There were 180 teams that participated. A large number from Japan and a great turn out from Hawaii. It is a big draw for Japanese to come and participate because the relay race is also paired with a great outdoor concert the night after the race with popular Japanese band SCANDAL (this year) along with a few other bands.
I passed off the sash to Sid. He took off running and did a great job completing leg 4. Our next runner had a long and hot run but made us proud with 10 minute miles. The anchor, the man, finished the race with a very impressive mile time of 6 minutes. As he was coming through to the finish line, Team HI CLASS gathered just before the finish line and ran with him through the finish line. He came up so quickly I couldn’t even keep up with him (pretty embarrassing and now there is a video on Facebook that will allow the moment to be replayed, forever!). But what a great moment to finish the race with these great team members.
Some teams were serious about the race and their times, while my team was not that concerned. I am not a fast runner by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy the activity of running.
Personal motivation is one thing but having a team of people who are positive and encourage you is at a whole other level. I was incredibly lucky to be supported, even though I did not perform to the level which I had hoped, by a team that made me incredibly proud to be a part of!
Best,
MJ