KAPA‘A — The people walked, ran and rode bicycles on the multi-use path in Kapa‘a as Tommy Noyes of the Kaua‘i Path and Communities Putting Prevention to Work unleashed the throng of more than 800 participants at Saturday’s Mayor-a-thon. “When
KAPA‘A — The people walked, ran and rode bicycles on the multi-use path in Kapa‘a as Tommy Noyes of the Kaua‘i Path and Communities Putting Prevention to Work unleashed the throng of more than 800 participants at Saturday’s Mayor-a-thon.
“When I checked last, there were about 800 people registered for the event,” said Mary Daubert, the county’s public information officer and a participant in the annual Mayor-a-thon who was completing her registration and check-in at the Kapa‘a Beach Park staging area.
But the event was not confined to an early morning walk, ride or run. Bev Brody, the Kaua‘i coordinator for Get Fit Kaua‘i, also unleashed a battery of healthy living and lifestyles activities for the participants who enjoyed a healthy post-walk breakfast from Sweet Marie’s, a gluten-free eatery on Kaua‘i.
“This is the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Marie Cassel of Sweet Marie’s. “We were working from 2:30 this morning and when Dave Jordan of Friendship House showed up with all those extra people, I almost cried for joy.”
Jordan, who coordinates the
Transitional Employment program at Friendship House, said he simply asked for volunteers and people
signed up.
The Mayor-a-thon is a free event, coordinated through the County of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Path and Get Fit Kaua‘i with the purpose of encouraging physical health and fitness among island residents while celebrating Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e path, according to the Kaua‘i Path website.
Since the inception of the first Mayor-a-thon June 27, 2009, which coincided with the blessing of Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e, Phase II, there have been more projects geared toward physical health and fitness such as the Safer Routes to School and the Walking School Bus.
“During my term at the state Legislature, I found out Kaua‘i is a leader in these types of projects,” said Rep. Dee Morikawa, who along with her husband Ken helped organize the throng of walkers, “fast walkers,” joggers and bicyclists at the starting line. “Some of the legislators said they didn’t realize there was money behind these types of projects.”
The Mayor-a-thon is also an opportunity to utilize the modifications in the different departments and agencies to service the move from automobiles to a more healthy alternative.
The county’s Department of Parks and Recreation utilized two rangers on special mountain bikes as well as a utility all-terrain vehicle to service the route.
The route could be as short as one mile or as long as eight miles along Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e.
Two officers from the Kaua‘i Police Department also put their special mountain bikes on the path, and were joined by two other officers on Segways.
All of this special equipment was put to the test when Brody needed the mayor back at the county’s mobile stage: the police officers set out to track down Carvalho who left on a bicycle, intending to ride out to Donkey Beach.
Charlie Raco and Keri Cooper were named winners of the bicycle decorating contest. Zayden “Kainoa” Demond topped the Best Decorated Participant contest with Ashlei Thompson and Mercedes Steans ending in a tie for second place.
Tiffany DeSilva topped the Best Decorated Stroller contest with Roxanne Thompson getting runner-up honors.
Marti Nice, Irnel Gonzales and Dane Smith finished as winners of the hotel stays, which were awarded through a must-be-present-to-win random drawing of completed passports of the different exhibitors spread out along the park.
