Pierce Murphy of Hanalei beat more than 200 other runners in the 5K of the 15th Annual Kona Marathon and Family Runs on Sunday on the Big Island. The 14-year-old clocked in at 17:45 to beat a pair from an
Pierce Murphy of Hanalei beat more than 200 other runners in the 5K of the 15th Annual Kona Marathon and Family Runs on Sunday on the Big Island.
The 14-year-old clocked in at 17:45 to beat a pair from an older age bracket, Ray Venegas (17:58) and Garrett Pinglow (18:02), in the final 200 yards of the race.
“It was hard in the beginning because they were going pretty fast and I was trying to keep up with them,” Murphy said.
Pierce started at the front of the start line for the race and was able to hold his own against some older and more experienced runners.
“I was nervous because they seemed pretty fast and they’re older than me,” he said.
This was the fourth time Murphy ran this race. His best time came a couple years ago when the course was slightly shorter and he posted a faster time by 20 seconds.
He said that this year’s race route was pretty easy for him because it was a flat course. He kept a steady 5:43 pace.
There were nine other runners in his 12-to-14 age group. Ryan Boccabella (19:30) of North Huntington, Penn., registered the closest time among them to Murphy’s.
Charles Hoslow (27:49) of Kekaha also ran the 5K. He ran in the 50-to-59 year old age group.
