Devon Crosby-Helms, 30, of San Francisco will attempt to be the first female runner to capture a portion of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa’s $15,000 speed challenge at The Kaua‘i Marathon, Sept. 2.
Crosby-Helms topped the San Francisco Marathon Sunday on a 2:44:02 run. Her marathon personal best is 2:38:55 but has experienced most of her success at the ultra distances with wins at the JFK50 Mile, the USA 50 Mile Championships and the USA 100k Championships.
She will be one of several runners attempting to share in the speed challenge, a financial incentive for any male runner finishing the full marathon course under 2:33:19, the current course record, and any female runner under 2:45.
Joining Crosby-Helms will be Brett Ely, 34, of Natick, Mass. Ely, having a similar marathon personal best of 2:38:53, was named the 2011 USATF – New England Runner of the Year.
The 2011 Kaua‘i Marathon winner, Tyler McCandless, 26, of Boulder, Colo., will be returning to defend his title while attempting to break his own course record.
Joining him in eyeing the speed challenge is Jeffrey Eggleston, 27, of Flagstaff, Ariz., boasting a personal best of 2:13:12 and who has a number of top finishes including a victory at the Woodlands Marathon earlier this year.
Online registration for The Kaua‘i Marathon is still being accepted until Aug. 29 at 11:59 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
Race packets, bibs and participant bags must be picked up at the Sports and Fitness Expo at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa on Aug. 31 or Sept. 1.
The fourth annual Kaua‘i Marathon is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. Sept. 2 on Po‘ipu Road fronting the Po‘ipu Shopping Village for marathon and half marathon runners.
The first 11 miles are run together before the half marathon runners turn off into the Kukui‘ula Resort to the oceanfront finish while the full marathoners head up Koloa Road to the neighborhoods of Lawa‘i and Kalaheo before heading back to Po‘ipu.
The marathon finisher’s party and awards ceremony will be located on the ocean front lawn at The Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort starting at 8 a.m.
Race participants as well as supporters are able to enjoy food, refreshments and live entertainment until the early afternoon.
Visit thekauaimarathon.com for more information or to register online.
