Over 500 participate in Ha‘ena to Hanalei run/walk

HANALEI — The clouds lifted for the start of Hanalei Civic Canoe Club’s first fundraising event of the 2011 outrigger canoe racing season on Saturday. Runners and walkers gathered at the Hanalei pier at 4 a.m, ready to be shuttled to Ke‘e Beach for the start of the 8-mile event, states an event press release.

The overall male winner for the 8-mile course was Hanalei’s own Pierce Murphy with a time of 42 minutes, 48 seconds — an all-time course record. The first female finisher was Anva Pruzinsky with the winning time of 52:55. Anva and her husband, who also ran the 8-mile event are on their honeymoon and live in Maine.

In the 8-mile walk division, Mark Goodman from Kilauea had the winning time at 1:29:04. The first female walker for the 8-mile event was Yvette Lavigne (71 years young from Louisiana) with a time of 1:35:28.

The 5K run was won by Ka‘eo Kruse from Kalaheo, who finished in 22:04. The first female finisher was Heidi Herr (23:31).

Eric Potter was the first-place male finisher in the one-mile youth event with a time of 5:46. The first female finisher in the one-mile event was Makenna Olson with a time of 6:35.

Runners in the 5K and one-mile events began and finished at the Hanalei pier. There were 509 participants spread through the four divisions.

The canoe club’s famous pancake breakfast was served to the athletes and their families at the canoe club during the awards ceremony.

Participants in the annual event came from as far away as Australia and as near as Hanalei. Many off-island athletes plan their visit to Kaua‘i around this event each year. They come for the breathtaking scenery along Kaua‘i’s North Shore as well as for the challenge of the course. Runners as young as 4 and as “seasoned” as 75 participated.

Next year’s 32nd annual Ha‘ena to Hanalei Run/Walk will be on Saturday, June 2, 2012.