Hapalua athletes inspire on the run

Inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places and from total strangers.

For Alice Liggett, it came in the Mid-Pacific Institute cafeteria and from a woman twice her age living a world away. Surprisingly, it all made sense because Liggett connected with former Kenyan Olympian Isabella Ochichi, sharing the common bonds of running and recovery from injury.

The 34-year-old Ochichi, here to compete in Sunday’s Hapalua, has returned to the pro ranks after a seven-year layoff due to two injuries and the birth of her son, Pardon, in 2010. Liggett, fourth in the state cross country meet as a junior, sat out last fall, rehabbing as well.

"I sat out a few months, but she sat out seven years and still wants to come back," said Liggett, who was sixth in the 400 at last year’s state track meet. "I have been struggling, have had a hard time coming back to where I was last year.

"Hearing someone like her speak, it motivates you. It was so inspiring."

Liggett and her MPI teammates listened to Ochichi and her training partner, Patrick Makau, on Wednesday after school. The Owls runners also got tips from Ochichi and Makau, also here for the Hapalua, on stretching and warming up before jogging around the MPI football field.

"The kids were so excited to meet world-class athletes," MPI athletic director Scott Wagner said. "We’re very lucky to have the opportunity. You read these times and these are world record-holders. They can do a half-marathon in under an hour. That blows me away."

There is monetary incentive and pride for Chasers Makau, Ochichi and Peter Kiriu to blow away Team Hawaii during the Chase handicapped race. The purse is $11,000, with $5,000 to the first to cross the Kapiolani Park finish line; money is awarded to the top 10.

Makau, who holds the world record at this distance (58 minutes, 52 seconds in 2011) and Kiriu, whose best is 59:39, will be in the mass start at 6 a.m. Team Hawaii, with 24 local elite runners divided into six groups, is given head starts between 41⁄2 and 21 minutes.

Ochichi’s PR is 1:08:38. She’s in the final starting group and has a faster half-marathon time than any Hawaii runner entered.

Given the head start, the first female chaser has a good chance to finish first. The race also gives the Kenyan Police Service senior sergeant a preview of the finishing portion of the Honolulu Marathon; she intends to return in December.

"My hope is to serve my country again in the Olympics in 2016," said Ochichi, the silver medalist in the 2004 Athens Games in the 5,000.

"I come to Hawaii for the first time and I like the people, they are very hospitable. I hope to do really well on Sunday. And I hope to inspire the runners here (at Mid-Pac) to work hard. I know it is hard to be a student and an athlete. I know because I was a serious runner when in school at 17. It all depends on how much you want it."