SOUTH MAUI – Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual Run & Walk for the Whales will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. One of Maui’s largest sporting events, Run & Walk for the Whales starts and ends at the Maalaea Harbor Shops.

Participants can choose between the Half Marathon (6:30 a.m.), 10K run (7 a.m.), 5K run (7:15 a.m.), 4K walk (7:20 a.m.), or a 1K run (7:20 a.m.) for keiki ages 12 and under. Professional chip timing is included for runners in the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, plus clock timing for the 4K Walk and 1K Keiki Run.

Medals and a pair of whale watch tickets will be awarded to each of the top three male and female overall finishers in the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, plus medals presented three deep in the male and female age divisions. All Half Marathon runners will receive a finisher medal, and Keiki 1K runners will receive a souvenir of their participation. All registered participants will receive an official Run & Walk for the Whales T-shirt.

There will be a post-race continental breakfast and awards ceremony for participants, along with valuable door prizes. Island favorite Marty Dread will keep everyone entertained with live music and dancing. Participants are also invited to take a post-race whale watch departing from Maalaea Harbor, where they will receive 40 percent off their cruise.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s marine education team is offering a morning version of Ocean Camp on race day for children ages four to 12. The program takes place from 6 to 10 a.m. at PWF’s Discovery Center in Maalaea and costs $25 per child. Pre-registration is required. Call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811, extension 1, to sign up.

Run & Walk for the Whales is directed by a RRCA-Certified Race Director and sanctioned by USA Track & Field. All proceeds from the event support Pacific Whale Foundation’s whale research in Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific, marine education programs for Maui schoolchildren, and ocean conservation programs, including efforts to prevent marine debris and to end whaling worldwide.

Online registration for the Run & Walk for the Whales closes at midnight Feb. 1. For more information, e-mail run@pacificwhale.org or visit worldwhaleday.org for more details on this and other events.