KAPA‘A — Ashlei Thompson, 8 months, enjoyed her first Turkey Trot, but organizers were already busy with the second event, Thursday at the Kapa‘a Beach Park. About 300 people took advantage of the early morning fun run, walk, and bicycling
KAPA‘A — Ashlei Thompson, 8 months, enjoyed her first Turkey Trot, but organizers were already busy with the second event, Thursday at the Kapa‘a Beach Park.
About 300 people took advantage of the early morning fun run, walk, and bicycling event along the Kaua‘i Path, heading east toward Kealia Beach and returning to the Kapa‘a Beach Park.
“This is amazing,” said Dr. Randy Blake of the Kaua‘i Path, one of the event sponsors. “We must have close to 300 participants here today. Last year was our first event and we had about a hundred people, so we anticipated about 200 for this event.”
Tommy Noyes, also of the Kaua‘i Path and the Communities Putting Prevention to Work coordinator, said it was a 5K event with the option for a 10K.
Iron Lotus Core Fitness’ Sandi O’Shaughnessy, who works with the Kapa‘a High School athletes on speed and quickness conditioning, said she invited some of the Warrior athletes to come out and participate as a fun way to supplement their regular workouts.
Registration for the event was free, although contributions of non-perishable foods for the Hale Ho‘omalu home in Kapa‘a and monetary contributions to help the Kaua‘i Path were accepted, said Jeni Kaohelauli‘i of Work It Out, another event sponsors.
“Look at all the food,” Kaohelauli‘i said, thrilled and overwhelmed by the community’s response to help some of Kaua‘i’s needy during the holiday season.
“Now, I need to get rid of some of these pumpkins,” she said. “Anybody want a pumpkin?”
The Kaua‘i Amateur Radio Club also offered its services, having operators at strategic points along the route, calling in arrivals and situations, including the need for more water at Checkpoint 3.
“We were here from a little after 6 a.m.,” said Bobby Thompson, Ashlei’s grandpa. “When we got here, there were very few people, but all of a sudden, everyone showed up. Happy Thanksgiving!”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
