Larger field of runners slows traffic during Kailua race

Question: I was driving on Kai­nalu Drive on Sunday morning, Oct. 7, and turned to get on Kala­heo Avenue to get to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Then I turned left and saw traffic cones in the middle of Kala­heo Avenue and a lot of runners in the right lane. I tried to avoid the runners but was flagged down by two cops at the intersection of Kai­nui Drive and Kala­heo. One said I should slow down and stop swerving. What was I supposed to do? Drive straight and run down the runners? I was going about 20 mph as there were a lot of runners in a 30 mph speed zone. I think the race promoters did a lousy job as there were no signs about speed limits or detours. Friends said another cop told them the road was closed from Kailua Beach. No signs there, either. Who was responsible? Couldn’t there have been signs and police officers who were better informed on what was to be done to ensure the safety of drivers and runners?

Answer: Organizers acknowledge they could have done a better job with more more signs and notifying the community about the race through Kaneohe and Kailua.

The nonprofit Mid-Pacific Roadrunners Club and 808­Race­Hawaii, the fitness events company the club works with in conducting marathon readiness events, sponsored the Oct. 7 Windward 25K Run, which started and ended at Kailua Beach Park. A record 907 runners participated in the 15.5-mile event.

Thirty-one special-duty police officers were hired to help maintain safe conditions along the course, said John Simonds, Mid-Pacific’s vice president for race operations.

"This is the fifth year of running the event on this course, and the larger field no doubt was a factor in slowing traffic," he said.

Most of the course is coned, temporarily limiting traffic flow, while police apparently felt it was necessary to halt traffic to allow runners to clear busy or narrow road sections, he said.

Under terms of the city Department of Transportation Services’ street use permits, "police have overriding authority over the safe conduct of road races," he said.

The permits also require a community to be alerted in advance.

"City agencies and race organizers cooperate to notify community and neighborhood groups, hotels and buses through online, newspaper and other public notices of the races," Simonds said.

Cones, road signs, mile markers and other road devices are used on race day.

However, "further work is needed in this area," Simonds acknowledged. "City transportation officials have issued more detailed outreach requirements for notifying communities in advance of future road events."

Raul Boca of 808Race said his company works with GP Roadway to place cones on the route and put up signs.

"Next year we definitely can do a better job with road signage, having more signs, and also informing the neighborhood about the race and how it would affect the roads," Boca said. "We are aware of those problems, and we will address them."

Anyone with questions or concerns about Mid-Pacific Roadrunners Club’s or 808­Race­Hawaii’s running events can call the club at 295-6777, its race operations at 383-7984 or 808­Race­Hawaii at 591-9839.

A schedule of races and information can be found at the club’s website, mprrc.com.

Mahalo

To handsome Elijah and his mom, Candace, for helping this senior. I had gone to Walmart in Pearl City on Sept. 18 just to get a few things but saw several large items to get as gifts for my grandchildren’s birthdays. I was so excited that I forgot that I had driven my little car and not my usual larger SUV. I was struggling to get these large boxes into my car when Elijah and Candace came to my rescue. With her instructive maneuvering and his muscle, everything got in. — June Sesoko

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