KAILUA-KONA — After finding out earlier this year that the LBGT community is one of its more underserved networks, the American Cancer Society, led by community development manager Kaitlin Moore, decided to do whatever it could to fix that problem.
Moore’s first idea to help bring cancer awareness to the LBGT community: to hold a Rainbow Run 5K, which started at My Bar on Saturday and made the turn at Old Airport Park before finishing back where it started.
The race was the only one of its kind being held in the Pacific region by the American Cancer Society, and Moore admitted the pressure was on with corporate watching, hoping to use the 5K as an example to make a further commitment to host more events within the LBGT community.
“This is literally a test run, and the money is going to a great cause,” said Moore, the pun definitely intended. “It is important for me and for the American Cancer Society to enhance our diversity and inclusion.”
Rocco Vick, owner of My Bar, agreed with Moore and was happy to help lend his bar as a staging event for the 5K. The timing, also, could not have been better.
“Kona Gay Pride does not happen until September, but June is notoriously known as Pride Month, so this was something we could do to represent that,” Vick said. “Cancer is something that affects everyone. It is one of those issues where we can all come together to show our support, and a 5K is a fun and active way to do it.”
The 5K had 43 registered runners by the morning of the race and had raised about $1,000 in ticket sales. By race time, Moore was hoping to get 65 participants and double the donations, though the final numbers have not been reported.
Several businesses showed their support for the run by donating either resources or time. Ola Brewing Company donated a keg, with sales helping the fundraising effort. Big Island Running Company provided the marshals for the race and Lavaman donated equipment including racing bibs, cones and more.
Bob Wedeman, race director of the Hilo Marathon, even made the trip over to help Moore map out the course. The two drove back and forth from My Bar to Old Airport Park, trying to figure out the best route to take.
The community coming together to host the 5K is just what Moore was hoping for when she started to figure out the logistics of the race.
“I wanted the run to bring solidarity to the community,” Moore said. “This was just a simple, small, clean 5K. Next year maybe we can start adding all the bells and whistles.”
Moore also hopes the race serves as a jumping in point for the LBGT community to participate in other American Cancer Society events such as Relay for Life, which takes place July 14 at Kealakehe High School.
“I would love to have an LBGT team come join us,” she said.