KOLOA — The reputation of the Old Koloa Sugar Mill Run is spreading to other continents. Rick Olson, Rotary Club of Kauai member, received an inquiry from someone in Africa who had two questions: Do race organizers provide air transportation
KOLOA — The reputation of the Old Koloa Sugar Mill Run is spreading to other continents.
Rick Olson, Rotary Club of Kauai member, received an inquiry from someone in Africa who had two questions: Do race organizers provide air transportation and is there prize money?
The answer to both was, sadly for this presumed very fast runner, no.
“I said, ‘This is for charity,” Olson said, laughing.
More than 600 people, including many of Kauai’s top runners, are expected for the 13th annual event on Nov. 14 that features a 5K, 10K and half marathon.
Each race starts and ends near Anne Knudsen Park. Participants receive shirts, breakfast and an awards ceremony. Each half marathoner finisher will receive a medal, too.
“Things look real good,” said Rotarian and race director Tom Lodico. “We try to enhance the race every year by adding something to it.”
New this year will be microfiber shirts in place of the traditional cotton tees.
Registration, so far, is up about 40 percent over last year, with the half marathon receiving strong interest from overseas. Runners are coming from the Mainland, Canada and Germany and more will sign up as race day nears.
“It’s kind of exciting when you get all those folks in there,” Lodico said.
Rotarians use the proceeds to fund scholarships, most to Kauai Community College, as well as pay for camps for high schoolers and leadership awards.
“None of it we keep,” Lodico said. “It all goes to the community.”
There is history all around the course. Koloa is surrounded by the mountains as well as the wide-open fields of the plantations that once operated there. The first sugar mill opened in the 1830s.
Lodico said the race has continued to increase in numbers. In its early years, it was run in the cane fields, but turns out they weren’t exactly easy to navigate.
“We got a lot of feedback from runners,” Lodico said. “They said there were too many ditches and somebody was going to get hurt.”
The half marathon begins at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K run/walk at 7:15 and 10K at 7:30. Each distance includes the Koloa Bypass Road. The half marathon also follows Poipu Road, offers ocean views, goes through tree-lined streets, and is considered mostly flat and fast, but with some rolling hills and a gradual uphill the final miles.
Participants should be prepared for hot, humid conditions.
The half marathon is $40, the 5K and 10K, $30, until Nov. 1.
Olson said the race receives strong support, not just from runners and walkers but sponsors that include Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Grove Farm Company, DuPont Pioneer, the County of Kauai and Kauai Spring Water.
Volunteers are needed to help with set up, cleanup or pitch in at one of the six aid stations along the courses.
Registration: oldkoloasugarmillrun.org
