365Kona Newbies Help Raise $3000 During First “Race for the Reef” 10k in Kailua Kona

When the Reef Teach Program Director contacted me in January and let me know that the reef safe sunscreen dispenser I had raised funds for through our 365Kona Newbies group was in need of a refill, I had to think of a fundraiser that could become an annual event to keep the sunscreen flowing to help the coral reef at Kahaluu Bay.

So, I created a “non-sanctioned” race and created a GoFundMe to raise money to benefit The Kohala Center, and their Reef Teach Program’s “Free Reef Safe Sunscreen” dispensers at the bay. The race was held from Keauhou Bay to Kailua Bay on March 20,2022 and from pier to pier it was almost exactly a 10k! I let people know about the race through my 365Kona Newbies group on Facebook and if they wanted to join in, they could. I ended up feeling like Forrest Gump running across America!

My husband, Eric and I started training in November for the race and I incrementally went from running 2 miles to 5 1/2 miles by way of the Walua Road Trail and the Makeo Walking Trail near the Old Airport. We ran the Kona Brewer’s Fest 10k the week prior to “my race” to make sure we were ready!

This video shows you the race and the amazing people who not only helped run the race, but help me set it up and raised, along with many donations on the GoFundMe, almost $3000!

Thanks to all the donors and 365Kona Newbies who joined me out on the course on March 20, 2022..the day before my birthday. What a gift!

The reef safe sunscreen is provided to all visitors and helps keep chemical sunscreen from entering the bay and stopping the spawning of the coral reef. The Reef Teach program volunteers help educate visitors to the impact toxic sunscreen has on the reefs along our shoreline.

If you would like to join the 365Kona Newbies group, click here and please answer the questions https://www.facebook.com/groups/KonaNewbies/ If you would like to learn more about what we offer the community, check out more stories here on 365Kona.com and 365Hawaii.info.