PO‘IPU — The $15,000 Kaua‘i Challenge was left untouched by 53 seconds. Michael Wardian of Arlington, Va., tried, but when the clock stopped, Wardian’s time for the full marathon was 2:30:52.2 for a 5:45 mile pace during the course of
PO‘IPU — The $15,000 Kaua‘i Challenge was left untouched by 53 seconds.
Michael Wardian of Arlington, Va., tried, but when the clock stopped, Wardian’s time for the full marathon was 2:30:52.2 for a 5:45 mile pace during the course of the second annual Kaua‘i Marathon, Sunday in Po‘ipu.
But it wasn’t all Wardian’s race as two world class Kenyan runners, Richard Kandie and Moninda Marube broke out early and established a lead over Wardian heading to the Maluhia Road hills.
The Kenyan runners from the Duma Runner’s Club in Minnesota had increased the lead at the bottom of the ‘Oma‘o Road phase and continued to blister the course, officials estimating the pair to finish the course in about 2:24:00, well under the sub-2:30:00 for the purse. At that point, Wardian was estimated to be about a minute back.
But disaster struck near the Lawai Cannery when one of the runners became injured resulting in the pair withdrawing from the run, pushing Wardian into first place.
Wardian, freezing from the agony of the push for the purse, told Robin Jumper, the public information officer for the Kaua‘i Marathon, that the course was one of the most difficult road marathons due to the climbs, heat and humidity, but is committed to returning in 2011 to break the 2:30:00-mark.
JT Service, the winner of the inaugural Kaua‘i Marathon last year, finished second at 2:41:24.2, or a 6:10-mile.
He was chased by Masanori Hagitani, winner of the inaugural Iwaki City Sunshine Marathon in Japan whom Service raced against in February. Hagitani, soft-spoken and quiet, let his feet do the talking, stopping the clock at 2:50:10.2, or a 6:30-mile.
Becki Lynn Lassley of Littleton, Colorado (3:23:46.7) was the first female to finish the full marathon, crossing 19th overall at a 7:47-mile.
First Hawai‘i finisher was Jason Florimonte (2:59:13.7) of Kaneohe, O‘ahu, crossing fifth overall. Andrew Stenovich of Kapa‘a, crossing 26th overall, was the first Kaua‘i finisher at 3:34:02.3, or an 8.10-mile. Brooke Sugahara, finishing 69th overall, of Kapa‘a was the first Kaua‘i female with a 4:00:33.0 run, or a 9:10-mile.
Rich Hanna of Sacramento, Calif. held the pace with Service heading into the Maluhia Road phase and coming out of the Oma‘o Road hill.
But when Service split for the Kalaheo phase, Hanna headed home for the first overall finish in the marathon and the half marathon course, stopping the clock at 1:15:05.1, or a 5:44-mile.
Leo McCarthy, noting that the Kaua‘i Marathon was his favorite race, Friday at the Health and Fitness Expo, was the first Kaua‘i runner at ninth overall. He stopped the clock at 1:27:41.0 for a 6:41-mile. He was challenged by Jordan Kahawai, 10th overall, whose parents were at strategic cheering points, crossing at 1:28:06.9, or a 6:44-mile, first in the 16-19 age group.
Varinka Barbini of Lexington, Kentucky was the first female, crossing fifth overall on a 1:25:44.8, or 6:33-mile. Mary Castelanelli of Hanalei, crossing 31st overall, was the first Kaua‘i female, crossing at 1:37:01.2, or a 7:24-mile.
More than 1,500 runners were greeted by cool pre-dawn conditions at the mouth of the Po‘ipu Shopping Center where hosts Dickie Chang and Ron Wiley greeted the runners from 45 states and 10 countries.
More than $10,000 was donated by the Kaua‘i Marathon organizers to local non-profit groups for volunteering on race day. These included the Niumalu Canoe Club, Kalaheo Elementary School, Kapa‘a High School Project Grad and the Kaua‘i Chapter of the American Red Cross.
The Kaua‘i Marathon is sponsored by the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, the County of Kaua‘i, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, Fresh Point, Comcast and Tudal Wine Group.
Jeff Sacchini, the Kaua‘i Marathon founder, had a vision of bringing a world-class marathon to Kaua‘i, believing that with great leadership and Kaua‘i’s generous support, the island’s Aloha Spirit would be shared with visitors around the world while enhancing the local economy. He recruited Kalaheo resident Bob Craver as race director.
Visit www.thekauaimarathon.com to register for the 2011 Kaua‘i Marathon scheduled for Sept. 4, 2011.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
