From sunrise to sunset, Jeff Kozlovich raced against time.

He lost his entourage of supporters during his faster-than-expected pace, and raised nearly $1,000 for the American Lung Association in Hawai'i.

Kozlovich, 49, did his recent "Race With the Sun" as a fund-raiser he created for ALA because he grew up with chronic bronchitis and lost his aunt to lung cancer. With no other competitors, Kozlovich chose to race against the sun in the daylong run and paddleboard event that started at sunrise and aimed to finish before sunset.

"I was looking for something competitive, unique and never been done before," said Kozlovich, who dreamed up the idea while chatting with friend and fellow lifeguard Bill Goding.

But once Kozlovich, who has done triathlons and water sports, discussed the idea of running from Ala Moana Beach Park to Kailua via the Pali, then paddleboarding back to Ala Moana, he was stuck.

"Once I said it, you kind of have to do it," Kozlovich said. "You lose a lot of respect when you say things like that and don't follow through. I was like I'm committed now."

On June 7, he started at sunrise at 5:49 a.m. He ran through Ala Moana Center, up Ward Avenue and turned on Prospect Street before going up Pali Highway. He turned off on Nu'uanu Road, which took him up to the Pali Lookout and onto Old Pali Road, which led him down to the Pali Golf Course and eventually into the streets of Kailua.

After a sandwich, he started on his paddleboard from Kailua Beach back to Ala Moana. Everything was going better than expected until he hit a strong headwind and conditions became bumpy and choppy.

"The first four hours until I got around Hanauma Bay was the most difficult paddle I had done," said Kozlovich, who fueled up on almonds and bananas during the paddle.

His crew of supporters on land followed him from the start, but then lost him near the Blowhole because Kozlovich went farther out to avoid the waves generated by a high south swell.

He returned to Ala Moana at 6:42 p.m., 30 minutes before sunset and ahead of his crew. Exhausted, Kozlovich didn't celebrate with friends until a few days later. He said he'd do it again, was proud to team up with ALA and was amazed at the beautiful and dramatic views of the island.

"One of the big reasons that I did this was to have that experience," Kozlovich said.

Visit Kozlovich's blog at http://kozhawaii.blogspot.com