Kukini raises prize money

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

It is the state's only road race in which local residents are guaranteed the entire purse.

The second King Kamehameha Kukini four-miler on June 7 will offer Hawaii's distance runners an unprecedented chance to cash in on their efforts.

The Kukini, which debuted last year with a purse of $6,850, offering money to the top three finishers in the men's and women's open divisions, the in-line skater and wheelchair divisions, and the top two in the masters, has increased its purse to $7,400.

Open runners of both genders who finish first through sixth in the open division will qualify for cash prizes. In the masters divisions, the cash positions will be first through third.

Winners of the men's and women's open divisions will receive $1,000. Second place is worth $500, third is $300, fourth is $200, fifth is $100 and sixth is $50.

The top men's and women's masters division (40 and over) prize is $500. Second-place finishers will get $250 and third will get $100.

Skaters can take home $500, $250 and $100 in the open division, while masters skaters can win $250, $100 and $50.

The wheelchair division breakdown is $100, $50 and $25.

Prep and college runners are ineligible to accept cash prizes.

The race will start on the Monsarrat side of Kapiolani Park and finishes at Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues.