Hapalua Team Challenge
The Hapalua Invitational Team Challenge is the elite racing format at the Hapalua with a $5,000 prize purse.
The best local runners in Hawaii are divided into two teams, each captained by a professional. The teams go head-to-head and the best overall score wins.
Here’s a simplified explanation:
- Teams: There are two teams: Team Duke Statue and Team Diamond Head. Each team has 12 members who are among the top runners residing in Hawaii.
- Captains: Both teams will be led by professional athletes who act as captains, Afewerki Zeru and Tuemay Weldlibanos Tsegay.
- Race Start: All members of both teams will begin the race simultaneously with the mass start at 6 a.m.
- Handicap System: To level the playing field, each runner receives a handicap based on their current form and expected time. This system aims to balance out differences in ability and ensure a competitive race regardless of individual runner’s baseline speeds.
- Winning Criteria: The winning team will be the one with the best top 10 individual placements after handicap, scored by their finish place. The competition focuses on the collective performance of the team.
- Prize: The winning team will be awarded a $5,000 prize to share!
This format adds a strategic layer to racing, emphasizing not just individual prowess but also teamwork and strategy in overcoming the handicaps.
So, are you leaning more towards the spirit of Team Duke or Team Diamond Head?
Tsegay Tuemay Weldlibanos Team Duke's Statue 
Tsegay Tuemay Weldlibanos, age 29 (Team Duke's Statue, Captain) Handiap: 00:00
Jeremy Morgan Team Duke's Statue 
Jeremy Morgan, age 27, (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 10:30
Jay Dela Cruz Team Duke's Statue 
Jay Dela Cruz , age 43 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 13:00
Kevin Enriques Team Duke's Statue 
Kevin Enriques, age 36 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 14:30
Amanda Beaman Team Duke's Statue 
Amanda Beaman, age 26 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 21:00
Marissa Kunsch Team Duke's Statue 
Missy Kunsch, age 30 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 22:00
Mikayla Fujiwara Team Duke's Statue 
Mikayla Fujiwara, age 26 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 24:00
Laura Ankrum Team Duke's Statue 
Laura Ankrum, age 52, (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 26:00
Mieko Ochsner Team Duke's Statue 
Mieko Ochsner, age 48 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 27:00
Afewerki Zeru Team Diamond Head 
Afewerki Zeru, age 27 (Team Diamond Head, Captain) Handicap: 00:00
Dani Polerecky Team Diamond Head 
Dani Polerecky, age 30 (Team Diamond Head, Pro) Handicap: 11:30
Kū Kaahanui Team Diamond Head 
Kuikaika Kaahanui, age 28 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 7:00
Patrick Stover Team Duke Statue 
Patrick Stover, age 36 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 14:30
Emily Reynolds Team Diamond Head 
Emily Reynolds, age 34 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 22:00
Kristen Maxwell Team Diamond Head 
Kristen Maxwell, age 26 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 25:00
Noemaikealohaiku’ulei (Noe) Lum Team Diamond Head 
Noemaikealohaiku'ulei (Noe) Lum, age 28 Handicap: 27:00
Tsegay Tuemay Weldlibanos Team Duke's Statue 
Tsegay Tuemay Weldlibanos, age 29 (Team Duke's Statue, Captain) Handiap: 00:00
Jeremy Morgan Team Duke's Statue 
Jeremy Morgan, age 27, (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 10:30
Jay Dela Cruz Team Duke's Statue 
Jay Dela Cruz , age 43 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 13:00
Kevin Enriques Team Duke's Statue 
Kevin Enriques, age 36 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 14:30
Amanda Beaman Team Duke's Statue 
Amanda Beaman, age 26 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 21:00
Marissa Kunsch Team Duke's Statue 
Missy Kunsch, age 30 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 22:00
Mikayla Fujiwara Team Duke's Statue 
Mikayla Fujiwara, age 26 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 24:00
Laura Ankrum Team Duke's Statue 
Laura Ankrum, age 52, (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 26:00
Mieko Ochsner Team Duke's Statue 
Mieko Ochsner, age 48 (Team Duke’s Statue) Handicap: 27:00
Afewerki Zeru Team Diamond Head 
Afewerki Zeru, age 27 (Team Diamond Head, Captain) Handicap: 00:00
Dani Polerecky Team Diamond Head 
Dani Polerecky, age 30 (Team Diamond Head, Pro) Handicap: 11:30
Kū Kaahanui Team Diamond Head 
Kuikaika Kaahanui, age 28 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 7:00
Patrick Stover Team Duke Statue 
Patrick Stover, age 36 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 14:30
Emily Reynolds Team Diamond Head 
Emily Reynolds, age 34 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 22:00
Kristen Maxwell Team Diamond Head 
Kristen Maxwell, age 26 (Team Diamond Head) Handicap: 25:00
Noemaikealohaiku’ulei (Noe) Lum Team Diamond Head 
Noemaikealohaiku'ulei (Noe) Lum, age 28 Handicap: 27:00