Memorial 5k event to honor 6-time Hawaii Fastest Human, Chad Miyamoto

Chad Miyamoto was in his groove as a sprinter, winning the Hawaii’s Fastest Human title six times.

Miyamoto died on Sept. 17, just four months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

“It was so sudden. He was diagnosed in May and he was gone in September,” Jonathan Lyau said. “Even now, I know a lot of people didn’t know he’s passed on. Other people were shocked.”

Lyau, now a cross country coach at ‘Iolani, remembers a man who loved to give. For many years, Miyamoto would volunteer at Lyau’s cross country camp back in the day, a sprinter helping young, aspiring distance runners with his time and energy. Lyau helped set up the Chad Miyamoto Memorial 5k “Sprint” to help raise funds to defray the costs of his medical care.

Participants can sign up here and conduct their 5k run any time between now and Nov. 2.

“As long as you can complete it in 98 minutes. Anyone can walk three miles, thinking of Chad while they’re doing it,” Lyau said.

The cost of $10.95 represents Miyamoto’s best time at the Fastest Human race, 10.95 seconds.

“I think it’s something that would honor him because he would run some distance runs with us at cross country camp. He wasn’t a distance guy, but he would run and be patient with the distance runners, help with their form. At my camp, he talked about getting ready for races,” Lyau said.

Miyamoto graduated from Aiea, then Whitworth College.

“He’s helped a broad range of student-athletes. His reach was pretty wide,” Lyau said of Miyamoto, who was a physical education teacher at Soto Academy. “He also helped coach at Mililani, Kamehameha and Roosevelt.”