Short Hops: 3/15/16

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35th annual Mac-A-Thon

35th annual Mac-A-Thon

Hawaii Island’s oldest foot race, Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club’s “Mac-A-Thon,” takes place annually the day before Easter. This year’s fun-filled family event will be held on March 26. The race start is at 7 a.m.

Early registration (up until March 21) is only $35, and convenient online registration is available.

The Mac-A-Thon offers distances of 5K or 10K on the old government road that extends from the sacred waters of Honaunau Bay to Napo’opo’o. Each race course is the same, except that the 5K turn-around is halfway into the 10K course.

An award ceremony, our famous Mac-Nut Pancake Breakfast (included with entry fee), entertainment, a Super Silent Auction with dozens of items, and lots of fun await runners and their families at the finish line.

The entry form is available at the Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club website at www.keouacanoeclub.com. Entry fees are$35 until March 21, and $40 on race day. Juniors (14 & under) are $10 pre-registered, $15 on race day. Pre-registered runners will receive a race T-shirt.

Keauhou Canoe Club’s Kauikeaouli Challenge Races

The Kauikeaouli Challenge Races will take place on March 19 at Keauhou Bay.

The first race of the day is the 5th Annual Keauhou Recreational OC-6 Challenge. This event is for paddlers without racing experience, with only the steers person for the six person crew, an HCRA registered racer. Registration will open at 7 a.m. at Keauhou Canoe Club, with the race start for the three mile course from Keauhou to Kahaluu and return, scheduled for 8 a.m.

Awards ceremony and breakfast for all participants will follow at Keauhou Canoe Club’s halau.

The 18th Annual Kuuipo Race for OC-1, OC-2, OC-3, V-1, Surfski and Standup Paddleboards is the next scheduled race in the HIPA (Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association) 2016 series. Held in memory of the late Eda “Kuuipo” Hinchcliff, registration for the 6-1/2 mile short course opens at Keauhou at 8 a.m. with registration for the 10 mile long course from Honokohau Harbor to Keauhou Bay opening at the HIPA Halau at Honokohau at 8 a.m. Both long and short courses are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and the finish line for all races is located inside Keauhou Bay.

Lunch and an awards ceremony will follow at the Keauhou Canoe Cub halau.

For entry forms or information about either event, please contact Jane Bockus at 937-7890 or Bill Armer at 896-4535.

Hawaii Cycling Club

The Hawaii Cycling Club and Metzler Construction are sponsoring the 3rd Annual Hawaii Century on April 3 — a benefit for Hospice of Kona. The Hawaii Century event starts and ends at Spencer Beach Park. Cyclists have the choice of three routes: 30, 60 or 109 miles. While this is a non-competitive ride many cyclists will fit this into their training schedule. An exceptional lunch will be available at the end. There will be aid stations approximately every 20 miles.

Pre-Registration and additional information are at hawaiicyclingclub.com. Click on “Century” to register at active.com. The Century entry fee is $50.

To find out how students 18 and under may participate for free email: hcccentury@yahoo.com. Go to hawaiicyclingclub.com for additional information on other HCC events.

Lavakids Family Fun Runs

On March 19, LavaKids, in partnership with Club Rehab, will host its Family Fun Runs at 7 a.m. on Ane Keohokalole Highway between Palani Road and Kealakehe High School. Look for the Lavaman flags on the mauka side of the road. This is a free event and open to all ages.

The guest speaker this month will be coach David Baldwin, who will talk about the importance of form and function while running.

Registration will take place at 7 a.m. followed by a keiki dash at 7:45 a.m.. The one-mile and 2-mile run/walk will begin at 7:55 a.m. with the 5k run/walk right after. This event is open to both keiki and adults. Games and supervision will be provided for keiki during the 5k for parents wanting to participate.

Pre-register at lavakids.org for extra chances to win raffle for prizes. For more information visit www.lavakids.org or contact eventinfo@lavakids.org.

Canoe clubs looking for paddlers

Kai ‘Ehitu: Kai ‘Ehitu Outrigger Team is holding open registration for the upcoming outrigger canoe racing season which runs from spring-summer. Registration is open for children and adults, both seasoned and beginner paddlers. For more information visit kaiehitu.org

Keauhou Canoe Club: Keauhou Canoe Club announces the start of practice for the 2016 paddling season at Keauhou Bay for the most junior members. “Special Events” paddlers under age 12 are invited to paddling practice every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. These young paddlers will be able to participate in the Special Events race which is held at the beginning of every Canoe Regatta all season long. Uncles Tandy and Kalani will be their coaches this year.

Mauna Kea Swim Group

Interested swimmers can join a group swim Sundays at 7:30 a.m. at the South end of Mauna Kea Beach. The route it to Hapuna and back. It’s approximately 1-mile each way. Strong swimming skills are necessary.

Enjoy the amazing Kohala waters and swim as your comfort level allows. It is also great triathlon training. Swim at your own risk.

For questions contact Ed Doherty at eddoherty1@me.com.

Go sailing with Kona Sailing Club

Kona Sailing Club Juniors and the Big Island Sailing Foundation will be hosting three days of sailing out of Honokohau Harbor March 22-24.

New sailors should be 12 years and over, and sailors with previous experience should be over 10 years old.

This is an all-day adventure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pack a lunch, healthy snacks and plenty to drink. Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable on the water and outdoors, and be ready to have fun.

All participants should be KSC members. New KSC membership is just $20 the first year and $10 for renewals every year after. Cost for sailing is $75 for the three days. An optional additional day, on Friday, March 25 is being considered at a cost of $20. Sailing will be done on boats between 12 feet and 22 feet long.

Instructors are certified by US Sailing. For more info call 325-5529 or send email to bisf@earthlink.net.

Old Airport 50-plus basketball league

There will be a 50-and-over, half court, basketball league starting on April 6 at Old Airport Park’s Kekuaokalani Gym. Anyone interested in being drafted or entering a team call Chuck Corbe at 327-3287 or email corbe@reahuihou.com.

Soccer Camps

June 20-24: Kona AYSO 527 will host a four day Challenger Sports soccer camp at Old Airport Field. Ages 3-4 ($85) will go from 9-10 a.m., ages 4-5 ($99) will go from 10:30 a.m.-noon, ages 6-14 ($135) will go from 9 a.m.-noon, and ages 8-14 (180) will go from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration can be done online at www.challengersports.com. For more information contact Dan Jones at 760-945-2109 or email djones@challengersports.com.

July 18-22: Kona AYSO will hold a sponsored five day soccer camps with USSF lincensed coaches and PE teaching specialists for kids ages 6-14 at Old Airport Field. The fun filled skill and tacktical developement camp cost $179 for five full days (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) or $125 for five half days (9 a.m.-noon).

July 25-29: Kona Next Level Soccer will hold a five day soccer game with a USSF Licensed and Cal South Olympic Development coach for kids ages 14-18 at Old Airport Field. The advanced high school soccer training camp costs $125 for the week and runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 25-29: Kona AYSO will host a five day soccer camp with USSF youth coaches and Primary Teaching Specialists for kids ages 4-6 at Old Airport Field. The Elite Munchkin Camp will cost $79 for the week and runs from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Emily T Gail Show

Malik Mariano and Jeff Manzo, of Bike Works Beach & Sport, talk about the success in competitive cycling Malik — racing for just two years — is experiencing. Malik,a senior at Kealakehe, was introduced to cycling by the Kealakehe Waveriders Tri Club. With sponsorship and mentoring from Bike Works, from the Hawaii Cycling Club, from his family and the community Malik is now competing at a national level. He talks about what he has learned from more experienced cyclists in the community and his desire to encourage other young athletes who may not be interested in the sport of triathlon to experience the sport of road racing. He shares his goals for 2016 including his fundraising efforts to participate in the Sea Otter Classic in California and the Junior Nationals in Kentucky at malikmariano.weebly.com

Manzo has information on the Lavaman Sunset 5k Walk/Run on April 8 at Queens Marketplace. A fundraiser for Path and ALS TDI Registration is available at Bikeworks Beach & Sport.

The Emily T Gail Show espnhawaii.com under the lineup tab is also available at iTunes as a free podcast or facebook.com/emilytgail. For information contact Gail at 896-6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org.