ANAHOLA — The COVID-19 pandemic could not break the tradition of the Labor Day Hare and Hound races that were held over the Labor Day weekend in Anahola, presented by the Garden Island Motorcycle Club.
“We had a lot of discussion with the county,” said Bertram Almeida of the GIMC. “In the end, we ended up running the A Class, or expert division, on Saturday, and the B Class, or beginner division, on Sunday. These would normally be run together, but because of the social distancing and gathering rules, we had to break into two separate days. In the B Class, we had riders younger than 17 years old. We had to limit their parents who came to provide support.”
Additionally, Almeida said there were more than 70 riders registered for the two-day event — the 66th Annual GIMC Hare and Hound Races — that was moved to Anahola instead of the traditional Oma‘o course.
“These are all-Kaua‘i,” Almeida said. “There were no riders participating from O‘ahu, Maui, or the Big Island.”
In addition to the limited spectator event, there was little, if any, pre-race marketing to keep the crowds from gathering.
“Mahalo to all our supporters, volunteers, and riders who made this event a huge success,” Almeida said in a social media message.
During Saturday’s running of the A Class, Travis Talbo earned the top overall spot after completing the A Blackbelt, or “riders have raced, or inspire to be in a race on a Pro level, nationally or internationally” course in just 96 minutes, 25 seconds (based on an 8 a.m. start) with 16 checks.
Chance Daly followed two minutes back to claim the second overall spot. Marshall Camara, Eljay Camat, and Daniel Hurtado rounded out the Top 5 Overall Saturday riders.
Kalen Kimura, finishing the B Class, Open Division on a 104 minutes, 38 seconds with 16 checks, filled in the B Class Overall winners during Sunday’s racing. Aaron Namuo, completing the course three minutes back of Kimura, filled in the No. 2 spot followed by Clyde Souza Jr., Braden Peralta, the top finisher in the Juniors 18 and Under division with a ride of 109 minutes, seven seconds and 16 checks.
Noah Murray, Ryder Guest, Kamakana Waiwaiole-Kahalepuna, Duane Silva Rhodny Basug, and Kawai Peahu made up the Top 10 B Class Overall leaderboard.
Results:
A Masters 45-Plus: Cain Robinson 16 checks, Time in: 10:25:08 (8 a.m. start), Jonathan Medeiros 16 checks, 10:33:56, Eric Anama 16 checks, 10:40:16, Gelston Dwight 16 checks, 10:40:16, Kaipo Pavao 15 checks, 10:20:12.
A Vets 35-Plus: Marshall Camara 16 checks, 9:44:17, Daniel Hurtado 16 checks, 10:00:06, Robby Silva Jr. 16 checks 10:06:43, Richard Mukai 16 checks 10:25:05, Sparki Metzger 14 checks 9:54:48.
A Open: Eljay Camat 16 checks 9:46:11, Collins Medeiros 116 checks 10:02:55, Ryan Nakamura 16 checks 10:26:00, Bronson Fune 16 checks 10:42:11, Cody Shibukawa 16 checks 11:10:18.
A Blackbelt: Travis Talbo 16 checks 9:36:25, Chance Daly 16 checks 9:38:27, Chris Satterfield 15 checks 9:30:10, Casey Satterfield 15 checks 9:32:40, Kealoha Estrella 15 checks 9:37:15.
B Makules (8:45 a.m. leave): Billy Carvalho 16 checks 10:52:52, Clyde Rodgers 16 checks 11:10:29, Wayne Manago 16 checks 12:19:35.
B Masters (8:45 a.m. leave): Gary Seals 16 checks 11:02:20, Richard Kaui Jr. 16 checks 11:07:15, Grant Bowen 16 checks 11:11:20, Rocco April 16 checks 11:22:39, Matthew Kaleiohi 16 checks 12:25:14.
B Juniors 18 & Under (8:50 a.m. leave): Braden Peralta 16 checks 10::39:07, Kamakana Waiwaiole-Kahalepuna 16 checks 10:50:02, Jaden Waldman 16 checks 10:59:24, Po‘okela Silva 16 checks 12:25:17.
B Open (8:50 a.m. leave): Kalen Kimura 16 checks 10:34:38, Aaron Namuo 16 checks 10:37:09, Clyde Souza Jr. 16 checks 10:38:56, Noah Murray 16 checks 10:42:53, Ryder Guest 16 checks 10:44:12, Duane Silva 16 checks 10:50:05, Rhodny Basug 16 checks 10:50:15, Kawai Peahu 16 checks 10:51:13, Lochlen Visitacion 16 checks 10:52:41, Daron Cummings 16 checks 11:03:48, Cory Sokei 16 checks 11:13:04, Jonny Weir 16 checks 11:17:32, Bryce Kaneg 16 checks 11:20:48, Kaleo Dawbarn 16 checks 1:01:24, Thomas Middleton 16 checks 1:01:31, Aaron Swanson 16 checks 2:03:00.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached
at 245-0453 or dfujimoto
@thegardenisland.com.
