Cost U Less was a major sponsor and healthy participant for the 19th annual Big Island International Marathon, which drew more than 1,000 competitors for its three races: marathon, half-marathon and 3.1-mile run/walk.
The North West Co., the parent company of Cost U Less, runs the Healthy Horizons Foundation, designed to promote health and fitness, especially in remote communities.
The parent company is based in Canada, where it’s always cold during the spring. So what better place than Hilo to hold its inaugural foundation run?
There were about 50 in the group, including North West officials Yvonne Anyon, Scott Munn and Denise Batterton, who stayed for a week, contributing to the Big Island’s tourism dollars.
Eight ran in the marathon, including Munn, who finished in 6:17:16, and 39 participated in the half-marathon, including Anyon, who clocked in at 3:00:16.
The foundation runners raise money and not just small change. Nine runners from Salluit, Quebec raised $35,000, and 47 from Alaska and Canada fetched more 200 grand. The funds go back into the community for health and fitness programs.
“We knew Hilo is a great location, and the race is a well-run event,” Anyon said. “In choosing our inaugural run, we thought Hilo would be a good choice, and we’re definitely looking to come back.”
Final Four still on
David Hammes, DJ Blinn, Marie Kuramoto and Kailua-Kona’s Cowman put another one in the books. The Final Four have completed all 19 Hilo marathons.
Hammes finished in 5:06:32; Blinn in 5:50:37; and Kuramoto in 6:38:58. Cowman finished after the seven-hour time limit.
It was the 48th marathon for Hammes, 115th for Blinn, and 91st for Kuramoto. Cowman lost count but estimated it’s well over 100.
“I finished more marathons than I have hairs of my head,” said Cowman, who’s far from bald and has hair more like Larry than Curly from the Three Stooges.
Notes
Race director Bob Wedeman said the youngest runner was 5 years old in the 3.1-mile run/walk and the oldest was 91 years old. …
There were about 40 runners from Japan. …
Bayfront Highway was washed out and filled with rocks, so the course didn’t enter through the Wainaku river bumblebee iron bridge.
Instead, Joe Wedemann, in charge of the course set-up, diverted the run through Pauahi Street and around the bridge.
“Every year, it’s always something,” said Bob Wedeman, remembering 2014 when high winds blew away tent canopies. “The one thing I like is trying to make this into a fun event.”
