Despite the threat of stormy skies that failed to materialize, approximately 18,000 elite and amateur runners — some of them wearing costumes, carrying flags or pushing baby strollers — ran in this morning’s 8.15-mile Hawai’i Pacific Health 34th Great Aloha Run from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium.

Race organizers worried that thunder and lightning could force the closure of the race. Instead, “it was gorgeous,” said race spokeswoman Donna Fouts.

Before the race began at 7 a.m. “we could see the stars,” Fouts said.

And elite runners enjoyed the relatively cool racing conditions because “it was cool and not too humid,” Fouts said.