HawaiiNewsNow: Weather eases in time for Honolulu Marathon »

Despite running with a sore knee, Thomas Puzey earned the distinction of being the first Hawaii resident to cross the Honolulu Marathon finish line Sunday.

Puzey, a Brigham Young-Hawaii student, finished in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 43 seconds and placed seventh overall.

Puzey, 27, is originally from Hermiston, Ore., and completed his eligibility with the BYUH cross country team last year, placing fourth in the 2010 Pacific West Conference championship. He’d been aiming for a time around 2:25 until tearing the meniscus in his knee three weeks ago.

"Depending on what side of the road I was on, with the slant, it made a difference," said Puzey, who spent much of the race running with the leaders in the women’s field.

Mark Mench of Kailua won the male kamaaina award, which goes to the top finisher among runners born and currently residing in Hawaii. Mench’s time of 2:56:46 was just enough to edge Jonathan Lyau.

"I kind of had a tough day, but it is nice to be the first kamaaina," said Mench, 36, who completed his fourth marathon.

Honolulu’s Rachel Ross was the first female Hawaii resident and 12th overall among women, finishing in 3:08:34.

Ross had competed in the Honolulu Marathon four previous times and had a couple of runner-up finishes.

She held up well in the strong wind, but part of her running attire didn’t.

"Going up Hawaii Kai I had my bib ripped off my shirt," she said.

Kailua’s Brigitte Ebert was the first female kamaaina finisher, completing the course in 3:04:14 (10th overall among females).

ROADWORK

Tokyo’s Daisuke Naito, 37, retired from boxing last month and needed a new challenge in his life.

The former WBC flyweight champion finished his first marathon in 4:48:17.

"I feel relieved that I was able to finish the race," Naito said through interpreter Ayano Hara.

Naito had a handful of Japanese media members interview him and follow him around immediately after the race.

Naito compiled a record of 36-3-3 (23 knockouts). He won the WBC flyweight title in July 2007 and defended it five times.

"After I retired I knew I was going to start the second stage of my life," Naito said. "For that, I wanted to challenge myself and do something to the extreme.

"As for boxing I have no intention of turning back," Naito added. "I achieved everything I could. I did everything I could in my professional life."

FINAL 2 SURVIVE

The last two runners to finish every Honolulu Marathon extended their streak to 39.

Jerold Chun finished in 5:35.09 and Gary Dill in 6:49.35.

VOWS ON THE RUN

Before taking their final strides to the finish line, Ryan Runge and Melissa May of Las Vegas took the next step in their lives together.

Just as they were about to finish at about the 5:15 mark, Runge startled May by stopping abruptly, then stunned her by offering her an engagement ring … which she accepted.

"We grew close training for this and though it was a significant moment, finishing our first marathon together," Runge said. "I said we’d come this far and let’s take the next step the rest of the way together."

Runge said he’d been planning the proposal for about two months and carried the ring in his pocket over the 26.2 miles.

Los Angeles’ Jedd Bloom completed the race in 4:18:35, then waited 40 minutes for Jenny Varghese to finish. When Varghese, also of Los Angeles, crossed in 4:58:34, Bloom got down on one knee and proposed to her.

"I never thought I’d run 26.2 miles and now I’m engaged," Varghese said.

LIFETIME PASS

Melissa Braswell of Kailua-Kona never has to pay another Honolulu Marathon entry fee.

Braswell, who completed her first marathon in 3:58:19 on Sunday, won a contest marathon officials held on Facebook. Entrants had to guess the winning time. Braswell was closest to Nicholas Chelimo‘s winning time of 2:14:55 with her guess of 2:15:56.

"I guess I have to keep coming back now," said Braswell.

BARAHAL HITS MILESTONE

This marked the 25th Honolulu Marathon under the direction of president Jim Barahal, 59.

Is he ready for 25 more? Maybe.

"On Earth or doing this? My dad (George) lived to 92 and worked to the day he died," Barahal said.