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Big Island International Marathon Association Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph P.O. Box 11211 Tel 808.969.7400 e-mail:
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BIG DOG #170 (March 27, 2006) Over six inches of rain, that’s right a half-foot of liquid fell in a 24-hour period during the running of the 9th Annual Big Island International Marathon. Adding to the excitement was the occasion bang of thunder and flash bulb lightning in the far away distance in what was a gray and hazy morning. But runners began to assemble at 4 am in little pods; waiting to catch the early morning bus ride to Pepeekeo to began their memorable journey. What’s even more impressive was a 2 am crew headed by Ryan Cabalse who started to line the 26.2-mile course with traffic cones. “It was the most rain I’ve seen in my years of doing this for the marathon,” said Cabalse, “but we knew just what to do and we had all the cones and barricades up by 5 am.” Randee Arkin made her way up to Pepeekeo before the first bus of runners and had the community center open, with jugs of water and Gatorade waiting. Patrick Marquart also made it up to the center by 5 am to welcome the runners and give last minute instructions prior to the 6 am start. Engineer Curt Beck, who had been busy hours before putting out mile markers, returned to Pepeekeo and offered a suggestion that would prove vital for runner safety. “With the weather being so nasty there wasn’t enough light out to start a safe race,” said Beck, “so I suggested starting 15 minutes later and the race officials agreed.” Several police officers were stationed from Pepeekeo and throughout Hilo to ensure traffic control and a safe race. Sergeant Bert Yamaguchi who played a key role in providing a successful race led the officers. In Hilo Joe and Veronica Wedemann were putting the last minute touches on the finish line cute. They lined the entire area with fond palms and torch ginger in pouring rain. The Waiakea High School Key Club under the direction of Kari Sato were waking up early and getting to their different aid station post to insure that all the runners stayed hydrated. Howard Sur drove to all 13 aid stations and made sure every that everyone was ready to go and supplies were on hand, which included blocks of ice, hundreds of cups, rubber gloves, sponges, and other necessary equipment. Roy Kagawa had his Kiwanis out and ready to go, wearing their bright orange course marshal vest. The Kiwanis had to be sure that all the runners were sent in the right direction and they had to be at all the correct transitional points on the course, which stretched out for 26 miles. Lead cyclist Sadie Morse had to ride the entire distance in the pouring rain and did an admirable job taking the fastest runners out in the proper direction and was flawless in her role. The members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program were at the finish line area by 6 am, busily cutting and preparing the food, under large tents, while other members went out in the rain to help Jim Lovell of JTL Timing prepare the finish chute. There were athletic trainers, organized from various high schools on the Big Island on hand to help the runners that might require first aid. A Boy Scout Troup was also on hand to direct the runners around the Hilo Bay Front area as they provided a much need service. The Waiakea High School Students Against Drunk Drivers, under the leadership of Dana Maeda, was at the finish line to present all the marathon runners with a shell lei, finishers medal and an aloha greeting of a job well done. In the midst of the ‘Flash Flood Warning’ Mayor Harry Kim made an appearance and helped present the medals to those in the marathon race. Hundreds of people ran and behind the scenes there were hundreds of people helping to make this race a huge success, which bring me to the next part of this story. From time to time there are people, called ‘Bandits’ that think it’s okay to run in an organized race without signing up and paying an entry fee. These ‘Bandits’ are breaking the code of ethics within the Road Running Clubs of America by taking advantage of the time and expense that is required to put on a race of this magnitude. Such was the case at the Big Island Marathon when a ‘Bandit’ ran the entire 26.2-miles without a running number and crossed the official finish line thinking it was okay. ‘Bandits’ are like shoplifters; they steal from the business and have little regard for what they are doing. Road Runners Club of America, of which the BIIM is a dues paying member, says in their bylaws that ‘Bandits’, caught for the first time should receive a one year suspension from all RRCA races and banned for life if caught again. Please, if you are participating in an organized running or walking event, be sure you are registered and have a running number pinned to your clothing. “The vast majority of runners and walkers, I’d say 99.5% are resisted, legal entries, “says Jim Lovell of JTL Timing,” it’s that 0.5% that we don’t need at organized events. PAW PRINTS: The Big Island Road Runners Club will be hosting a fun run/walk at 5 pm on April 14 starting at the entrance to Coconut Island in Hilo. The 3.1-miler is called the “Good Friday Fun Run/Walk” and is open to anyone wishing to participate. There is no cost to BIRR club members with a nominal $2 charge to non-members for which proceeds will go the club’s scholarship fund program. “We’ve established a high school senior scholarship fund,” says club’s treasurer, Dano Banks, “where we will give an annual $500 scholarship to a deserving male and female student/athlete in our community.” Following the run/walk the club will host post race refreshments and there will be a short meeting to discuss up coming events. For more information you can go to the club’s web site at www.bigislandroadrunners.com or call the club president, Big Dog, at 969-7400……… Thanks again to all the wonderful volunteers and sponsors that helped make the 9th Annual Big Island International Marathon such a huge success. Kintetsu, the County of Hawaii, KTA, Big Island Candies, KBIG, Helco, Ki Mana Massage, Anheuser-Busch, and HPM are just some of the many sponsors that helped provided the necessary income and equipment to put on such an event. And the next time you happen to see a happy, smiling, very blessed runner come passing by your neighborhood streets, remember to smile back, count your blessings and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.” For questions, comments and/or concerns the Big Dog can be reached through email at waiakeabigdog@aol.com. |
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