Also check out our
Current Articles page to see what the press has written about this year's race.
Zakharova wins 3rd women’s title at age 39
Svetlana Zakharova won her third Honolulu Marathon women's title on Sunday, her first appearance here since winning in 2002. The 39-year-old from Russia finished in two hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds.
(click to enlarge images)
She was the oldest competitor in the women’s elite field.
Defending champion Kiyoko Shimahara of Japan was second in 2:29:53, Pamela Chepchumba of Kenya was third in 2:32:41, followed by Kaori Yoshida of Japan in 2:35:46, and 2003 winner Eri Hayakawa in 2:44:33.
Even though more than 60 percent of the field has been from Japan since the early 1990s, Hayashida and Shimahara are the only Japanese to win Honolulu titles.
Zakharova, the oldest women in the elite field, said the race went as she planned. She said he wanted to run with a group of women, but at the 30-kilometer mark she felt she could go faster and broke away from the other women leaders. She said she had a minor knee problem but said ``I felt confident and it didn't cause too much trouble.''
After seven years, Zakharova said she was happy to be back in Honolulu.
She won her first Honolulu title in 1997 under the maiden name of Vasilieva. She also finished second in Honolulu on five occasions.
Ivuti repeats as Honolulu Marathon Men’s Champion
Patrick Ivuti of Kenya pulled away from several other elite runners at the 25-kilometer mark and then held on to win his second consecutive Honolulu Marathon on Sunday. His time was two hours, 12 minutes and 14 seconds, more than a minute off the 2:11:12 record set by his brother-in-law and six-time winner Jimmy Muindi in 2004.
(click to enlarge images)
With cool temperatures and no wind, a pack of eight set a torrid pace from the start, running sub-five-minute miles for the first 10 miles, and race officials in the pace vehicle predicted a new record. The pack had dropped to three when Ivuti made his move at the turn into Hawaii Kai round the 25-kilometer mark.
But the torrid early pace took its toll on the return to the Kapiolani Park finish line. Ivuti's pace dropped to 5:24 at the 22-mile mark, and 5:43 at mile 24, which included the Diamond Head hill. Still, his 2:12:14 finish was faster than his 2:14:35 winning time last year.
Ivuti said after the race that it wasn't his goal to set a record but just to repeat as winner. He said he was slowed by soreness in his legs in the latter part of the race. He said that after winning the Prague marathon in record time of 2:07:48 last May, winning in Honolulu capped a good year. ``I'm happy; why shouldn't I be?'' he said after the race.
Nicholas Chelimo of Kenya was second in 2:13:10, and Whilliam Chebon, also of Kenya, was third in 2:14:59. Muindi was fourth in 2:17:17. It was an all-Kenyan elite field.
Chelimo said that around the 40-kilometer mark, he thought he might be able to catch Ivuti, but it wasn't to be and Ivuti held on.
A total of 23,248 runners registered for the race, with more than 60 percent coming from Japan.
DEFENDING WOMEN'S CHAMPION MEETS STUDENTS
Honolulu Marathon defending women's champion Kiyoko Shimahara told a group of high school students that she is happy to be back in Hawaii and is doing her best to win again this year.
Kiyoko Shimahara asked students
for good places to eat |
Shimahara tried a few hula moves |
Shimahara, who is from Japan, met with students in an advanced Japanese language class at St. Francis School in Honolulu on Friday. Her talk, including questions and answers, was conducted entirely in Japanese. Her agent, Brendan Reilly, translated for the media.
The class in unison wished her good luck and individually introduced themselves, and Shimahara told them a little about herself. She said she started running in high school and now, at age 32, has been running 17 years. ``I would always try to get stronger and better but I didn't think it would take until age 32,'' she said through the interpreter.
Shimahara answered a variety of questions, saying her running shoes are custom-made for her by a Japanese company, that while in Hawaii she would like to see more of the beautiful mountains and ocean, and that she not only doesn't have a car but doesn't even have a driver's license.
Asked what kind of food she likes, she said, ``There is nothing I don't like. For running, I can eat almost anything.'' She admitted her fondness for cheeseburgers. She asked the students for suggestions on where to eat and where to find a good ice cream parlor. The students, instead, recommended a frozen yogurt shop.
With Christmas approaching, the students sang ``Silent Night'' in Japanese for her, and did a popular Japanese cheer.
At the end of her visit, one student taught Shimahara a few hula steps.
The defending champion won last year's women’s division race in two hours, 32 minutes and 36 seconds, finishing 14th overall. In August, she broke the course record at the Hokkaido Marathon with a 2:25:10 finish, and was second in the Yokohama Women's Marathon in mid-November in 2:28:51.
JAKE DAZZLES MARATHON LUAU AUDIENCE
Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro dazzled runners and their guests at the annual Honolulu Marathon Luau and Concert, urging the runners to ``have a great time and have fun'' during Sunday's race.
Crowd reacts to Jake Shimabukuro |
Jake Shimabukuro performing his ninth straight Honolulu Marathon luau concert |
Thousands attended the luau and concert for the 37th Honolulu Marathon |
Several thousand people turned out for the luau and concert under clear skies Friday night at the Waikiki Shell, where Shimabukuro particularly extended congratulations to those running the marathon for the first time. He ran the race the first time three years ago, saying it was ``one of the best experiences of my life.''
Shimabukuro called he Honolulu race ``the best marathon in the world.'' He has been a regular performer at race events, also appearing
twice this year at the Marathon Expo and will perform again on Sunday at the post-race program.
He performed the song ``Sunday Morning,'' dedicating it to those who will be running in the 5 a.m. race on Sunday morning.
He also played ``In My Life,'' which he performed the previous Monday for Queen Elizabeth II in Blackpool, England. He said meeting the queen following the concert was ``the most amazing experience. She was so gracious.''
Shimabukuro, who has a large following in Japan, thanked the many Japanese in attendance for coming to Hawaii. Since the early 1990's Japanese runners have made up more than 60 percent of the Honolulu Marathon entrants.
Also performing at the concert were the duo of Cecilio and Kapono and Nohelani Cypriano.
The luau is the largest catered one-day event in Hawaii, according to Centerplate, the caterer.
A staff of ten chefs and cooks prepared meals for about 7,500 people. Included were 500 pounds of rainbow pasta, 600 pounds of spaghetti with 120 gallons of marinara sauce, 1,250 pounds of chicken, 1,000 pounds of mahimahi, 1,500 pounds of race and 1,000 pounds of pineapple.
MARATHON ECONOMIC IMPACT EXPECTED TO HOLD
Last year, the Honolulu Marathon pumped an estimated $101 million into Hawaii's economy, according to an impact study. And, despite the economy, the director of the study predicts that this year's impact will not change.
(click to enlarge images)
``I think this year will be very close to last year,'' said Jerry Agrusa, professor of travel industry management at Hawaii Pacific University.
About 75 HPU students directed by Agrusa have been circulating through the Marathon Expo asking runners from outside Hawaii to complete a 19-question survey. A preliminary look at the completed forms indicates the marathon visitors are staying in Honolulu longer and are spending more than last year, he said.
The number of Japanese entrants is running strong, Agrusa said, noting a favorable yen exchange rate and that young Japanese are known as spenders. While the overall number of Japanese visitors to Hawaii has dropped in recent years, the number coming for the marathon has remained constant, he said.
``Europeans appear strong and are spending money,'' Agrusa said. ``But I believe people from California will spend less due to the very poor economy in that state.''
This is the eighth year for the survey, which asks 1,500 visiting runners such questions as how much they spend, how long they stay in Hawaii, whether they plan to visit a neighbor island, and how many people accompanied them. About 1,000 of the surveys are taken from Japanese, who make up more than 60 percent of the field, and 500 from U.S. mainland and European runners.
``This project gives the students a chance to use what they learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world,'' Agrusa said. ``They get to see a large major event up close and see the magnitude of what it is like to bring in 20,000 people.''
Tomomi Sugino, a student from Japan, helped with the surveys for the third year. ``I enjoy it,'' she said, adding that she gets extra credit for the class she takes with Agrusa.
``Some people ignore me when I approach them, but when I mention college, they want to help.'' she said.
My Biriell, an exchange student from Sweden, said the Japanese runners are particularly kind and want to help, while Americans are less willing to fill out the forms.
Agrusa hopes to have a report ready in March.
KENYAN STAR VISITS HAWAII SCHOOL GIRLS
A student asked six-time Honolulu Marathon winner Jimmy Muindi his favorite place to run. He quickly responded, ``Honolulu,'' drawing applause from the varsity and junior varsity cross-county teams at Honolulu's St. Andrew's Priory.
(click to enlarge images)
He drew more applause later when asked if this was his first visit to Hawaii. ``No, it's my 16th,'' he said.
Muindi on Thursday visited the Priory, an all-girls private school, chatting not only with the cross-country runners but also a second-grade class that had recently studied the African continent. He drew laughter when he told the older girls that his 15-year-old daughter doesn't like running, although his ten-year-old son does.
The trip to Honolulu is a long one, the Kenyan native said, involving a five-hour flight from Nairobi to Dubai, a 15-hour flight to San Francisco, and then a five-hour flight to Honolulu. Besides their running talent, ``Kenyans have another great talent - being able to sleep on airplanes,'' said Zane Branson, Muindi's manager.
Muindi answered questions about his training regimen and diet, drawing cheers from the second-graders when he said peanut butter is a favorite.
He also donned a red cross-country team t-shirt and posed for a group photo with the team.
Later he told the younger girls he started running as a young boy and enjoys the sport because it allows him to earn money and make a lot of friends.
When one of the girls asked if he likes Kenya, he said, ``I love my country.''
The girls sang a song in Swahili, another African language, and also sang a Christmas song for him.
In return, Muindi presented the girls with a framed map of Kenya, a copy from his country's national museum.
Asked what motivated him to make the school visit, he said, ``I love to be around people and to encourage young ones to be like me or better. I go to schools to encourage them.
``It's part of me,'' he said. ``I love kids. It gives me joy.''
The six-time Honolulu winner set the coures record of two hours, 11 minutes and 12 seconds in 2004.
MARATHON PACKET PICK-UP, EXPO OPEN
Sohmei Narimatsu was first in one of two long lines when the Honolulu Marathon opened its doors Wednesday morning for participants to pick up their running numbers for Sunday's race.
Narimatsu, of Kyoto, Japan, had been waiting an hour with hundreds of runners lining up behind him, snaking through the lobby of the Hawaii Convention Center.
He said he came to Hawaii ``to see the sights'' as well as run the marathon.
(click to enlarge images)
Another early arrival was an excited Rolly Casison of Honolulu, who will be running the marathon for the first time. ``I'm feeling energetic, and I'm very much looking forward to it,'' he said.
Jose Figueroa, clad in his Army fatigues, also arrived about an hour early. The native of Puerto Rico is stationed at nearby Fort Shafter, and is leading a team of 23 runners from his unit. He will be running his 24th marathon, his third in Honolulu.
Also waiting to pick up their numbers were members of a Japanese tour group, lead by their guides wearing pink T-shirts and red Santa Claus caps. Entrants from Japan since the early 1990s have made up more than 60 percent of the total.
The latest count showed 22,206 participants have entered Sunday's 26.2-mile race, but the number is expected to increase with late registrations.
After picking up their numbers, many of the runners moved into the adjoining Honolulu Marathon Expo, where a variety of vendors offered goods and services. The smell of analgesic balm filled the air as runners sought to ease their sore muscles.
``The number of vendors is about the same as last year,'' said Dennis Swart, assistant manager of the Expo. ``We have a lot of new vendors, and it's not all just running gear.''
The booths include artisans offering jewelry, clothing and Hawaiian artifacts as well as an insurance and investment company. The store offering official Marathon T-shirts and other attire and souvenirs did a brisk early business.
A Honolulu restaurant offering free chili-and-rice samples was a big hit with the early arrivals.
LYAU INDUCTED INTO HONOLULU MARATHON HALL OF FAME
Jonathan Lyau started running during his sophomore year at Honolulu's McKinley High School
in hopes of improving his chances of making the school basketball team. But he discovered
running - and marathons - and never went back to basketball.
Lyau entered his first Honolulu Marathon that year - 1979 - and will be competing for the
27th time this year. One of Hawaii's top distance runners who has dominated the Hawaii field
in the race, he has won the Kama`aina Award for the first-place Hawaii-born male finisher 15 of
the last 16 years, including the last three.
On Thursday, Lyau was inducted into the marathon's Hall of Fame, hailed as "a great kama`aina
champion" by Honolulu Marathon Association President Jim Barahal.
"As a loyal competitor through thick and thin since the late 1970s, Lyau exemplifies the true
spirit of Hawaii's largest sporting event," the citation said.
Lyau called the award "a great honor", saying he felt humbled and has "never won
anything like this before." The 45-year-old added, "I'm not the fastest, and feel
like I'm being rewarded for my longevity." He said it was a matter of perseverance, noting
that he didn't win his first kama`aina award until he finished his eleventh marathon.
"If you start something and enjoy it, keep it going and make it fun," he said.
Lyau said that when his kama`aina streak ends, he will still run the Honolulu Marathon.
"It's the people's race and I'm one of the people" he said.
Media Inquiries
Pat Bigold at (808) 927-1156
