The Kaua‘i Marathon is looking ahead to its fourth event on Sept. 2 in Po‘ipu, with organizers trying to increase participation in the marathon by 10 percent over 2011.
Over the past three years, the Kaua‘i Marathon offered impressive statistics for Kaua‘i in numbers of tourists and total visitor spending, states a news release from The Kaua‘i Marathon.
The number of participants increased from 1,520 in 2010 to 1,723 in 2011. Women dominated the field at 58 percent of the runners.
Additionally, 649 kama‘aina participated, the largest population of that field coming from Kaua‘i at 335 runners. The total number of Kaua‘i participants climbed to 480 of the 771 kama‘aina runners in 2011.
Japan and Canada represented the top two countries sending participants to the 2011 Kaua‘i Marathon, joining runners from 45 states in the United States during the 2010 event.
In 2011, those numbers increased to 47 states participating and 13 countries participating, with the largest growth in the Japanese market.
To date, current statistics for the 2012 event show an increased competitor count from the Mainland, and Kaua‘i Marathon organizers are hoping several non-profit fundraising groups will bring in additional runners.
The non-profit groups have raised more than $900,000 for their respective causes at the Kaua‘i Marathon.
On Kaua‘i, the economic impact of The Kaua‘i Marathon was measured in part by 5,653 room nights booked during the event, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and the Sheraton Kaua‘i in Po‘ipu receiving the largest number of bookings.
The average length of stay was between three to five nights.
Statistics from the county’s Office of Economic Development show more than $7.7 million in economic impact over the past three years.
Approximately $980,330 was spent on room revenue, and the average spending per day on other items such as car rental, food and beverages and activities amounted to $105 per day.
The Office of Economic Development estimates total visitor spending — direct, indirect and induced — was approximately $2.58 million.
Marathon organizers also contributed to local non-profits to the tune of almost $35,000 being donated to island non-profit organizations such as the Kapa‘a High School Project Grad, the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank and Aloha Ike, hosted by the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board.
Jeff Sacchini, the race founder, plans to continue giving to the community for the 2012 race.
Kaua‘i also benefits from print advertising and marketing in prestigious running publications such as Runner’s World, Running Times, Distance Running, Competitor and Marathon & Beyond.
Marathon organizers also keep local and national media abreast of news throughout the year with press releases, as well as an accessible press page on the event website.
Sponsors over the past three years include the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, the County of Kaua‘i, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, Fresh Point, Kaua‘i Coffee, Kalapaki Joe’s, Kaua‘i Heritage Properties, Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association and Holo Holo Boat Tours.
Rates for those wanting to participate include $225 for the full marathon, kama‘aina rates being $135.
The half marathon rates are $125 with kama‘aina registering for $105.
The 4th annual Kauai Marathon is scheduled Sept. 2 and offers full and half marathon distances certified by USATF and AIMS.
Visit www.thekauaimarathon.com to register, or for more information.
