Inspired athletes aplenty at Kona Marathon

Hundreds will line up for the start of the 22nd annual Kona Marathon on Sunday morning at Waikoloa Beach Resort, each motivated to cross the finishing tape for a particular reason.

Some are pushed simply by the desire to stay fit, or because they embrace the competition. Others are inspired to lace up their running shoes for a cause, charity, or in memory of a loved one.

Here are just some of the standout stories from this year’s Kona Marathon:

Toocheck’s vision

Nikolas Toocheck is running a marathon in each of the 50 states to raise money for the Seva Foundation — a nonprofit organization that provides critical vision care to people in need around the world.

Here’s the twist — Toocheck is only 12 years old. The slogan on his website reads, “You don’t have to be big to make a difference.”

But why this cause? Toocheck learned about this critical need through his father, who is an eye doctor that has volunteered all over the world, providing eye care to people in need.

“I can’t imagine not being able to see and I really hope that I can help change that for a lot of kids,” Toocheck said.

An estimated 500,000 children become blind each year. Most live in developing countries. By providing access to proper eye care, 80 percent of blindness and low-vision can be prevented or cured.

The idea of running to help others is not new to Toocheck. Already the youngest person in history to complete a marathon on each continent — which he accomplished at age 11 — Toocheck started a philanthropic campaign to help children in need called Running the World for Children. On his seven continent journey, he raised over $42,000 to provided more than 2,100 children in need with new winter coats.

To find out more, visit nikrunstheworld.com.

Making it 50 in the 50th

Finishing a marathon is an accomplishment. Finishing 50 marathons in all 50 states is a triumph few can say they have achieved.

If all goes as planned, six members of the 50 States Marthon Club will be wrapping up that journey on Sunday. Those runners are Cheryl Baumann, Diane Harty, Mark Kramer, Laura Labriola, Joe Redmond and Craig Thompson.

Paula and Steve Boone head up the running organization —which has more than 3,000 members nationwide. The couple estimated 40 of their members will be among the field on Sunday.

“We try to come every year and recommend it to our members who need to run Hawaii,” Steve Boone said. “The Honolulu Marathon is very big, so it’s not as personable. This race is on the beautiful Big Island and everyone treats us so nice. It makes us feel welcome.”

The Boone’s are coming up on 1,000 combined marathons. Steve is looking at finishing No. 610 on Sunday, while Paula is at 315.

Steve Boone has maintained a torrid pace through the years. He said he ran 46 marathons last year, including a stretch of seven marathons in seven states in just seven days.

How he keeps it up?

“Just being stupid,” he said with a laugh. “Doing them because they are there.”

Marathon Goddess continues journey

Julie Weiss — also known as the Marathon Goddess — completed 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer in 2013. She chose to run for the cause after losing her father to pancreatic cancer, just 35 days after diagnosis.

“I knew I had to do something big,” Weiss said. “That’s why I decided to run the 52 marathons.”

Her 11th stop on that trip was the Kona Marathon, which she refers to as “No. 11 — running in heaven.”

Now, Weiss is continuing her journey, shooting for 100 marathons. This time around, Kona will be her 89th — and of course — she has a slogan for her favorite stop.

“It’s No. 89 — running in the divine,” Weiss said with a smile. “I have this special connection to the islands because it is where I started running on the beach in 2007. Kona will always have a special place in my heart.”

Weiss has raised more than $300,000 for pancreatic cancer, and is part of the Project Purple team — a nonprofit group that raises money and awareness for pancreatic cancer. Along with research grants, the group also provides financial aid for families affected by the disease and scholarships to the children of pancreatic cancer patients.

“We need help now more than ever,” Weiss said. “The statistics are ridiculous. It’s the fourth largest killer of all cancers and the least funded of the top 10 cancers.”

Weiss, an ambassador for the Kona Marathon, was snapping photos and chatting with friends and fans at the health fair on Sunday. She was also doing what she loves most — hearing the stories of why people choose to do marathons.

“It makes me happy to hear everyone’s stories and inspires me to run,” she said. “When you run for a cause it means so much more knowing you are doing it for someone else.”

The weekend is also a celebration for Weiss. She will be celebrating her honeymoon with husband David Levine. Levine proposed at the finish line of the L.A. Marathon on March 15 and the couple got married in April.

“A honeymoon in Kona — it’s just perfect,” Weiss said.

For more on Weiss or to donate, visit marathongoddess.com.

Returning and former champions

Defending male marathon champion Thomas Sands will be wearing bib No. 2 on Sunday. He won the race in 2:48:37 last year.

Female champion Yuko Nakai will also be returning to defend her title, wearing No. 3. She finished the 26.2-mile race in 3:16:26 last year.

The titles were the first at the event for both Sands and Nakai.

Jeannie Wokasch — who has won the race eight times — will also be in the field on Sunday.

“I’ve been coming every year and I just love it,” Wokasch said. “These people are like my family. I really can’t say enough good things about the race.”

NOTES: Marilyn Povich will be celebrating her 50th birthday on Sunday with the half-marathon race…Lenice Hogan — a three-time stroke survivor — will be running to raise money and awareness for the cause in the half…47 states will be represented at the race…The race will be started by UCC Miss Kona Coffee Ariel Enriquez and UCC Miss Aloha Hawaii Keahi Delovio.