Kusutani retains 10K crown

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

There was only one place where males outnumbered females at yesterday's 27th Annual Straub/Kapi'olani Women's 10K.

Sayuri Kusutani, 44, retained her Straub/Kapi'olani Women's 10K title by finishing in 36 minutes, 9 seconds. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Billed as Hawai'i's premier female-only race, 1,500 ranging in age from 6 to well into their 80s ran the 6.2-mile course around Kapi'olani Park, through Diamond Head and Kahala, and back.

"I think it's great, I was there at the start, too, it was really neat to see all the men cheering the women on," said Jack Schoenecker, who was waiting with a cup of coffee for his wife, Joy, who was running in the race.

"You see all women crossing the finish line, so it's an adjustment."

Sayuri Kusutani, a 44-year-old graduate student from Hawai'i Pacific, retained her title, finishing in 36 minutes, 9 seconds.

"I wanted to break 36 (minutes) but I couldn't," said Kusutani, who knocked 9 seconds off last year's time.

She said she twisted her ankle last Sunday and "was lucky to run today."

Kusutani finished almost two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor, Julie Swail, who finished in 38 minutes. Katherine Nichols came in third in 38:26.

But besides the top three winners of every age group — who won glass picture frames — most participants walked away with more than the T-shirts and roses given to them for participating.

Competitors ranging in age from 6 to their 80s ran in Hawai'i's premier female-only race. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

• Mollie Chang, of Honolulu, who participated in all 27 races. "I like the camaraderie," she said. "It's great to see women come out regardless of age and capability."

• Lauren Ho, a sophomore at Hawai'i Baptist and the defending high school state champion in the 1,500-meter run, who won her age division (15-19 years) and finished sixth overall, despite running in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu track meet and participating in a University of Hawai'i women's soccer tournament Saturday.

In her second time running the race, her time yesterday of 39:53 beat last year's time, which was "way slower."

She said she runs this race because "it's challenging — all the best women in Hawai'i run in this race."

• Dick Edge, who has volunteered in all 27 years of the event, and still does it in memory of his wife, Sally Donellon, who was one of the founders of the race. Donellon died a couple of years ago from ovarian cancer.

"I did it even before I met my wife," Edge said. "I felt like coming here in remembrance of her."

• Gail Lerch, 44, of Honolulu, who participated in her first 10K.

"In the last year, I've lost 115 pounds," she said. "One of my goals was to be able to run this 10K."

She said she lost the weight with a "strenuous diet and exercise program," and started training for the 10K in December, with a tri-weekly workout regiment of running, weight training and swimming.

It was the farthest distance she has ever run, and she credits her running mates Glynis Rameriz and Michelle Kakazu for motivating her during the race.

"We talked about food and when we were running and what we were going to eat (today)," she said.

Kazaku has a different take: "No, she inspires me," Kakazu said of Lerch.

• Florence Debout, of France, who signed up yesterday morning at the race at the urging of her two friends.

Debout, who is vacationing in Hawai'i for five days, said the race was, "wonderful. It's so fun, everyone is smiling, it's a beautiful setting, You can't go wrong."

Debout finished 30th in 47:38, and said she trains year round.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.