It’s easy to tell people they need to exercise more and eat better. It’s easy to tell others to find some friends and get out there and walk or run or bike and get in shape. What’s not easy is
It’s easy to tell people they need to exercise more and eat better. It’s easy to tell others to find some friends and get out there and walk or run or bike and get in shape.
What’s not easy is to come up with an event that offers all those activities, adds some entertainment and provides food and drink, gives away T-shirts and tosses in prizes as an incentive, too. And did we mention it’s all free?
We’re talking about something right here on Kauai, the Mayor-a-thon. It’s described like this: “The Mayor-a-thon is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some physical fitness and to celebrate a place on the island where we can walk safely, bike safely and support physical activity in a safe environment, Kauai’s multi-use path, Ke Ala Hele Makalae.”
In this case, it’s better than billed.
Let’s explain why.
It’s this Saturday, 7:15 a.m., Kapaa Beach Park, with the run/walk/bike expected to begin by 8 a.m. You can register at www.getfitkauai.com and the first 600 registered receive a free Mayor-a-thon T-shirt (since nearly 1,000 have already registered, sorry to report the T-shirts are accounted for). Things should wrap up by 10:30 a.m. Just under 1,200 were there last year and more are expected for the sixth annual Mayor-a-thon.
Participants can walk with friends, walk with their leashed dog, run or bike for eight miles, roundtrip, or less. If you want to turn around at any time, feel free. Just be sure to look behind you. Young and old of all fitness level are encouraged to come out. Volunteers are welcome, too. There will be water along the course for people and pets.
Members of the military here for Tropic Care are turning the Mayor-a-thon into a friendly competition and are planning to race the course.
After everyone returns from the trail, there will be a free continental breakfast, prize drawings, games and Zumba.
But wait, there’s more.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who is expected to bike the course, will perform his signature dance, “Electric Slide,” and that alone is worth being at Kapaa Beach Park on Saturday morning.
“This event has been such a huge success and we hope 2014 is the largest turnout yet,” he said. “Focusing on health and fitness, celebrating our coastal path, coming together as a community from all over the island side by side with our visitors is what makes the Mayor-a-thon truly special.”
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui is registered, but no word on whether he’ll be cutting any moves on the dance floor.
If you’re not really feeling inspired yet, consider this: All registered participants have a chance to win the grand prize, a two-night stay at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Four bikes (two adult, two kids) will be given away in drawings, too, and a year membership to Kauai Athletic Club. There will be gift certificates for other prizes, including massages. Everyone gets a Geico bag, as well.
“The community comes together in droves to give prizes for this,” said Bev Brody, director of Get Fit Kauai.
Brody and company aren’t just putting on this event and hoping you’ll come. They’re willing to get you there, too. And again, it’s free. For those who want to leave their car at home, we have the Mayor-a-thon Special Free Transport sponsored by The Kauai Bus. Not only will Westside residents benefit, but new this year there will be free transport from the Northside; from Hanalei to Anahola.
And if you don’t have a bike but would like to ride, there’s a solution. In another Mayor-a-thon special, you can rent one that day for $1 through Hele On bike rentals. You’ve got to pick up the bike by 6:30 a.m. and return it by 10. Call for reservations, 652-3183.
Brody believes the Mayor-a-thon is having an impact, for the better, on the health of Kauai. That day, some people exercise for the first time and for some, it’s their introduction to Ke Ala Hele Makalae. It’s the first step in a lifetime habit.
“That’s the main reason why we’re doing this,” Brody said.
Get Fit Kauai’s mission to increase opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy, affordable food. The Mayor-a-thon does that, Brody said.
“We’ve come to love this event and the way it brings the community together for fun and fitness,” she said.
And did we mention it’s all free? Oh yeah, we did.
