A measure to fund development, promotion and marketing of events such as the H-3 footrace, the Pro Bowl, the Hawaiian Open and the Honolulu Marathon has cleared the Senate Finance Committee and seems bound for passage.

The wording of the bill does not specify a dollar amount and it does not indicate how each locally produced event would benefit. That will be decided by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which would distribute the funding.

"I truly did not know about this bill," said Dr. Jack Scaff, the Great Trans Ko'olau Trek race director.

Scaff has been adamant in public statements that he would not ask for state money to fund the event.

But yesterday, Scaff said he might use money that could be provided by DBEDT if the bill becomes law to restore prize money that has fallen through for the race.

A $100,000 purse Scaff announced last November never materialized.

He said there are "eight to 10 world class runners" currently inquiring about coming to run in the Great Trans Ko'olau Trek, but their presence is contingent upon prize money.

Only two runners with professional credentials, Amy Legacki (Michigan) and Eric Polonski (Texas), have committed to run. Their expenses will be paid by "an anonymous benefactor," Scaff said.

Neither is considered a world class competitor.

Scaff also said that he is now working on a deal to have a production company tape and nationally broadcast the race. Whether there will be a fee for the services of the production company, or if the unnamed network is willing to cover the event on its merits, Scaff did not say.

He also said that the race committee was "debating whether to apply" for a basic DBEDT grant by the April 11 deadline.

He said such grants never exceed $15,000.

But last night, Scaff appeared to be less enthusiastic about taking state money.

"Since we can put on the race without it, why take it?" he said.

"The event itself is secure. If it (taking the money) will tarnish our image, maybe we shouldn't take it. We will do what we think is best."

Despite reports to the contrary, Scaff insists, "There are no outstanding accounts against the Great Trans Ko'olau Trek."

He said entry fees will take care of expenses.

The local entry fee of $39 has been a point of contention with Hawaii runners who wanted to participate. Many have said it is too expensive and out of line with other local entry fees.

The Honolulu Marathon charges $30 for its 26.2-mile event.

Scaff has said that the expense of busing runners to the start and back to the start from the stadium is a major reason for the high fee.

But the fact that the race will have only two aid stations before the stadium finish line has been a concern to some.

The entry fee for local residents jumped by $20 to $59 yesterday.

One reason given in the bill for the need to subsidize sporting events is that they "provide tremendous tourism benefits to Hawaii."

Scaff projected last year that the race would draw as many as 100,000 runners and become the largest timed footrace in history. That projection has shrunk by about 80 percent.

Estimates on current registration for the race range from 9,000 to 15,000. Plans to bring in large tour groups to the race also have fallen through.