Registration open for Run & Walk for the Whales

MAALAEA – On Saturday, Jan. 31, Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual Run & Walk for the Whales will be setting the pace to save the whales and our oceans with a 5K run, 10K run, half-marathon run, and 2.5-mile walk.

All races begin and end at the Maalaea Harbor Shops. All proceeds from the event support Pacific Whale Foundation’s humpback whale research in Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific, as well as marine education and conservation programs.

Starting times on Jan. 31 are: 6:30 a.m., half-marathon; 7 a.m., 10K run; 7:15 a.m., 5K run; and 7:20 a.m., 2.5-mile walk.

“The easy-to-follow courses are mostly flat and fast, which is good news for runners seeking to PR,” said Race Coordinator Erica Gorman. “You might even see a whale or two breaching in the distance!”

There will be post-race festivities including live entertainment by Marty Dread, a continental breakfast for runners and walkers, tours of Pacific Whale Foundation’s facilities, and special retail offers and discounts on whalewatch cruises.

The entry fee ranges from $30 for the walk to $65 for the half-marathon and includes professional chip timing for runners plus clock timing for all walking events. Each participant will receive a Run & Walk for the Whales event T-shirt.

Medals and a pair of whalewatch tickets will be awarded to each of the top three male and top three female overall finishers in the 5K, 10K and half-marathon. There will also be medals presented three deep for the 5K, 10K and half-marathon male and female age divisions.

All walkers and runners will be entered into drawings for free whalewatch trips and other prizes at the event.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s marine education team will also be offering a morning version of its popular Ocean Camp on race day for children ages four to 12. The program takes place from 6 to 10 a.m. and costs $25 per child. Pre-registration is required.

“The Run & Walk for Whales is an opportunity to have fun while doing good,” said Gorman. “You’re supporting our efforts to put an end to whaling, to keep marine debris out of our oceans, and to connect children to their environment. It’s a win-win no matter what place you come in.”

Register online at flpregister.com/101. Online registration closes at midnight on Jan. 28. There is no race day registration, but you can register at Pacific Whale Foundation on Jan. 29-30. For more information, call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811, extension 1.

——————

Softball registration set

LAHAINA – Lahaina Youth Fast Pitch Softball Inc. will conduct player registration for the 2015 season from now to the end of January, according to organization President Lei Nakamura.

Registration is open to all girls ages 6-12 for the upcoming youth softball season that begins on March 7.

Coach Lei, who is also the head coach of the Lahainaluna High School team and the Hawaii Pearls Maui organization, urges all interested families to contact her at lyfsinc2015@gmail.com or (808) 344-5084. Upon e-mail or telephone contact, Coach Lei will then send the interested parties the registration form that can be returned to her at the Lahainaluna softball field on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Bring the child’s birth certificate along with the completed registration form.

Coach Lei added that after signing up, all players will be registered in ASA, the national governing body of youth softball in America.

“We are really trying to renew and promote interest in softball for the youth of the West Side,” said Nakamura.