For the first time since 2015, the Smoke N Fire Run will celebrate first responders with a family-friendly event in Hilo.
The event is a collaboration between firefighters, police officers, other first responders and community members, with support from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the goal is to promote health, wellness and fire safety.
Families and individuals are invited to join the First Responder Smoke N Fire Run, which includes a timed race-style 5K and a family two-mile run/walk, at the UH-Hilo campus on Sunday, Oct. 1.
“To accompany Fire Prevention Week, we used to do an event called the EMS Run, but we stopped after 2015,” said Tyson Goo, fire inspector. “We decided to do this again, but involve all first responders and create more of an event to go along with the run.”
The run will close a portion of the roads around UH-Hilo from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
West Kawili to Kapiolani streets will be open for one-way traffic with only the south lane open.
Kapiolani Street from West Kawili to Mohouli Street will be completely closed off.
Kumukoa to West Lanikaula streets until Nowelo Street will be closed, but a single lane will remain open for church and YMCA personnel only.
There also will be a Keiki Fun Run and a Fire Safety and Health Fair that will be ongoing during the main run through lunchtime. Families can look at displays from the Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii Fire Department, various branches of the military, Hawaiian Electric and other organizations.
“We want to combine something fun with education about our first responders and other health-related entities,” Goo said.
Keiki will be able to view static displays of emergency vehicles and local community health booths. The Hilo Lincoln Wreckers Organization also will have a concession stand with food from Vai Niu and a keiki fun corner.
The adult run will start at 8:20 a.m., and the kids’ events will start at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the UH-Hilo tennis courts.
All proceeds from the race go to Hilo Vulcan athletics as well as the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
Those interested can register for the races at tinyurl.com/539pmrh6.