PO‘IPU — The Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon is back on Sept. 3, and deadline for online registration at www.thekauaimarathon.com is 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 30.
“This 14th Kaua‘i Marathon world-class event provides the perfect three-day adventure for residents and visitors to experience Kaua‘i’s aloha spirit,” said Jeff Sacchini, the Kaua‘i Marathon founder.
“Between the hundreds of volunteers who assist with race day duties to the Hawaiian blessing, Polynesian entertainment and cultural experiences along the course, The Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon is a destination race to remember.”
The experience starts with the Wilcox Health Sports and Fitness Expo at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa in Po‘ipu, where marathon participants pick up their race packets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ahead of the Sunday run.
A sponsor reception rounds out Friday. The expo continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a Keiki Run starting at 9 a.m., and Family Fun Run chasing a very fast 6-foot chicken. The main races start Sunday morning at 6 a.m. at the front of Po‘ipu Shopping Village.
Traffic advisories, including various road closures, can be found in detail on the Kaua‘i Marathon website at www.kauaimarathon.com.
“We have some distinguished participants for this year’s marathon,” said Robin Jumper, the Kaua‘i event coordinator for The Kaua‘i Marathon. “Michael Wardian, a past champion and ultra runner from Delaware, will be doing the full marathon, and Tyler McCandless, a past champion and the spokesperson for the Kaua‘i Marathon Youth Running Program, will be doing the half marathon.”
Additionally, as COVID-19 conditions improve, at least two runners from Japan will be among this year’s Kaua‘i Marathon field.
Shinya Ohashi, who finished first in the 2018 version of the Kaua‘i Marathon with a run that stopped the clocks at 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds, is from Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He was the male winner of the Iwaki Sunshine Marathon 2023, which attracted runners from Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Thailand, Portugal and Vietnam in February.
Ohashi will be joined by Mirai Honma of Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, who was the female winner at the Iwaki Sunshine Marathon.
Since the inaugural Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon, the island has hosted 10,232 participants from the mainland, 1,342 international runners, 3,590 participants from the neighbor islands and 8,077 from Kaua‘i.
According to the County of Kaua‘i, the direct economic impact over 14 years has equated to nearly $40 million. The Kaua‘i Marathon has donated more than $160,000 to local charities and nonprofit entities.
Some of the sponsors of the Kaua‘i Marathon include Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa, Wilcox Health, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Kaua‘i Coffee, Koloa Landing Resort, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, Nukumoi Surf Co., Puka Dog, Holo Holo Boat Charters and Elite Vacations.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
