Service Members Set the Pace for Great Aloha Run

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Eric J. Cutright

HONOLULU (NNS) -- Service members from all five branches participated in the 27th Annual Great Aloha Run which began in downtown Honolulu on Feb. 21.

The Great Aloha Run is 8.15 miles in length starting at Aloha Tower and ending inside Aloha Stadium.

The military formation called the "Sounds of Freedom," comprised of more than 3,500 men and women began the race seven minutes early at 6:53 a.m. during a silent start.

"It felt great to be a part of the Sounds of Freedom out here today," said Lt. Shawn Osborne, command chaplain onboard USS Port Royal (CG 73). "It really motivates you when you have everyone cheering you on. You don't really think about the time and the distance too much."

Lt. j.g. Kyle Aquino, assigned to USS Port Royal (CG 73), spoke of the military's involvement in this year's race.

"I feel that it is really important for the men and women that make up our Armed Forces to come out and show our presence and represent," said Aquino. "I think that the people were just excited to see us out there and participating."

The military presence has been lower in recent years due to an increase in deployments but still managed higher numbers this year than in the previous decade.

"Back in the late 80's we had 10,000 Sounds of Freedom and we were [previously] up to like 32,000 on the course," said race director, Carol Jaxon. "That would have been 22,000 local people running and the rest being military. I do know that definitely in the last decade this is our biggest number."

The Great Aloha Run is recognized as one of the top 100 road races in the country since its inauguration back in 1984, which drew in approximately than 12,000 runners.

Over the past 27 years the Great Aloha Run has raised approximately $8.6 million in support of more than 150 non-profit health and human service organizations as well as community service groups throughout Hawaii.

"It's important that we help our community because that's what it's all about. This race is for the people, by the people, and all the money goes back to the people," said Carole Kai Onouye, race founder.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacenhawaii/.