As the sun disappeared over the ocean on Friday, Lavaman weekend ignited in Waikoloa with the fifth annual Sunset Run 5K at Queens’ Marketplace.
Runners of all ages and skill levels were on hand to participate in the 5K race, which was presented by Bike Works Beach &Sports and serves as a fundraiser for the Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii’s (PATH) Bike Safety Education Program.
For the family of Diane Logan, Spencer Laux and Sawyer Laux, the Sunset Run also kicked off a busy weekend of activities. All three competed in Friday’s race, and both Spencer and Sawyer Laux will compete in the LavaKids Aquathlon this morning at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
“We like to run,” Spencer Laux said. “It gets us tired.”
For Logan, the events help the kids stay active.
The ever-expanding LavaKids events spawned out of the Lavaman race and have been a major boon for the community. In partnership with Club Rehab, the group hosts free Family Fun Runs monthly on Ane Keohokalole Highway, which usually feature a guest speaker and are open to all ages.
Many of the top local youth athletes have come through the various LavaKids branded races and programs, which not only provide a healthy outlet for keiki, but usually gives them something to strive for and improve upon.
The high school age group during the big race Sunday is expected to be one of the more competitive.
“These races are a great way to keep the kids healthy,” Logan said. “We have been doing the monthly LavaKids races since they started and we like to support them and PATH.”
Logan will wrap up the family’s weekend with Lavaman Waikoloa, an Olympic distance triathlon, featuring a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run. She will being doing the run portion of the race as part of a relay team.
It’s Logan’s first Lavaman experience and also her first relay race.
“I close the run because I can’t swim or bike,” Logan said with a laugh. “My goal is to finish upright.
Friday’s 5K race is one of four major race productions that PATH puts on during the year. The others are the Run for Hops, held earlier this month in conjunction with the Kona Brewers Festival, Run for the Dry Forest, and the PATH Run, which is held annually the Sunday before the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
