While the guest of honor might not have approved of the lighting conditions, the clouds and rain that ushered in yesterday's Mahalo 5K Run did nothing to deter hundreds of friends of local running mainstay and photographer Uriel "Tesh" Teshima from dashing around Manoa Valley in his tribute.

Daniel Molnar, 22, a Hungarian born cross-country runner for Dickinson State (N.D.), won the 3.1-mile event in 16 minutes, 16.6 seconds. Hawai'i Pacific University graduate student Sayuri Kusutani, 48, of Salt Lake, was the top female runner, finishing in 18:27.5.

"It was so wet and humid, I knew I would have a slower time, but I just wanted to go out and have fun," Molnar said.

Mililani resident Peter Deptula, 19, placed second overall in 16:20.0, followed by 27-year-old Andrew Taylor of Kane'ohe in 16:45.6.

Kimberly Pugliese, 14, of Kapolei finished second among women in 19:25.6, edging Sandy Ferreira, 38, of Kane'ohe, who finished in 19:33.5.

The run was organized by local running great Connie Comiso, a long-time friend of Teshima.

"I didn't want to do a memorial run," Comiso said. "I wanted to celebrate him while he's still around to enjoy it. He's brought so much joy to so many people for so many years, this is just an opportunity to say 'thanks.' "

Teshima, 75, is a familiar face to anyone who's run a road race in Hawai'i in the last 30 years. A standout runner and coach for many years, Teshima is perhaps best known for his unpaid, unofficial work as visual chronicler of Hawai'i's running community.

Teshima shows up for nearly every running, triathlon or other endurance-sport event, snapping photos along the course and at the finish line. And he doesn't discriminate: He greets elite and back-of-the-pack runners with the same enthusiasm, and usually by first name.

Even runners who have never actually met Teshima have likely received one of his photos in the mail. Teshima works with TimeLine (the race-timing company) to identify runners in his pictures by their bib number then sends the photos to the runners — at his own expense. (Some long-time runners donate money to help cover Teshima's costs, but he never solicits such contributions.)

Teshima attended Kaimuki High School, where he played football, baseball and basketball. He continued his athletic pursuits at Taft College before transferring to San Jose State, where he served as team manager for a football squad that included Bill Walsh and Dick Vermeil.

Back in Hawai'i, Teshima spent 35 years as a teacher and track coach for Kailua High School. He also worked part time at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where he first got to know Comiso some 35 years ago.

Teshima was still a competitive runner when, after completing the 1979 marathon in 3:03, he found his second calling.

Underwhelmed by the work of the race's official photographer, Teshima, who had taken photography classes in college, decided to work the course himself.

He started off by shooting race-day photos of friends. He still does, although his circle of friends now numbers in the thousands.

"Tesh sent me pictures after the last Val Nolasco Half-Marathon," Molnar said. "I remember I was so excited to get those pictures."

Kusutani, the women's winner, credits Teshima with bringing her to Hawai'i.

Kusutani spent two months in Hawai'i learning English and ran road races in her spare time. She met Teshima at a 5K race that she had intended to enter but didn't have any money. Teshima paid for her entry, and Kusutani won the race.

Kusutani became friends with Teshima and his wife, who is also from Japan. When she won the 2002 Great Aloha Run, Teshima introduced her to the cross-country coach at Hawaii Pacific University, who in turn offered her a full scholarship.

"I owe Tesh a lot," Kusutani said. "If not for him, I wouldn't be here."

Teshima has also paved the way for Hawai'i-based runners to see Japan. Each year, he sponsors two top runners to join him at the Ichinoseki Half-Marathon.

"Tesh is one of the most outstanding guys I've ever met," said Limu Furtado, 75, of Wai'anae. "He's so jolly and so giving to everybody. I've got a thousand photos covering four walls in my house, and most of them are from him."

Bill Beauchamp, a former president of the Mid Pacific Road Runners Club and a pioneer of the local running scene, echoed the sentiment.

"Tesh is just a terrific guy," Beauchamp said. "We're all grateful for his generosity."

Teshima was in his element yesterday, walking the course in his running tights, rain jacket and ever-present camera.

Comiso, keen to Teshima's photographic eye for beauty, posted two Hooter's girls at the finish line, and arranged for an appearance by the Cherry Blossom court.

Age group winners received, of course, picture frames.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.