By any measure, the Great Aloha Run is a curious creature.

From it's unique distance (8.15 miles, from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium) to its ugly-cool course along Nimitz Highway, to its at-times mirthful mix of serious, elite runners and not-so-serious strollers (some with strollers), the annual President's Day race takes all comers — but only on its own quirky terms.

So far, about 19,000 runners, walkers and wheelers have entered the race — 16,000 civilian and 3,000 military — with another 1,500 expected to do so during this week's Great Aloha Run Health, Fitness & Sports Expo at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Late registration is still available online at www.active.com.

Once again, Hawai'i residents are expected to make up the majority of the field; organizers also expect about 1,000 runners from Japan.

For many participants, Monday's race will be the only running event they enter this year.

First-year race director C.J. Jaxon, who previously directed the popular Windward Half-Marathon, said beginning runners often use the run as a springboard for longer road races or other fitness-related events. She said the high profile of the race over the past 22 years and the broad popularity of the event among Hawai'i residents serve as ongoing inducements for novice road racers.

And, to be sure, what 15-minute-per-miler can resist being feted with a JumboTron welcome at the finish line?

This year, race organizers made official timing optional for participants, expecting that most would choose to go untimed. Instead, approximately 60 percent opted to pay the extra $5 microchip fee to have their finish time tracked and recorded, Jaxon said.

Elite runners will this year vie for a $7,000 prize. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top three finishers in the men's, women's, military and open divisions.

Last year, Ryan Padilla of Colorado ran the last 6 miles with an undone shoelace to take first place overall with a time of 44 minutes, 17 seconds, beating out Honolulu resident Casper Dahl (44:53).

Hawai'i Pacific University student Marie-Louise Brasen (51:09) was the first female finisher.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.