KAPAA — Bob Lough of Atlanta said they have a marathon in Georgia — what they don’t have is a Mayor-a-thon. Bob and his wife Becky stopped along Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e multi-use path to allow the stream of hundreds
KAPAA — Bob Lough of Atlanta said they have a marathon in Georgia — what they don’t have is a Mayor-a-thon.
Bob and his wife Becky stopped along Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e multi-use path to allow the stream of hundreds of bikers, runners and walkers onto the path Saturday for the 9th annual Mayor-a-thon.
“This is a nice path,” Bob said. “In Georgia, we don’t have the ocean view, and it’s hard to get the mountain view. You folks have both, and they’re gorgeous.”
Canine participant Bauer Kanna even had special boots to run the path.
“He doesn’t like the gravel on his front paws,” said Nancy Kanna. “He’s OK with his back paws, but he doesn’t like it on his front paws. And he’s real local about it because he drags his feet. Look at the holes he has in his boots.”
The Kannas were among the 1,100 people registered to take part in the free event promoting healthy living and lifestyles. The featured event was a walk, bike or run on an 8-mile course along Ke Ala Hele Makala‘e, starting and ending at the Kapaa Beach Park.
“It’s all about fun,” said Bev Brody of Get Fit Kauai who joined Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in hosting the event in its ninth year. “I like the layout for this year’s event where everything is much more spread out — it gives people more room to enjoy the different games and visit the exhibitors who offer free breakfast, information on healthy living, and even bicycle safety inspections.”
Brody said they had a funny way of counting how many people participated in the annual morning walk.
“Last year, we had 1,000 people registered, and took another 200 walk-in registrations,” Brody said.
“This year, we have 1,100 registered, and already there are walk-ins. We are definitely over 1,000 people. Last year, Lenny Rapozo said we needed more portable toilets. This year, look — we have two portable toilets. We are ready.”
Kanoe Haneberg was one of the winners for bicycles being given away by Wilcox Health. She was joined by her brother Nakoa who got one of the prize bicycles being given away by Brody on stage.
Kelson Suga won the second bike given away by Wilcox, and Danielle Gabrielli won the second children’s bicycle given away on the main stage by Dr. Robyn Hasegawa of Kaiser Permanente.
Participating members of the Lions Club also performed cleanup duty, being armed with garbage bags and gloves on their walk. One Lion, Dawnie Peralta, was announced the winner of one of the adult bicycles, and was joined by Norma Estrada who let out a whoop when her name was called.
Kellie Redmond of Los Angeles won the night’s stay with meals at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach, and Ron Tadiarca was the recipient of the Lawai Beach Resort stay.
Donna Fusiara was awarded the grand prize of a stay at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
