Hundreds of runners participated in the Foam Glow Race 5K Run in Kapolei, students who participated described the experience as both fun and rewarding. The money contributed by the students was dedicated in behalf of childhood cancer, and the purpose of the event was to distribute fundraising to local communities, according to its website.
Roche Donato, a sophomore from Qatar majoring in exercise science, said he ran the race with a group of friends from BYU-Hawaii and recalled he had seen other students he recognized participate in the run. He found out about the race through a friend on Facebook who posted months prior to the race, and registration for early admission costed $20 dollars.
“While running, there were some foam stations, maybe like every mile or so. There was a bubble machine you walked through, and then at the end there was a whole party thing going on with tons of foam and music.”
Carolyn Moana Lesieli ‘Ita’aehau, a junior from Tonga majoring in biomedical science, said this was her second race this year; she ran the Bubble Run 5K race on Jan. 20. “It was super fun, so I wanted to do it again.
“My goal is to consistently exercise this year because I have knee problems I need to take care of, and even when I was already exercising, I didn’t feel like I had to train for doing the race. I was like I am going to walk, run, and have fun.”
The money runners paid to participate would go to charity, said ‘Ita’aehau. “I am from Tonga and stuff like that doesn’t really happen, so coming here and just to be able to do that for charity, I loved it.”
Kristi Nelson, an undeclared freshman from Arizona, said she also ran both of the 5K races. “It was fun to see friends and people from school there, and it is really cool that we can have fun while also supporting a cause. It’s a good 5K to run for fun, to be a little more active and to support a children’s cancer foundation.”
Though she thought she wasn’t going to be able to run the whole time, Nelson shared how she ended up running the entire race after being encouraged by her boyfriend. “It was easy for him, not as easy for me, but I felt good afterwards, and I am glad he pushed me through it and encouraged me to run. He believed in me. I recommend it.
“I recommend to anyone who does this run in the future to bring glow sticks, because when you get there you wish you had brought them.” Nelson added how she enjoyed seeing participants prepare for the event by their white T-shirts with different colors.
Using social media in a way to look for opportunities to serve in the community is the best way to find out about these type of events, ‘Ita’aehau suggested. When she realized the Foam Glow race was for a charity, she felt more inclined to do it.
“After I did that run, my Facebook shows different charities that are happening around the island. I would like to know about more opportunities to serve and contribute locally.”
Writer: Jessica Gonzalez Leon