Hapalua Team Challenge

Amanuel Mesel, age 35, Team Captain

Eritrean runner Amanuel is trained by James McKirdy in Flagstaff.

He recently completed the 2025 Honolulu Marathon and placed 5th overall.

Accomplishments:

3rd 2025 Grandma’s Marathon

3rd 2020 Houston Marathon

PR:

Marathon – 2:08:17, Valencia, November 17 2013

Samantha McClintock, Team Captain

Making her half marathon debut.  Samantha is an Olympic Trials qualifier over the 5000m as well as holding a 10km road personal best of 33:25

Jay Dela Cruz , age 44 (Team Duke’s Statue)

Completed 36 full marathons
Abbott Seven World Marathon Majors Finisher – all sub-3 hours:
—       Chicago 2024 – 2:37:01
—       Sydney 2024 – 2:39:39
—       Tokyo 2024 – 2:40:36
—       Boston 2025 – 2:42:06
—       New York 2025 – 2:40:40
—       London 2023 – 2:40:02
—       Berlin 2021 – 2:57:50

5-Time Boston Marathon Finisher (Course PR 2:42:06)
3-Time Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon Champion (2022, 2023, 2024)

I am a resident of Honolulu and I currently work in the Business Services Department of one of the largest healthcare providers in Hawaii. While my professional life keeps me busy,  I also love to travel when I get a chance. I have been fortunate enough to visit more than 50 countries.  My passion to travel and love of running also led me to participate marathon races in different parts of the world. In addition to the seven world majors, I’ve run marathons in Athens, Greece; Auckland, New Zealand; and Reykjavik, Iceland.

PRs

10K – 34:53 (2025)
Half Marathon – 1:17:21 (2025)
Marathon – 2:33:00 (2023)

Ben Payne, age 44 (Team Duke Statue)

-My biggest fans: wife Erin and kids Palmer, Bria & Piper

-2004 Air Force Academy graduate

-USAF pilot stationed at Hickam Field; member of Colorado Air National guard

-3-time competitor at USA Marathon Olympic Trials (2016, 2020, 2024)

-2-time World Military Games competitor (2015, 2019)

-9th place overall at 2016 NYC Marathon

-1st Hawaii Resident in 2025 Honolulu Marathon

-Second time on Team Hawaii in The Hapalua!

PR’s:

Marathon – 2:15

Half – 1:03

10k – 28:36

5k – 13:44

Missy Kunsch, age 31 (Team Duke’s Statue)

Missy is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University where she competed on the cross-country team for 4 years and coached as a post grad for 5 years. She currently works full-time at the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, and is an assistant cross country and track coach at Punahou School. Missy has competed in 13marathons including Honolulu, Boston, New York, Chicago and Berlin. Missy enjoys training with her friends and Kaka’ako Run Club.

PRs:

2:54 for marathon

1:20:22 for half marathon.

MeiMei Bayman, age 22 (Team Duke Statue)

I started running in 7^th grade and continued running competitively in college. I am currently working in wealth management and coaching the cross country and track teams at ‘Iolani. In addition to running, I enjoy baking, hiking, and going to the beach.

PRs:

Marathon: 3:36:21

10k – 39:35

Noemaikealohaiku’ulei (Noe) Lum, age 29 (Team Duke Statue)

Kevin Enriques, age 37 (Team Duke Statue)

Excited to join Team Hawaii for the 8th time as I though last year would be my last with all the up and coming fast runners, but happy to still be included.  I started running my Senior year in high school where I qualified for States in Cross Country.  However, I never got to compete because I decided to go to States for Bowling which happened on the same day on a different island (probably only a Hawaii problem).  People still joke with me for deciding on Bowling over cross country; however, in high school you never really know what you will excel at long term.

After high school I walked onto the HPU Cross Country team with the encouragement of my Track and Field assistant coach.  I improved and was team Captain my Senior year where I made Division 2 All-Pac West Second Team 2007-2009.  After college I continued to enjoy running and was Top Male Kama’aina in 2010 and 2016 Honolulu Marathon.  PRs include 33:30 at 10k, 1:17:29 at half marathon, and 2:53:58 at the marathon.  Although I’ve had my fair share of injuries that have prevented me from running from months to over a year, local races like the Hapalua, Great Aloha Run (which is no longer) and the Ekiden have kept me motivated to get back in shape. In my professional life I am an Internal Auditor at a nonprofit health care organization.  Thank you again for this opportunity, and I am looking forward to racing with everyone on race day.

10k PR 33:30

Half Marathon PR 1:17:29

Marathon PR 2:53:58

Running Accomplishments: Top Male Kama’aina in 2010 and 2016 Honolulu Marathon.  This will be my 7th year being on Hapalua’s Team Hawaii.  

Zachary Lee, age 36 (Team Duke Statue)

My biggest supporters are my wife, Laurie, and my kids, Mason and Maia. We love spending time as a family and traveling to explore new places. I am a general dentist working in private practice in Aiea. My other hobbies include playing soccer and golf. I am honored to be a member of Team Hawaii for the third time this year, and I’m excited for this year’s race as it is my first time participating under the new team format!

Accomplishments:
Kamaaina Male Champion at the Honolulu Marathon – 2018, 2023
Winner of The Chase at the Hapalua – 2023

PR’s:
Half Marathon – 1:16:10
Marathon: 2:41:10

Kale Glunt, age 23 (Team Duke Statue)

Lives in Mililani, Hawaii. Works at Tripler Army Medical Center as a Physical Therapy Specialist.  When not running or working he enjoys watching Naruto and eating Ramen with his wife. Follow me on strava @Kale Glunt.

Accomplishments:

8 Hour Ultra: 60 miles

Army Ten Miler: 55:54

Honolulu Marathon 2:41:08

Chris Murphy, age 38 (Team Duke Statue)

I got into endurance sports later in life through triathlon and have raced multiple Ironmans, including Ironman Japan and the Boston marathon. I love living in Hawaii with my wife and daughter and spend free time on the water spearfishing and biking. I work as a CTO in defense tech which is about as far from athletics as you can get, so its a great balance!

2026 Maui Oceanfront Marathon – 1st Place

PRs: 10k – 35:24 Half Marathon – 1:20:42 Marathon – 2:44:56

Lisa Swartzfager, age 41 (Team Duke Statue)

Lisa is a lawyer at Cades Schutte. She has run 14 marathons, including Boston, Big Sur, and Chicago.  She recently started biking and is training for her first triathlon (Honu 70.3). Lisa loves travelling, cats, and the outdoors.

Her recent race results include 39:22 at the 2026 King’s Runner 10K (4th overall female) and 3:14:50 at the 2025 California International Marathon.

Emily Reynolds, age 35  (Team Duke Statue)

Excited to represent Team Hawaii for the 5th year in a row! Former competitive swimmer turned triathlete, also hopping in various open water swim races, cycling, and running races across Hawaii. Works full time for NOAA Fisheries with an international fisheries focus and personal trainer on the side. Originally from Maryland but has lived on Oahu for over 5 years! Enjoys as much time outside/in the ocean as possible!

PR’s include 2025 Kings Runner 10k (38:22) and 2025 Hapalua Half Marathon (1:26:18) and 2025 Chicago Marathon (2:58).  She was the 2023 Honolulu Marathon Hawaii Resident female champion (3:11)

Sidney Triepke, age 25 (Team Duke Statue)

I am from Montana and currently in the Coast Guard. Started running 3 years ago before then played hockey and lacrosse. Enjoy spending time outside, baking, and surfing. Ran first marathon this past December, qualified for Boston 2027. Half PR is 1:24, other than that ran shorter distances in college. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the course.

Tesfu Tewelde, age 28 (Team Captain)

Tesfu is an Eritrean runner being coached in Flagstaff my James McKirdy.

PR:

Marathon 2:10:21

Melissa Berry, Team Captain

Living in Flagstaff, she is coached by Jack Polerecky (McKirdy Trained)

Marathon PR – 2:36:11

Kuikaika Kaahanui, age 29 (Team Diamond Head)

-Kings Runner 10k 1st Place 2026

31:22 10k

1:09:11 1/2M

2:57 Marathon

I run a food bank in Kalihi out of St.Elizabeth’s Church and work at Boca Hawaii. My goals this year are to compete at the Kona Ironman and improve my marathon time at the Honolulu Marathon.

Tom Jordon, age 28 (Team Diamond Head)

am a Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter pilot working out of Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei. I’m originally from Doylestown, PA but have lived in Hawaii for four years now.

I ran all through high school and competed on the DIII cross country and track teams for the US Coast Guard Academy. I’ve run 4:28 for the mile, 15:50 for the 5k, and 2:50 in the marathon. I’ve recently made more of a switch to Triathlon but am excited to be on the team this year!

PR’s:

Mile: 4:28

5K: 15:50

10K: 33:48

Marathon: 2:54:10

Jeremy Morgan, age 28, (Team Diamond Head)

I was a 2-time cross country national qualifier while running for Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois. Then, I competed in cross country and track for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After receiving my degree in Environmental Science I moved to Hawaii where I am currently a biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I was the top Hawaii resident finisher for the 2023 Honolulu Marathon with a time of 2:37:43 and 2nd place overall in the 2025 Great Aloha Run.

PRs include:

5k: 16:18

8k: 27:02

10k: 33:21

Half Marathon: 1:11:49

Caitlyn Tateishi, age 39 (Team Diamond Head)

Born and raised in Hilo, HI. Ran NCAA Division III cross-country and track for Pacific University. 2016 Baltimore Marathon Female Champion. Qualified for and competed in the 2020 Marathon Olympic Trials. 2025 Honolulu Marathon Female Kama‘aina Champion. Proud mother of 2. Board member of Big Island Road Runners and active member of Hilo Run Club.

PRs:

50 mile: 7:21:48

50K: 5:59:36

Marathon: 2:43:35

Half Marathon: 1:20:07

10k: 37:18

5k: 17:19

Mile: 5:20

Briley Moates, age 31, (Team Diamond Head)

After sprinting for my high school track team and casually running throughout college and grad school, I found my love for distance running and racing when I joined Hilo Run Club in 2024. Since then, I have enjoyed setting and reaching new goals alongside the group, and I feel honored to represent Big Island and Team Hawaii at the 2026 Hapalua! Outside of running, I am a full-time dentist and faculty member for the AEGD residency program at Hawaii Island Community Health Center.

I am also an assistant coach for the cross country and track & field teams at Hilo High School (go Viks!). Additional activities that I love include weekly sunrise surf sessions, hiking, camping, baking cakes, petting my neighbor’s cat, and spending time with my husband and friends.

Recent accomplishments:

2025 Hilo Run Club Beer Mile: 1st Female, 3rd overall

2025 Hilo Jingle Bell 5k: 1st Female, 1st team overall

2026 Hilo to Volcano 50k Relay: 1st team overall

2026 Waikaumalo 7 mile: 2nd Female

2026 Big Island International Half Marathon: 1st Female, 4th overall

Macy Putman, age 27 (Team Diamond Head)

I work as an Emergency Room nurse here on Oahu. I’m originally from Erie, Pennsylvania where I grew up playing soccer, freestyle skiing, and running cross country/track. Between soccer and skiing- I had countless knee injuries- my left ACL is still torn!

Aside from running in high school, I really started running in early 2024 training with North Shore run club with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon- which I am running this April! I’ve ran 5 marathons in total, starting in December 2024 and the most recent in January of this year which was my PR at a 2:55. I was the top female resident finisher in Honolulu Marathon 2025, and finished 3rd overall female at Kings Runner 10K this year. I love the marathon distance, but am excited to do the Hapalua half as a part of team Hawai’i!

Andrea Barrameda, age 31 (Team Diamond Head)

Matt Takane, age 27 (Team Diamond Head)

Aaron Bennett, age 27 (Team Diamond Head)

Patrick Stover, age 37 (Team Diamond Head)

While I was in high school, I started running competitively on Konawaena’s track and cross-country teams. Today, I am still running, not just to compete but because it grounds me. Life can be so busy and complicated, so when I need an escape, I just lace up my running shoes and go! There is nothing like a good run to help you find solutions to things going on in life. It always gives me the best perspective on what I want, what I need, and what I truly can go without. When I’m not working at Bike Works, our local bike shop, helping other runners and athletes get outside and reach their goals, you can find me either on a trail or the road, running to my own tune. Aside from running, I like to work around the house, cook yummy, local-inspired meals for my wife and I, relax, and play with our three cats Mana, Kaia, and Nakoa.

Accomplishments: