The call of the distance runner is often faint, heard by only a select few who understand that both the challenge and the reward most often comes from within.

It can be lonely on the road even when surrounded by others. Mental toughness is the rabbit to be chased and, with luck, caught and rode to the finish line.

That is how Todd Iacovelli sees "The Chase" portion of Sunday’s Hapalua. He is one of 24 elite Hawaii runners who a trio of pro Kenyan marathoners will attempt to catch and pass over the 13.1-mile course that runs through Waikiki, around Daimond Head and back to Kapiolani Park.

The staggered head starts for the local athletes range from seven to 25 minutes with Iacovelli, Allen Wagner and Nate Carlson going off as the last handicap wave at 5:53 a.m. The three should be near Ala Moana Shopping Center by the time the gun goes off in front of the Duke Kahanamoku Statue for Kenyans Patrick Makau, Jimmy Muindi and Nicholas Manza at 6 a.m.

The goal is to stay in front, with pride and a $11,000 prize purse on the Kapiolani Park finish line. Whoever finishes first — handicap or not — earns $5,000.

For Iacovelli, an associate at Morgan Stanley, the money is just a bonus. A huge bonus but not the reason to run.

"For amateur runners like me, I never expected to have this experience," said Iacovelli, fourth in last year’s inaugural event in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 35 seconds. "I’m excited and so fortunate to be part of it.

"It’s such a unique format. Nowhere else in the world is this kind of race happening. To have a handicap race with the (marathon) world record-holder (Makau) in it … A lot of what I do is for the experience and for the uniqueness. It doesn’t get much sweeter than this."

Winning it all would be icing. The cake would be a personal best; Iacovelli is striding for a sub-1:10. (His PR is a 1:10).

"I think I’m capable of that," he said. "It will be difficult to win but you go to a race that day and sometimes great things can happen.

"The challenge is really mental. You have to stay focused on what you’re doing because there are so many factors going. You don’t know where the runners are ahead of you, how close (the Kenyans) are behind you, when to push, when to conserve. This race has so much strategy to it.

"The person who wins will be focused and able to block out all distractions. I think you’re going to see the fastest half-marathon ever run in Hawaii."

Iacovelli is an inspiration to the members the Punahou boys track team, some of whom just became aware that their coach was in Sunday’s elite local field. He has coached at his high school alma mater since returning from the University of Michigan six years ago to run his final collegiate season at Hawaii Pacific.

The former academic All-Big Ten and DII West Regional athlete of the year is slowly transitioning from middle- to long-distance running. He has yet to do a marathon but will … eventually, living the adage that "life is a marathon, not a sprint."

"I like this distance more and more," Iacovelli said of the half-marathon. "The stronger I get, the more I enjoy the longer races.

"For me, the challenge has been to stay healthy. I’ve had everything from the knee down injured. I started working with Dr. Elizabeth Ignacio at Imua Orthopedics and she’s really helped me, has become the CEO of my healing management. I’ve never been healthier."

He has, however, been faster. As he builds up his endurance, the speed will come.

"I’m trying to be patient and intelligent about my racing, just like my high school coach Duncan Macdonald taught me," Iacovelli said. "You need to get mentally stronger as well.

"The great part about long-distance running is you get these little decisions through the race. Do I back off or do I continue to test myself? This race (Sunday) is the greatest format ever. It uncovers an added depth to your effort. Whatever that is, you want it to be your best."

REC CENTER

Benham inducted into tennis hall of fame

The late Clay Benham, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu executive secretary for 32 years, was posthumously inducted into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame last month by the U.S. Tennis Association’s Intermountain Section.

Benham, a 1940 Kamehameha Schools graduate who died in 2002, won the Denver City Open singles title in 1950, ’52 and ’53 as well as the National Public Parks doubles title with Bobby Curtis in 1950.

He also captured the Intermountain singles title in 1950 and ’52, and was a territorial champion in Hawaii playing out of the Beretania Tennis Club from 1943 until his death at age 81.

Following World War II, he was the No. 1 singles and doubles player at the University of Denver for three seasons, coaching the Pioneers, his last two years.

Marathon training clinic starting

The Honolulu Marathon Clinic, which prepares runners for the annual Honolulu Marathon, begins its Sunday sessions this Sunday at Kapiolani Park.

The free clinic starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs Sundays through Dec. 4 except for three-day weekends. The group meets at the park across from Paki Hale.

Participants are split into groups based on experience levels and includes informational talks by Dr. Jack Scaff, Honolulu Marathon founder, as well as training tips.

» honolulumarathonclinic.org.

Fish & Dive Expo Sunday at Blaisdell

The annual Hawaii Fish & Dive Expo, featuring guest speakers big wave surfer Garrett McNamara and Martin Stepanek, founder of Freediving Instructors International, is scheduled for Sunday at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

Top fishing and diving brands will be on display and available for purchase from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Other speakers include Terry Maas, inventor of the free divers recovery vest, and Colleen Gallagher, founder of Diving For A Cause that gives back to communities through the sport of spearfishing.

» facebook.com/fishanddive.

Bodybuilding for high schoolers

The 11th Hawaii High School Bench Press and Mr. & Miss Body Building contests are scheduled for Friday, March 15, at the Ward Warehouse stage.

The free event is limited to Hawaii high school students and begins at 5 p.m. Participants need to register by today and weigh in on March 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the stage area.

For more information, contact sponsoring Olomana School at 266-7870.