PUHI — Dozens of keiki and their families took advantage of near-ideal running conditions to participate in the annual Keiki Fun Run hosted by the YMCA of Kaua‘i and the East Kaua‘i Y’s Men’s Club. “See that lady?” asked Donna
PUHI — Dozens of keiki and their families took advantage of near-ideal running conditions to participate in the annual Keiki Fun Run hosted by the YMCA of Kaua‘i and the East Kaua‘i Y’s Men’s Club.
“See that lady?” asked Donna Schultze, longtime supporter of running and the YMCA. “She used to run in this, and now she has three children running.”
Alyssa Vegas was the lady Schulze was referring to, and her parents were on hand, Saturday, to support their grandchildren, just as they did during the days their daughter participated in the event.
But she was not the only parent who participated in the event while growing up, Schulze said.
“This is the 28th event, so there are lots of parents here who ran in this when they were youngsters,” the one-time runner said. “I can’t run anymore, so Patches, my dog, is being run by a visitor from Oregon who comes to run.”
On this particular Saturday, the Noice brothers — Logan and Brodie — took the limelight, having the distinction of being first finishers in the one- and two-mile runs held on the grounds of Kilohana Estates and overflowing into the Kaua‘i Community College.
Logan stopped the clock at 7:14.6 in the one-mile run while Brodie crossed the plane at 13:54.5 in the two-mile course.
Wailea Edwards, third overall, was the first female to cross in the one-mile leg, stopping the clocks at 7:52.3 while Sarah Keith became the first female to finish the two-mile course on a 14:26.8 outing.
Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics coach and Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation swim official Billy Brown manned the electronic clock and was liberal in pronouncing his congratulations and encouragement on the keiki runners, some being part of the SKA program.
Although these were announced as the overall finishers, the field of close to a hundred runners collected numerous prizes provided by the East Kaua‘i Y’s Mens Club as top finishers for the different age groups were announced.
Jayson Hawthorne and Braydon King were the lucky recipients of two bicycles given away by a drawing of all the participating keiki.
Tom Tannery, director of the YMCA of Kaua‘i, said one bicycle was provided by Soderholms Sales and Leasing with the East Kaua‘i Y’s Mens Club coordinating the other along with the many prizes awarded.
Meadow Gold provided healthy refreshments for everyone, Tannery said.
