Published September 23, 2011 01:38PM
New Pre-Kona Tradition: The Pau Hana Sunset 10K
While you’ll see a few hundred people don boxers, briefs, bikinis and boyshorts for the annual Underpants Run during Ironman week, Kona-bound athletes (who arrive to the Big Island early enough) can partake in a new pre-Kona tradition: the K-Swiss Pau Hana Sunset 10K Run and Walk, a Benefit for the American Cancer Society.
While you’ll see a few hundred people don boxers, briefs, bikinis and boyshorts for the annual Underpants Run during Ironman week, Kona-bound athletes (who arrive to the Big Island early enough) can partake in a new pre-Kona tradition: the K-Swiss Pau Hana Sunset 10K Run and Walk, a Benefit for the American Cancer Society.
The first-ever running of the race will take place on Friday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., starting from The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows on the Kohala Coast. And it already has quite the starting list. Pro triathletes Tim DeBoom, Luke Bell, Belinda Granger, Hillary Biscay, Matt Lieto, Joe Gambles, Fraser Cartmell and Bree Wee have all signed up to run. And reigning Kona champ Mirinda Carfrae and Tim O’Donnell will be there to cheer on participants and hand out prizes. Other pros rumored to be attending (and possibly racing) are Maik Twelsiek, Joanna Lawn and Cameron Brown.
Many pros are using the event as a pre-Ironman training run while also giving back to the Hawaii community by supporting an invaluable cause. The 10K run course will take place on the Mauna Lani’s famous Francis H. I’i Brown North golf course, the same location as the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii run. Title sponsor K-Swiss has thrown its support behind the event by donating “K-Swiss dream bags” for category winners and T-shirts for all participants. Numerous other prizes will be up for grabs too.
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After the run, participants and friends and family are invited to enjoy a fun-filled awards ceremony and a ‘Pau Hana’ (meaning ‘after work’ in Hawaiian) outdoor BBQ with live music.
Whether you’re looking to get in a fun pre-Ironman run or rub shoulders with the pros, head over to the Mauna Lani for an unofficial start to the Hawaii Ironman festivities.