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Do you ever find yourself feeling down or overwhelmed with too many problems? If so, I've got a great remedy for you. It's actually quite simple and requires no medications or meditations.

All you need is enough motivation to get out the door and go to a
Special Olympics event. On Saturday morning I heard many people repeating "Boy, the problems I thought I had aren't really a problem anymore." Their change of mind set came because they were at the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Weinberg Neighbor Islands Regional Aquatics Competition for the Special Olympians.

The Annual Torch Run that started the morning off was fairly small again with 35-40 runners and walkers. The statewide event is held each year to honor the memory of long time devoted Special Olympics coach and police officer Troy Barboza as well as raising some funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement.

In order to drum up more support, our West Hawaii leg included a 3.1 mile run to go along with the usual group torch run where everyone starts together and finishes together. As usual, the atmosphere at the run was very uplifting. It was great to be able to participate alongside friends, neighbors and several outstanding Special Olympians.

The run began with a unique twist where everyone stayed behind the torch and leader Sgt. Alex Graves for the first half mile where the torch turned around for it's group march back to the start at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. At this point the competitive runners were turned loose to race the remaining 2.6 miles.

The race out front turned out to be a good one with Tim Robinson and Dusty Boyd exchanging the top spot several times. With about 1/4 mile to go Boyd was in front but Robinson quickly shifted gears and pulled away for the victory in 20:53. Boyd stayed close at 21:01.

Two running legends, Jon Kunitake and Jeannie Wokasch took third and fourth with a duplicate time of 22:38. Brown Bear closed out the top five with his time of 22:43. Wrapping up the ladies top group were Michelle Bono and her Doberman Aquilo at 28:11 and Mouse Kelley in 30:02.

Although the racing part was a lot of fun and a terrific addition to the event, the main focus remained on the Special Olympians who are all the true champions. Shortly after the run was the swim meet which serves as a qualifier for the upcoming Special Olympics State Championships.

Watching these champions participate in event after event with smiles on their faces was simply wonderful. Some were fast, while others were very slow, but it just didn't matter because just being there made them winners. The love and aloha that was shared between the Olympians, their coaches, family, friends, and spectators was truly uplifting and is a sure cure for those occasional blues.

So next time you're whining about your slow time in some grueling event like the Ironman, take a moment to reflect on the Special Olympics and their athlete's oath: "Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt."

If you'd like to donate, volunteer or need more info on the Special Olympics program in West Hawaii, Call area director and March 2002 co-Sportsperson of the Month, Sheryl Livingston at 322-0603.

On Sunday the racing action moved down to Ali'i Drive for the 8th Annual Craig Leepfrog Kona Beachman 10 Mile Mosey and 6th Annual 2 Mile Silver Fox Trot. Very hot and humid conditions greeted the moseyers and trotters for their 7:30 a.m. start. As with all Pea Events both the 2 miler and 10 miler were open to anyone and everyone, including the family dog.

Both runs started together with 113 humans and 2 K9s out to do their best. In a very competitive 10 miler, 5 time champ Karl "Happy Hubby" Honma shot to the front for the runners while Randy "The Animal" Caddell blazed out front chasing the wheelchair record.

The 2 mile race saw one of Oahu's best runners, Jeannie Wokasch, up front with the lead men, Graham Haines, Clay "The Colt" Bringman, Brown Bear and Jon Kunitake. Wokasch was out to break the course record of 13:15 set by Lokelani McMichael in 1998 and she did just that. Not only did she leave that record in the dust with her time of 12:11 she also left behind all the guys chasing her.

Haines topped them men's field and took 2nd overall at 12:38. Kunitake used this traditional late race surge to take 3rd overall at 13:08. Kunitake's time also earned him a new 55-59 age group record. The Colt and Brown Bear rounded out the top five with their times of 13:14 and 13:17.

Following Wokasch in the ladies race was Kerstin Leepfrog at 14:29. Maggie Murphy took third and a new 50-54 record with her time of 15:48. Elsa Honma at 15:50 and Becky Bergerin 15:59 completed the ladies top five.

Joining Wokasch and Murphy in the record books was Kris Hyppa who set a ladies 60-64 best with her time of 21:52. Another record was earned by Pohaku who set the new male K9 mark at 1:12:22. Kevin Hyppa and his daughter Jenna topped the stroller with their time of 15:16.

Out on the hot pavement of Ali'i Drive, Caddell and Honma had dumped everyone and were forced to go it alone. Undaunted, both Caddell and Honma continued to hammer. Caddell powered the 10 mile course in 42:34 which easily knocked off the previous wheelchair course record of 44:14 set by Ron Amundson in 2000.

Honma wasn't able to break Luis De La Torre's record of 56:38 but he did win his sixth Mosey title in the race's short 8 year history. Honma's Hall of Fame ability to run hard even while alone brought him across the line in 58:22 which was incredible when you consider the hot and humid conditions.

Adrian Aponte ran strong to take 2nd in 1:02:47. Record holder in the 40-44 age group, Stewart Miyashiro, followed in 3rd at 1:05:46. Daniel Hodel at 51-years-old took 4th at 1:06:16. Wrapping up fifth was Mike "Chipmunk" McCary who clocked a time of 1:06:58.

On the ladies side, Rani "The Road Runner" Tanimoto won her 4th
consecutive Mosey title with a time of 1:09:32. The harsh conditions and being under the weather took its toll on Tanimoto, who still holds the ladies course record of 1:03:08 set just last year.

Melanie Aiona kept close to Tanimoto for a 2nd place finish in 1:10:55. Previous Mosey champ Autumn Johnson took 3rd at 1:20:49. Laurie Beers was a close 4th at 1:21:02. Serena Chamberlain completed the elite five in 1:22:11.

Course records in the 10 miler are hard to come by but despite the conditions, Pua was able to pull along her partner Amber Aguirre on in-line skates for a wahine K9 best of 1:00:38. Pua's tiny legs must have turned over 10 times to the runners' single stride.

Also collecting records were Tom McCue who took down Leonard Peddicord's 60-64 mark of 1:12:15 with his 10th overall time of 1:10:39 and Elgin Edwards who destroyed Bill Van Horn's 65-69 best of 1:37:19 with his time of 1:19:18. Van Horn also went under the previous best with his 2nd place division time of 1:34:04.

The athletic month of April will continue to be fun with this weekend's Mana Run and Captain Cook's Challenge double header. The rich tradition of the Great Mana Run will be revived this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. up in Waimea. Both 3.1 and 6.2 mile races will be offered. For info call The Waimea Family YMCA at 885-7420.

On Sunday the swim-run-bike-run Captain Cook's Challenge will get going from Napo'opo'o Beach at 7:00 a.m. The always tough triathlon is open to both individuals and relays. No entry fee, just show up! Call 324-7252 with questions.

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