It’s long been considered the ultimate "People’s Marathon" with no qualifying times needed nor cutoff time for finishing.
Sunday’s 40th edition of the Honolulu Marathon will be no different, again welcoming all ages and abilities from all countries and all walks — or runs — of life.
Three teachers at St. Andrew’s Priory are the perfect slice of the entry pie of some 30,000. Their ages range from 28 to 58, their goals from sub-5 hour to "just finish."
Krystle Osaki, the 28-year-old, teaches third grade.
Hao Yang, 36, teaches Mandarin Chinese.
And Vicki Lepick teaches religion.
Diverse backgrounds and interests but the same goal. Meet up after crossing the Kapiolani Park finish line wearing the finisher’s traditional shell lei.
They all have crossed ‘marathon’ off their respective bucket lists. Now it’s about continuing to run as a healthy way of life.
"When I turned 30, I started running because of wanting to be healthy," said Yang, entered in her fifth marathon. "I joined the Nike Running Club. Then a friend suggested we do a marathon.
"We heard about the Honolulu Marathon Clinic and really got into it. The clinic is really wonderful, helps you train and be prepared. My first was 2007 and I only missed one, the year that I was pregnant."
Lepick’s encouragement came from her husband Mark, a longtime runner who has done more than 30 marathons.
"I thought I’d give it a shot," said Lepick, ready for her fourth marathon. "I was surprised I could do it.
"The fun thing about the marathon is it has everyone there. People who are really good, people who may walk it. But everyone is out there together. There are people who cheer you on all the way, the bands, the water stations. Everyone is helping you finish."
Lepick hadn’t decided whether to run this year. But while training with Osaki earlier this year, they met an elderly man also out running.
"He had to be in his early 80s," Lepick said. "He said he hoped we were going to do the marathon. I hadn’t quite decided yet but he told me, ‘The great thing about the marathon is you have 100 victories along the way.’
"It’s true. You pass someone. You pick up your pace. You finish."
There seems to be as many lessons to pass on to their students as training miles logged.
"I think the marathon is like a lot of the things in life," Yang said. "You don’t think you can do it and then you do. You set a goal and you accomplish it. You are being active and it encourages them to do the same."
"You definitely have to put in the work, you know when you haven’t trained enough," Lepick said. "It’s all about the process and that’s the lesson."
Part of that is rote as well as muscle and mental memory. Osaki and Lepick run together weekly, concentrating on the in and back part of the course around Diamond Head.
"When you know the course, you know where the hills are," said Osaki, entered in her third race. "And you know you can finish. But that last … two miles coming around the corner always seems so long."
The three all were inspired Thursday when the Priory hosted Wilson Kipsang, the world’s top marathoner and favorite to win Sunday’s race. Kipsang autographed the finisher’s shirts the women wore from previous marathons.
"I never imagined when I was in third grade here that I’d ever do a marathon," said Osaki, a Priory alumna. "I wasn’t athletic, played a little tennis.
"And now we’re meeting these world-class runners and Olympians. We’ll see them pass us on the way back (to the finish). And we can say we met them."
Part of the physical education program at the Priory includes running various distances according to grade level.
"The girls try to get our sympathy when they have to do a mile," Lepick said. "They don’t even try that on me any more."
REC CENTER
Entry list set for big-wave event
Twenty-one of the world’s top big wave surfers, including Hawaii’s John John Florence, Kala Alexander, Shane Dorian, Jamie O’Brien and Bruce Irons, have accepted invitations to compete in the inaugural Red Bull Jaws, Paddle at Pe‘ahi off Maui.
The holding period for the single-day paddle-out event begins today and runs through March 16. Conditions must have face heights between 30 and 50 feet with no tow-in help.
Rounding out the list are Hawaii’s Kohn Christensen, Mark Healey, Albee Layer, Garrett McNamara, Makua Rothman, Ian Walsh and Dave Wassel. Also expected to compete are Californians Nate Fletcher and Greg Long; Brazilians Carlos Burle; Ramon Navarro of Chile; Australia’s Jeff Rowley; and Grant "Twiggy" Baker from South Africa.
» redbullusa.com/jaws.
Boxing event at Palolo
The eighth Clint Shelton Memorial, a boxing event honoring the late Palolo Boxing Club fighter, is set for Saturday and Sunday at the Palolo District Park gym
Twenty bouts are scheduled with fighters representing Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Kauai. The main event both days will pit 2011 USA Boxing national champion Haley Pasion against Franci Davila out of Kauai PAL. Nationally ranked Kalai McShane and Justly Laquihon are also competing.
Competition starts at 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Admission is $12.
» amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
USAV’s Kessel featured at clinics
John Kessel, USA Volleyball’s director of sport development, is the featured clinician at this weekend’s Aloha Region Juniors coaches and players clinics at the Le Jardin Academy gym.
The clinics are divided into three age groups. Saturday’s clinic is for coaches and youth 11-and-under from 1-4 p.m. Sunday’s clinics are for 12-and-under and 14-and-under from 8 to 11 a.m. ; and from 1-4 p.m. for 16-and-under and 18-and-under.
Participants must be registered USAV members. The cost is $10 for players due at registration, which is 30 minutes prior to each clinic.
» aloharegionjuniors.org.
Koko Crater Stables open house
Christmas photos on horseback is part of Saturday’s open house at Koko Crater Stables.
The event runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the stables inside the Koko Head Botanical Garden off Kealahou Street in Hawaii Kai. Photo opportunities are $8 per family. The stables also are offering riding lesson packages starting at $120.
» kokocraterstables.net.
Lanikai Canoe Club hosts event
Lanikai Canoe Club’s 20th Cold Pack Classic, a paddling event featuring races for men, women and keiki, is scheduled for Dec. 15, at Lanikai Beach.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Lanikai Community Park with races starting at 9:30 a.m. off the Kai ‘Olena beach access.
Competition is in OC1, OC2, SUP and surf ski. Some GECKO kids OC1s will be available for use for ages 12-and-under who don’t have a canoe.
The keiki race opens the event at 9:30 a.m. on a quarter-mile course. There is also lifeguard flag beach competition following the races.
The long course is approximately 5.5 miles and the short course 3.5 miles, depending on weather conditions. Women’s and father-child OC2 competitions start at 10:45 a.m. and men’s and mixed OC2 at noon.
Entry fee is $20, which includes lunch and awards. It is free for keiki.
For information, call 524-6677.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
SATURDAY
BMX
Island BMX: Registration, 4 p.m.; racing, 5 p.m. Sandbox track, Sand Island. islandbmx.org.
BOXING
8th Clint Shelton Memorial: 6 p.m., Palolo District Park gym. amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
Hawaii Silver Gloves: 6 p.m., Wahiawa District Park gym. amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
EQUESTRIAN
Koko Crater Stables: Open house, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. kokocraterstables.net.
KAYAKING
Hui Wa’a Kaukahi: Hawaii Kai to Kahala, 4 miles. 9 a.m., Maunalua Bay Beach Park. huiwaa.org.
LAWN BOWLS
Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., HLBC Clubhouse, Ala Moana Park. honolululawnbowls.com.
MOTOCROSS
Mauka to Makai: With Ricky Carmichael. Gates open, 6 a.m., Kahuku Motocross Track. ridehma.com.
SURFING
Billabong Pipe Masters: 8 a.m., Ehukai Beach Park. Conditions permitting. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
SUNDAY
BOXING
8th Clint Shelton Memorial: 10 a.m., Palolo District Park gym. amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
Hawaii Silver Gloves: 6 p.m., Wahiawa District Park gym. amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
HIKING
Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club: Moanalua Valley to Ko’olau crest. 12 miles. 8 a.m., Iolani Palace. htmclub.org.
KAYAKING
Hui Wa’a Kaukahi: Coconut Island. 8:30 a.m., Heeia Kea Pier. huiwaa.org.
MOTOCROSS
Mauka to Makai: With Keanu Asing. Gates open, 6 a.m., Kahuku Motocross Track. ridehma.com.
RUNNING
40th Honolulu Marathon: 5 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. honolulumarathon.org
SURFING
Billabong Pipe Masters: 8 a.m., Ehukai Beach Park. Conditions permitting. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
SIGN ME UP
BASKETBALL
AAU Tryouts and clinics: Through Open Court Basketball. Sundays starting Jan. 6, Palama Settlement Gym. Boys & girls, ages 8-15. Information: Geremy Robinson, 757-1714. opencourthawaii.com.
BEACH CLEANUP
Sunset Beach: With pro surfer Anastasia Ashley. 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sunset Beach Park. Giveaways for all volunteers. surfrider.org/oahu.
FOOD DRIVE
4th IT&B Food Drive: Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Island Triathlon & Bike, 569 Kapahulu Ave. Prizes for top can donations. Free bike tune-up with 12 cans. Call ahead to schedule a tuneup time. Information: 732-7227 .
SOCCER
I Got Skills Clinic Series: Eight-week program begins Jan. 7. Boys and girls, ages 6-14. Igotskillscamps.com.
SOFTBALL
Honolulu RipTide Girls 12-U Team: Looking for players. Experience preferred but not necessary: Information: 375-7733.
