Still Running for the Kids

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes

The second and third races out of five in the Kualapu`u School 5K race series took place on March 26 and April 2 on the Coffees of Hawaii course.  In the second race, new winners in three out of four categories sped away from the field of 35 runners.  Overall winner and boys’ under 18 champ, Kaimana Kahale, set a new course record of 22:38 for the off-road 5K distance.  Other first-time division winners included Noelani Helm, a fourth grade Kualapu`u School student who ran a personal record while setting a new girls’ under 18 record of 28:46; and Matt Helm, local volleyball coach legend, who breezed to a 28:28 time to win the men’s division.  Race three was the final determining race for the Kualapu`u School traveling team of four boys and four girls that will race on Oahu on May 1 in the Honolulu 5K for Kids. At the conclusion of the meet, final team selections were announced by Principal, Lydia Trinidad.  The following students were selected to compete on Oahu – Mary Rose Ringor, Mary Grace Ringor, Noelani Helm, Genevieve Kikukawa, Nainoa Kahale, Noah Donnelly, Rafael Adolpho, and Kekama Naeole-Starkey.

Complete results:

Boys under 18
March 26                            April 2
1.    Kaimana Kahale – 22:38                Nainoa Kahele – 25:24
2.    Luke Kikukawa – 25:32                    Kekama Naeole-Starkey – 26:26
3.    Nainoa Kahale – 25:55                    Noah Donnelly – 26:33
4.    Rafael Adolpho – 26:01                    Rafael Adolpho – 26:56
5.    Kekama Naeole-Starkey – 27:02                Kahili Helm – 27:24

Girls under 18
March 26                            April 2
1.    Noelani Helm – 28:46                    Mary Rose Ringor – 29:28
2.    Genevieve Kikukawa – 34:48                Mary Grace Ringor – 29:45
3.    Yasemin Soares – 35:42                    Noelani Helm – 30:21   
4.    Susan Donnelly – 35:42                    Genevieve Kikukawa – 31:22
5.    Alea Davis – 36:16                    Yasemin Soares – 38:15

Men’s 18 and over
March 26                            April 2
1.    Matt Helm – 28:28                    Michaiah Soares – 28:40
2.    Pete Colman – 28:48                    James Espaniola – 30:51
3.    Ryan Link – 28:48                    Marshall Joy – 32:27
4.    Ian Haskins – 30:27
5.    Steven Stevensen – 35:21

Women’s 18 and over
March 26                            April 2
1.    Sue Forbes – 23:01                    Sue Forbes – 22:36
2.    Alestra Menendez – 25:36                Erica Stein – 28:00
3.    Traci Stevensen – 29:01                    Margie McPhee – 28:11
4.    Katina Soares – 29:52                    Jenn Vass – 30:47
5.    Petey Bender – 30:46                    Kellie McCormack – 40:11

Two more races are scheduled as tune-ups and fundraisers for the team on April 9 and 23. Monies to fund team travel to the Honolulu 5K for Kids come from adult registration donations. Race organizers have collected a little over $700 so far, but still need to raise another $800.   Please come out to support Molokai’s first elementary running team and “Do 5 for the Kids” at our next Saturday event.