LIHU‘E — Gary Heu, the mayor’s administrative assistant, was getting pressured to register Monday afternoon. But he promised he would do it by the Saturday morning deadline. Heu had not yet registered for the Mayor-a-thon that celebrates the grand opening
LIHU‘E — Gary Heu, the mayor’s administrative assistant, was getting pressured to register Monday afternoon.
But he promised he would do it by the Saturday morning deadline.
Heu had not yet registered for the Mayor-a-thon that celebrates the grand opening of phase two of Ke Ala Hele Makalae, or the pedestrian and bicycle path in Kapa‘a.
That event coincides with Olympic Day being celebrated today throughout the nation, and through the Mayor-a-thon, demonstrates the administration’s support of increasing awareness about physical fitness.
“We are pleased to join mayors across the country in celebrating Olympic values of fair play, cooperation and respect for others on the day that the modern Olympic Games were founded in 1894,” Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvlho Jr. said. “I believe it is important for us as leaders to encourage our citizens to engage in healthy physical activities that promote Olympic ideals.”
Bev Brody, the Get Fit Kaua‘i island coordinator for Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition of Kaua‘i, said preliminary registration has surpassed the organizers’ expectations.
The County of Kaua‘i, Get Fit Kaua‘i coalition and the Kaua‘i Path are sponsoring the Mayor-a-thon that starts at 7 a.m., states a release from the mayor’s office.
Participants have the option of walking, jogging, running or riding a bicycle for two, four, six or eight miles while talking story with the mayor.
There will be a contest for the best decorated bicycle, stroller and participant.
“Originally, we planned to have 300 people, but as of Sunday night, there have been more than 500 people registered for the Mayor-a-thon,” Brody said. “By Saturday, we should be looking at about 600 people.”
Due to the numbers of people expected to attend the event at the Kapa‘a Beach Park, Brody said parking accomodations have been made for Mayor-a-thon participants to park at the New Kapa‘a Town Park where a Kaua‘i Bus shuttle will transport participants to and from the event starting at 6 a.m.
Brody said due to the larger turnout, the first 500 registered participants are eligible for a free tank top and breakfast. Check-in on Saturday has also moved up to accomodate the larger audience, Brody noting that check-in will start at 6:15 a.m. for the 7 a.m. start.
The Mayor-a-thon ties in with the United States Olympic Committe’s dedication to coordinating and developing amateur athletic activity in the United States to foster productive working relationships among sports-related organizations, states the Olympic Day proclamation issued by Carvalho, Monday and accepted by Brody.
Olympic Day is also a celebration when hundreds of cities across the country show its support for bringing the Olympic Games to the United States in 2016 to Chicago.
June 23 is the anniversary of the founding of the modern Olympic movement, representing the date on which the Congress of Paris approved the proposal of Pierre de Coubertin to found the modern Olympics.
For more information, or to register for the Mayor-a-thon, visit www.getfitkauai.com.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
