Marathon runner Lyle Nelson, an 89-year-old retired Star-Bulletin reporter, had won the 85-to-89 age division in the Great Aloha Run for the past four years but this year his streak came to a halt. When the times and winners were announced he found he ran the 8.15-mile race from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 41 seconds, placing second by 40 seconds to Bryan Harry, a youngster of 85.
But there is much more to this story. They first met about 30 years ago when Harry was head of the National Park Service in the Pacific and Nelson interviewed him for the Star-Bulletin. He found out Harry was a 1950 University of Michigan graduate. Nelson is also a 1950 Michigan grad who entered the university in 1946 after serving in the Navy in World War II. Harry started at Michigan the same year after his high school graduation.
Nelson and Harry ran into each other a few months before the GAR when they were running in opposite directions in Kalama Valley on a rainy day. Prior to that they had not seen each other since the interview.
Back in 1950, they were both on the 50-yard line of Michigan’s 100,000-seat stadium where their graduation was held and lo and behold, they ended up 64 years later on the field of Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium after running the GAR. Harry this week said he won because he had a "rabbit," his daughter Annie Phillips, a former high school running coach in Arizona, running ahead of him to keep him going faster.
Nelson has run 21 marathons — 14 in Honolulu, one in Hilo, one in Kailua on Oahu, three in San Francisco, one in Melbourne, Fla., and one in Washington, D.C. — and has participated in 295 runs from coast to coast in the U.S., Asia and Europe since 1978. He said he was inspired to take up running by fellow reporters Helen Altonn and Shurei Hirozawa after they ran the Honolulu Marathon …
SAILING ON: Saturday will be a big day during the monthlong celebration of Kani Ka Pila Grille’s fifth anniversary at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. A luau will be held with entertainment by Cyril Pahinui, Kawika Kahiapo, Weldon Kekauoha, Maunalua and Melveen Leed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luau is sold out but names are being taken for a wait list. Tickets are $30 for adults and $17 for children ages 4 to 10; call 924-6081.
Billy Richards and members of the Friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa will be on property for the quarterly free O Ke Kai series. The series, from 9 a.m. to noon, supports the continuing efforts of the friends of Hokule‘a and Hawai‘iloa to ensure the traditional Hawaiian canoe building and restoration skills are passed on to future generations. Following the luau there will be a ceremonial return of the Hawai‘iloa steering paddle that has been in the hotel’s care while the Hawai‘iloa was undergoing restoration.
GEAR UP for St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, folks. One of the most popular places to celebrate will be at Murphy’s block party on Nuuanu and Merchant streets. Murphy’s Bar & Grill opens at 11 a.m. and outdoor food and drink starts at 11:30 a.m. More serious action will get underway at 5:30 p.m. with music by Doolin’ Rakes and Elephant. Cheers! …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
