Aloha and Mahalo are the two most known words in the Hawaiian language, basically meaning ‘how are you’ and ‘thank you’ respectively.
But slowly, habari and asante sana are becoming bywords here too, thanks to the success of Kenyans on the roads of Honolulu, Hawaii.
A tradition that’s being maintained this year when the tourism state hosts the 46th Honolulu Marathon later Sunday with Kenya seeking an unprecedented 48th men’s title.
Jummy Muindi holds the record of six wins with pioneer Ibrahim Hussein, the first man to win a major marathon in USA, having broken ground with his hat-trick of victories in 1985, 86 and 87.
From left: Kenyan athletes Edward Cheserk, Mirriam Cherop and Leonard Bett during the Kalakaua Merrie Mile in Waikiki, Hawaii. PHOTO | HONOLULU MARATHON
His brother Mbarak Hussein also hit a hatch-trick with wins in 1998, 2001 and 2002.
The rich Kenyan tradition continues in the early hours of Saturday when Edward Cheserek, a Kenyan living in Flagstaff, Arizona, successfully defended his title at the third annual Kalakaua Merrie Mile in Waikiki.
HONOLULU MARATHON
This race usually curtain-raises for the main Honolulu Marathon
Cheserek clocked the fastest-ever mile in the state of Hawaii: three minutes, 54.83 seconds. Cheserek, 24, a 17-time USA collegiate champion when he competed for the University of Oregon, won by only 6/100ths of a second over newcomer Leonard Bett, 18.
Cheserek clocked the fastest-ever mile in the state of Hawaii: three minutes, 54.83 seconds. Cheserek, 24, a 17-time USA collegiate champion when he competed for the University of Oregon, won by only 6/100ths of a second over newcomer Leonard Bett, 18.
Most certainly, bett is one to watch, having made an auspicious road mile debut here in 3:54.89.
Cheserek, who only gained the front position as the pair leaned at the finish line won $4,000 (Sh400,000) in prize money.
This race uses a handicap format where the elite women are given a 26-second head start over the elite men.
This race uses a handicap format where the elite women are given a 26-second head start over the elite men.
