Keiki Great Aloha Run Participants Show Up in the Thousands to Benefit Oahu Physical Education and Nutrition Programs

HONOLULU – More than 2,700 participants, one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history, hit the pavement this morning for the Keiki Great Aloha Run. Honolulu’s premier running event for youth brought together children from across the island along with their parents and supporters to take part in a 1.5-mile fun-run around the Neal S. Blaisdell Center and McKinley High School.

Hosted each year by the local non-profit organization, Kaho‘omiki, the event encourages young families to practice healthy habits by getting outside and exercising, in addition to maintaining a balanced diet, all for a good cause.A portion of the proceeds raised from race dues and other donations will be used to benefit physical education and nutrition programs in Oahu schools.

For every entry fee into today’s race, $15 will be donated back to each participant’s designated school of choice to further physical fitness and nutrition education programs and activities offered to students. This year, more than $36,000 will be shared to support programs in 130 public and private schools on Oahu.

“To see this event grow from year to year, is truly inspirational,” said Mark Zeug, president of Kaho‘omiki. “We are so pleased to see youth making healthy choices for themselves and their families, and taking physical fitness and wellness into their own hands. We hope that by contributing resources to our local schools, we’re able to affect change and encourage healthy lifestyles for future generations.”

The event is organized by Kaho‘omiki, a non-profit promoting an active and healthy community, from keiki to kupuna. Sponsors and community partners include: Kaiser Permanente; Hawai‘i 5210; Carole Kai Charities, Inc.; Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation; Meadow Gold Dairies; Clif Kid; Nature’s Path; La Tour Bakehouse; YMCA of Honolulu; Hawaii Association of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance; UH Food Science Human Nutrition Council; Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs; Kama‘aina Kids; McKinley High School Athletics; The Running Room; B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii; the City & County of Honolulu; and, E Ola Koa, KES Dance Fitness Team.
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Media Contact:
Debra Shiraishi-Pratt
Coordinator, Keiki Great Aloha Run
keikiruncoordinator@gmail.com

Links to download event photos are provided below courtesy of Kaho‘omiki.

Link to download: http://i.imgur.com/tN6Jae7.jpg
Caption: Oahu youth and their supporters turned up in the thousands for this morning's Keiki Great Aloha Run.

Link to download: http://i.imgur.com/dYvyt0z.jpg
Caption: Before the start of the run, participants took part in an active warm-up to get ready for the main event.

Link to download: http://i.imgur.com/AWrMUiq.jpg
Caption: The 1.5-mile fun-run took participants around the Neal S. Blaisdell Center and McKinley High School.

Link to download: http://i.imgur.com/9ptM39C.jpg
Caption: A portion of the proceeds from today's event will be donated to Oahu schools to support physical fitness and nutrition education programs and activities offered to students.