Registration is down this year for a 5-kilometer run organized by two Punahou School students to benefit the homeless.
The third annual Homeward Bound 5K kicks off at 7 a.m. Sunday at Manoa Valley District Park and concludes there. Proceeds go to the Institute for Human Services, Oahu’s largest homeless shelter.
Organizers Tama Fukuyama and Maya Grossmann raised more than $15,000 the first year for IHS, and more than $18,000 last year.
About 300 people pre-registered in 2009, and last year about 350 people did, said IHS spokeswoman Kate Record.
As of Tuesday, slightly more than 100 people had registered for Sunday’s event.
"Our goal right now is just to get as many race participants as possible," Grossmann said.
Fukuyama and Grossmann have planned and executed the run/walk since their sophomore year. Fittingly, the idea came while the girls — who are on the crosscountry and track teams at Punahou — were running together.
"She (Fukuyama) just kind of turned to me when she was running and said, ‘Hey, lets put on a race,’" Grossmann said. "I answered impulsively and said, ‘Yeah, why not?’"
The girls obtained three city permits, had the course officially sanctioned and bought insurance.
"I’m not going to lie, there have been times Tama and I weren’t sure we were actually going to get this race going," Grossmann said. "Somehow, it just works out."
Because the girls are seniors, they’ve picked two sophomore teammates to manage the race when they’re away at college.
"We just love having them and knowing that the race is going to be in good hands next year," Grossmann said.
Online registration through the IHS website at www.ihshawaii.org is $15 through today. The registration fee increases to $30 on race day.
Registration or donations can also be arranged by calling IHS at 447-2800.
