Skies were clear and cool early today when thousands hit the streets for the annual Great Aloha Run. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Under cool and clear conditions, runners and walkers began the 8.15-mile course from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium with the roar of a cannon at 7 a.m. This year's event organized by Carole Kai Charities was expected to raise about $200,000 for local charities.

With the Marine Forces Pacific Show Band performing Fontella Bass' "Rescue Me," Kalid Abdallah was the first runner to cross the finish line with a time of 39 minutes and 49 seconds. Abdallah won the Maui Marathon last year.

Four-time Great Aloha Run winner Malcolm Campbell came in second at 40 minutes and 23 seconds, followed by Christian Madsen with 40 minutes and 24 seconds.

Cori Mooney was the first female finisher, with a time of 45 minutes and 52 seconds.

The overlying theme for this year's run could have been overcoming adversity.

Second-place finisher Malcolm Campbell was running yesterday despite fracturing two bones in his lower back in a fall last year.

"After that horrible accident, I've learned you shouldn't judge yourself by your past running times, but how you do presently," said the 32-year-old Georgia resident. "I'm just glad to be here today on this beautiful day."

Gerard Ah-Fook, whose right leg was amputated and who has no feeling in his left leg, was the first wheelchair racer to cross the finish line, with an unofficial time of 36 minutes, 25 seconds.

Rebekah Burbage (left), Teresa Vigro and Matt Garcia make their way down Nimitz Highway in aloha attire. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This is the first time I've ever raced by wheelchair," said the 25-year-old former Navy serviceman from Hawai'i Kai. "I've been training for other races, so this is a good sign for me."

Barrie Ehrmentraut, 36, finished the race with her husband, Jeff, in 62 minutes. Barrie gave birth to twins only four months ago.

"We live in Aliamanu military housing, so while we were running by our house, I told her, 'We can take a short cut and go home if you want,' " Jeff Ehrmentraut said. "But she really wanted to finish this more than me."

For the majority of today's participants, the objective was simply to cross the finish line. Runners and walkers waited at the starting line at Aloha Tower wearing colored race tag numbers that symbolized descending order of speed: white, yellow, green and pink.

Wendy Cabral of Kapahulu wore a pink tag even though this was her second Great Aloha Run.

"They got promoted, though," said a laughing Cabral, pointing to her son, Matthew, and sister, Michelle Kansaki, both sporting green tags.

Canadian tourist Pierre Aubin, who flew in from Ottawa yesterday, got into the action at the last minute.