Runners, stories aplenty at Kona Marathon in Waikoloa

WAIKOLOA — The start line is a finish line of sorts for Kona Marathon race director Sharron Faff.

After months of lead-up and hard work, all of the anxious faces — and the countless stories behind them — remind her of what keeps her excited and coming back year after year.

It also means race day has finally arrived.

“When they start, it’s the beginning of their race, but they had to be so determined to even to get to that start line,” Faff said. “Once you start talking to these people about why they are running, it’s just amazing. There are so many stories that really display the human spirit. To me, it doesn’t matter when they finish. They are all winners in my book.”

More than 1,500 athletes are expected take on the 24th edition of Kona Marathon today, trekking through the event’s marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and 5K courses. The marathon kicks off the day at 5:30 a.m., with the half marathon following at 6 a.m, the 5K at 6:45 a.m. and the quarter marathon at 7 a.m.

The runners have come from far and wide, including all 50 states and 12 different countries. But more than a handful are also on-island racers, like Paauilo Elementary School student, Kyle Ignacio.

Ignacio, 10, will not only be one of the youngest runners in the field, but he is also going for the rare half marathon triple-triple-triple. That entails completing the Hilo, Kona and Volcano half marathons three times over. It’s something a runner even triple his age would have a hard time accomplishing.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Ignacio said of his half marathon crusade he started back when he was 8 years old. “Sometimes it can be hard, but you just have to work your way through it. I usually just eat one of my gels or bars to keep going.”

If he finishes the Kona Marathon, as expected, the Volcano half marathon on Aug. 19 will be his last hurdle.

Where the young runner got his talent for running long distances is still a mystery to his mother, Kendra, who will be doing the full 26.2-mile marathon.

“He does not train. It drives me crazy,” she said with a laugh. “I shouldn’t say he doesn’t train, but it’s very different compared to what adults have to do. He runs around the yard with his friends. Where he gets the distance from, I really don’t know.”

So what really keeps his little legs going?

“He likes beating people,” his grandpa, Don Choquette said. “He’s competitive.”

Choquette will be running in the 5K, making it a generational event for the trio.

On the other end of the spectrum, the ever-smiling duo of Jon Kunitake and Jeannie Wokasch-Parente represent the old guard at the Kona Marathon. Kunitake was one of the founders of the event, while Wokasch is the all-time leader in wins at the race, with eight titles.

“Nobody wins a marathon eight times,” Kunitake said recalling Wokasch-Parente’s dominance at the event. “She’s amazing.”

Wokasch-Parente’s first win came in 1996, and her last was in 2006. With her name already ingrained in the history of the race, it’s now more about running into old friends rather than passing them on the course.

“I’m always so happy to be here. It’s like family,” said Wokasch-Parente, who lives on Oahu. “I mean, I’ve spent half my life running here and it’s always a good time.”

Wokasch-Parente said she’s not quite sure how far she will run on race day, but Kunitake — on the other hand — has set the bar high. Sporting bib No. 1, he’s looking to make some noise in his 70-74 age group.

“If I finish, maybe I can win,” Kunitake said with a smile.

Jokes aside, Kunitake says he’s still amazed when he looks around and realizes what the event he started all those years ago has become.

“I can’t believe how long it’s lasted,” he said. “I could have never have expected anything like this, with people coming from all over.”

The duo in charge of knowing about those people from all over are race announcers Edgar “Eddie O” Ombac and Kalei Waiwaiole.

The pair have seen just about everything during their adventures behind the mics at the finish line — from hula hoops and cartwheels to marriage proposals and anniversary celebrations.

“It’s a total blast,” Ombac said. “After announcing at races for so long, you get to know people, so you feel a connection when they start coming in.”

“Everyone here has a story,” Waiwaiole added. “Once you realize that, it makes the finish line a very cool thing to be a part of.”

It’s a tall task to be the voices that bring in the runners and get the crowd going. It’s an all day affair in the sun, with a ton of storylines to keep track of.

There are people finishing their first marathon, and others who are hitting a milestone in the high-hundreds. Someone might be completing their 50th marathon in their 50th state, while another might be celebrating a birthday. They do their best to recognize all of them accordingly.

“You get so caught up in it,” Ombac said. “Sometimes I have to be reminded just to drink water.”

Both admitted they make it a point to keep the energy high as the afternoon hours start to heat up the course. When the final racers trickle in, that’s where their job gains an extra degree of importance.

“People are doing things they never thought they could do,” Waiwaiole said. “My ultimate goal as an announcer is to be there for the final person who finishes. You don’t want to miss that kind of stuff.”

Ombac had a similar take to his partner.

“I hate saying someone is the last finisher,” he said. “Because, really, they beat everyone who decided not to show up at the start line.”