Haleiwa NiteRun To Raise Funds For Diabetes Research

How can a run featuring flashlights, live music and a Santa costume contest not be fun?

The Haleiwa NightRun winds through the trails, sand and abandoned runways of Oahu’s scenic North Shore Saturday (Dec. 13).

Participants are provided with a headlamp and T-shirt, as well as water and snacks during the race. Everything else is up to you. Prizes will be awarded for the best and brightest costume, so unpack the reflectors, glow sticks, neon paint or anything that shines or illuminates. Costume categories are Best-lit Santa costume, Best-lit Mrs. Claus costume, Best-lit Mr. & Mrs. Claus pair costume, Best-lit Xmas tree costume, Best-lit Candy Cane costume, Best-lit Family of Elves (not Elvis) group costume and Best-lit Snowman costume.

The run is open to everyone age 10 and over, and includes a stroller division for runners with the smallest elves. In addition to the run, there also will be food, music from Roothub, DJ JenR8R and Paul Izak, a keiki area with bounce houses, a water slide and a Santa photo booth.

“We are going for a full-on family-friendly event,” said race founder John Henderson. “It is kid friendly and … we hope it will bring together the North Shore community during these festive times.”

Beyond all the exercise and holiday silliness, all race proceeds benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Hawaii, whose mission is to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through research.

According to American Diabetes Association, more than 107,000 in Hawaii have diabetes and 390,800 are living with pre-diabetes. Complications from diabetes include high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, and skin and eye complications.

The Haleiwa NightRun family fair goes from 4 to 9 p.m., with the 5K Fun Run/Walk beginning at 7 p.m. Racers meet at Haleiwa

Beach Park at 6:45 for a mandatory race safety meeting. Cost is $45. Students, military and HGEA members get $10 off. Packet pickup and same-day registration are available from 2 to 6 p.m. on race day at Haleiwa Beach Park.