Mosch wins EMS 3.1-mile run

HILO — Two-time Big Island Interscholastic Federation cross-country Chris Mosch led the Hawaii Island Emergency Medical Services 3.1-mile run from start to finish and earned the win on Sunday.

Mosch won his BIIF titles in 2010 and 2011 while attending Honokaa and is now attending the University of Oregon where he runs for a Club Team.

“I grabbed an early lead in the first 100 yards and was pretty much running by myself after that,” he said.

Finishing in a time of 17 minutes and 30 seconds, the former Dragon was never seriously challenged.

Hiromasa Veno placed second in 17:51. Nick Muragin (18:11) took third, Lyman Perry (18:18) was fourth and Hilo High star Stephen Hunter (18:30) claimed fifth.

Molly Schmelzle was the first woman to cross the finish line in 19:42, good enough for 14th overall. The second woman was another prep star from Hilo High School in Carmen Garson-Shumway, who clocked 21:34 and finished 27th overall. Viking teammate Mehana Sabado-Halpern followed as the third woman, 29th place overall.

A Special Public Service Division award to recognize the top male and top female in public community service has been a tradition at the EMS 5K runs and two very familiar people, both from the same department, was again in the winner’s circle.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources crowned the top male and female from the same office and has bragging rights to the fastest 5K runners.

Lisa Hadway won the Public Safety Division for the sixth time, and Lyman Perry won his fourth.

A record number of 934 people laced up their sneakers early Sunday morning to participate in the races. For the serious at heart, there was a 3.1-mile run, while casual walkers got to do a fitness two-mile walk. Both events started and finished at Liliuokalani Gardens.