Earlier this year, Renee Metivier couldn’t feel her foot. Following two leg surgeries in the last two years, the 37-year-old could have retired after a 14-year professional racing career.

Determined not only to run again, but attain a qualifying time for February’s U.S. Olympic marathon trials, a pain-free Metivier started training again in the last six weeks. She finished in third in 2:43:17 at Sunday’s Honolulu Marathon to meet the sub 2:45 qualifying mark.

“When you have a fire for something, even if there’s a tiny spark, you have to go after it,” Metivier said. “I have a severe love and passion for this. I’m a competitor. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try. At one point earlier in the year, my leg wasn’t cooperating and I couldn’t feel my foot.”

The former NCAA champion at Colorado broke her fibula in two places in her right leg when she slipped on a patch of black ice while running and slammed into the ground. A metal plate and nine screws were inserted, and she even declined general anesthesia during the surgery, opting for a local injection to speed up the recovery process. A second surgery in 2018 removed the plate and screws.

“Coming back and starting from scratch is hard no matter who you are, no matter what level you’re at,” said Metivier, who owns a sports rehabilitation and performance center in Bend, Ore. “It’s mentally hard. I just said you know what, one day at a time. About six weeks ago, this huge, huge fire sparked and my brain was like, ‘don’t let it go.’ I refocused and put my head into it.”

Baeza, Carlson top Hawaii residents

Humberto Baeza prepared for the Honolulu Marathon with a run in the birthplace of the Olympics.

For Polina Carlson, Sunday’s race was another step in her build-up toward a shot at next year’s Games.

Baeza and Carlson shared reason to celebrate after completing the 26.2-mile course as the first Hawaii residents to finish the 47th annual event.

Baeza, a civil engineer officer with the Navy based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, finished in 2:36:26. He went to Athens, Greece, last month to run the original marathon course to celebrate his 30th birthday and placed 19th overall on Sunday.

“I felt great, I just kept my pace, I knew my limit and just kept it going,” said Baeza, who is originally from Arkansas.

Carlson continued her reign as the top female resident with her finish in 2:57:38, ninth overall in the women’s standings. She earned a qualifying time for the U.S. Olympic trials — set for Feb. 29 in Atlanta — in the Houston Marathon in January.

“It was a good race. I just wanted to see what shape I’m in right now. It’s a very good preparation for the trials,” the Kailua resident and former Hawaii Pacific University runner said.

Maui runners sweep Kama’aina awards

Maui’s Matt Holton and Malia Crouse claimed the Kama’aina awards for runners born and residing in Hawaii.

Holton, of Kula, finished in 2:42:36 to win the award for the fourth time. Crouse finished at 3:12:25.

Holton, a member of Maui High’s track and field state championship team in 1995, had three previous kama’aina wins and trip to train in Kenya in January injected new motivation to his runs.

“It really inspired me and helped me get my act together and get organized,” he said.

Crouse, who grew up in Pukalani, said she went out too fast and labored down the stretch but was able to keep it together heading into the park.

“I had a rough race so to still pull it out, I was really, really happy,” said Crouse, who started Maui Running Company in 2016 and helps organize the Maui Marathon.

Soejima keeps wheelchair streak alive

Masazumi Soejima won his 13th men’s wheelchair title and seventh straight with a winning time of 1:35:37. Seiji Tanaka was second in 2:06:13 and Grant Berthiaume finished third in 2:17:25.

Megan O’Neil won the women’s race in 2:48:08.

Christine Greer was second in 2:54:39 and Dawna Zane was third in 3:33:29.

Chun, Dill still have perfect attendance

Jerold Chun and Gary Dill are 47-for-47, having finished every Honolulu Marathon since the the first one in 1973. Chun finished in 5:02:04 and Dill at 8:27:05.

Stanley Lee and Jason Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser