Running_Company/Blog.html

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Big Island Sports Hall of Fame 5K run/walk on Aug. 22

Big Dog will host a Free 5K run/walk on Sunday, Aug. 22

August 22 is Big Island Sports Hall of Fame Day

The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame will induct seven members into its 12^th class with a trio of events on Sunday, August 22.

That day has been proclaimed by Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi as “Big Island Sports Hall of Fame Day.”

The day kicks off with the Big Dog’s Sports Hall of Fame 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk starting at 7:30 am from the entrance to the Moku Ola (Coconut Island) parking area.  The event is free and open to the public.  Contact the Big Dog at 969-7400 for more information.

The seven people being inducted are Richard Nakano, Karate; Mo Mathews, swimming; Harold “Russian” Furtado, track & field;   Manny Veincent, outrigger canoe paddling;  Ruth E.K. Walker, Aikido; Hamilton Manley, basketball;  and Francis “Bo” Saiki, baseball/softball.

The BISHF will hold a photo unveiling at the Prince Kuhio Plaza on at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon. 

Luncheon tickets are now on sale to the general public with limited seating. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.  For more information on obtaining luncheon tickets contact Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519 or at Ellsworth Custom Cycles at 969 Kinoole Street.

Free Run/Walk to honor Sports Hall of Fame

Hawaii Island County Mayor, Billy Kenoi, has proclaimed August 22nd as Big Island Sports Hall of Fame Day.

To kick off the festivities the Big Dog will host a free 5K run/walk starting in the parking area of Moku Ola, Coconut Island, at 7:30 a.m.

Simply show up, sign in, and have fun.  The Big Dog crew will have an official timer and post race refreshments.  We will also be giving away a few random prizes.  Any person that belongs to the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame will have their photo taken.

Race results will be posted and some people will be interviewed for the Big Dog column.

Call me should you have questions at 969-7400 or leave a comment on this blog site.

The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

BIRR Scholarship Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, May 23

Free Vidration provided to participants after the race by Anheuser-Busch

    On Sunday, May 23, the Big Island Road Runners along with Big Dog Productions will host the Scholarship 5K run/walk starting at 7:30 am in the parking area of Moku Ola, Coconut Island.

  Following the fun run/walk the BIRR will presents a check for $1000 to Hilo’s Sai Weiss and to Waiakea’s Kaitlyn Chock.  The public is encouraged to attend both the run/walk and the scholarship ceremony.  For more information contact the Big Dog at 969-7400.

Three Time BIIM Champion, Michael Georgi, Returns

Jason Florimonte, 2009 BIIM winner. Photo by Tim Wright

Preparations are underway for the 13^th Annual Big Island International Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K scheduled for Sunday, March 21.

   The event was the brainchild of Roland Higashi, former owner of Creative Arts, and George Miyashiro who owned Jack’s Tours.  The two businessmen elicited the help of running Guru Karl Kunz and the Big Dog to help make their vision happen.

   “We wanted to help stimulate the visitor industry for Hilo and thought that runners from Japan and elsewhere would find us an attractive place to visit,” Higashi said.

   The inaugural Big Island International Marathon (26.2-miles) race was held in 1997 and the winner was Michael Georgi of Honolulu.

  Georgi, a Punahou Social Studies Teacher and longtime track and cross-country coach, ran the certified marathon course in 2 hours, 41 minutes and 15 seconds at age 45 and returned the following year for his second consecutive victory.

   Georgi became a regular fixture in the Hilo race running eight of the first nine BIIM’s while finishing first three times, a BIIM record, third three times and fifth twice.

   “The first eight miles of the course took its toll on me during my last two appearances (2006 and ’07),” Georgi said.  “After the 2007 race I decided to take a hiatus from doing this course.”

   Now at age 57, after taking a two year break from the BIIM, Georgi has decided to challenge the course once again.

   “I like doing the BIIM because of the beauty of the first eight miles,” he said.  “I much prefer the BIIM to the Honolulu Marathon due to the scenery and lack of crowds.”

   The Honolulu Marathon will typically have more than 20,000 runners at the starting line compared to the BIIM which has 250 marathoners and another 350 half-marathoners beginning at the 6 am start in Pepeekeo.

   During the 1980’s Hilo hosted a smaller marathon that ran totally within the Hilo district which saw Georgi win in 1985.

   “I ran the original Hilo Marathon twice during the 1980’s,” Georgi said.  “I finished second in 1982 to Ruben Chappins with a time of 2:29:55 and returned in 1985 to win in 2:32:04.”

   The original Hilo Marathon course was a double, out and back loop that went from Bayfront out to Richardson Beach Park twice.  The course was relatively flat and was never certified and some say it may have been a tad bit short of the 26.2-mile requirement.

  Since 1997 the BIIM has been measured precisely by HELCO engineer, Curt Beck, and the race has obtained a USATF certificate making it a legitimate qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon in April.

   Add in a bunch of rolling hills from Pepeekeo to Honolii and the BIIM is a challenging marathon that takes runners through some of the most beautiful areas in paradise.

   Georgi currently owns two age group records when, at age 45, he ran 2:41.15 (45-49 age group record) and at age 52 he finished in 2:56:58 (50-54 age record) to go with his three overall BIIM victories. 

   Now, at age 57, Georgi has his sights on breaking the 55 to 59 age group record currently held by Texan, Larry Linchovsky, with a time of 3:16:48.

    “My realistic goal is to finish the marathon respectably and uninjured,” Georgi said.

   When Georgi laces up his shoes for the start of this year’s marathon he will be joined by 250 other 26.2-mile enthusiast plus another 350 half-marathon runners.  Both races sold out three weeks ago and has made BIIM one of the most attractive small marathons around.

   “We’re going to have to see if we can increase the participants’ spots for the 2011 race,” Higashi said.  “We will try to increase at a slow, reasonable rate, as to minimize the impact to our community.”

   In conjunction with the three races hosted by BIIM on Sunday there will be a Carbo Load Dinner Party at the Moku Ola room of the Hilo Hawaiian on Friday starting at 6 pm.  The all you can eat pasta party cost $21 at the door and includes a hula show and lucky number giveaways. 

   Then on Saturday the BIIM will host a Health and Fitness Expo from noon to 6 pm at the Hilo Hawaiian.  Vendors from around the island will be on hand with free samples.

   Ki Mana Academy Massage will be giving free massages, Island Naturals free samples, and more.

   For more information on any of the events hosted by the BIIM call 969-7400.

One of my favorite quotes on running in a 26.2-mile marathon comes from Martine Costello when he said, “You’re running on guts. On fumes. Your muscles twitch. You throw up. You’re delirious. But you keep running because there’s no way out of this hell you’re in, because there’s no way you’re not crossing the finish line.  It’s a misery that non-runners don’t understand.”