PO‘IPU — If only for the weekend, visitor arrivals and spending grew significantly as out-of-towners flocked to the island to participate in the Kaua‘i Marathon Sunday on the South Shore.

“We were pleasantly surprised; it was better than expected,” Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho said, regarding the turnout. “The amount of people that flew in for this event was tremendous.”

Though exact figures won’t be known until later this week, Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development Director George Costa said he spoke with runners who traveled to the island from around the globe just for this event.

For the full story, see Monday’s print edition of The Garden Island. Check back at www.thegardenisland.com again Monday evening for a preview of the local stories set to run in Tuesday’s newspaper.