Race organizers are tenaciously working on all of the specific details that go into putting together a world-class event such as The Kaua‘i Marathon, a news release says. Participant race bags are ordered, volunteers are secured, website updates sent, as
Race organizers are tenaciously working on all of the specific details that go into putting together a world-class event such as The Kaua‘i Marathon, a news release says. Participant race bags are ordered, volunteers are secured, website updates sent, as well as the final planning for the Expo, Sept. 3-4, at the Kaua‘i Sheraton.
The 2nd Annual Kaua‘i Marathon is scheduled for Sept. 5 in Po‘ipu.
As the registration progresses, the forecast is to have a comparable number of runners in 2010 as in 2009. Last year, The Kaua‘i Marathon provided impressive statistics for the state in both numbers of tourists as well as the total visitor spend, the release states.
For the 2009 Half Marathon, there were 1,194 registered runners of which 65 percent were women and 35 percent were men. The Full Marathon had 487 runners with over half being male. Forty-seven percent were kama‘aina with the largest population coming from Kaua‘i at 400 runners. Seven countries were represented with Japan and Canada as one and two respectively for numbers of participants. Additionally, there were runners from 44 states.
The current statistics for the 2010 event show an increased participant count from the Mainland, and organizers are hoping that several nonprofits such as The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training and other international nonprofits will bring in additional runners. To date, these groups have raised over $400,000 for their worthwhile causes.
The economic impact for The Kaua‘i Marathon in 2009 was promising for the event’s first year, the release says. Kaua‘i’s resorts received 5,600 room nights booked during the event with the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i and the host hotel, The Sheraton Kaua‘i receiving the highest number of bookings. The average length of stay was three to five nights while the average nightly rate was $201.15.
According to the Office of Economic Development, approximately $1.1 million was spent in room revenue and the average spend per day on other items such as car rental, food and beverage and activities was $125 per day. The total visitor spending (direct, indirect and induced) was approximately $2.75 million.
Additionally, $13,500 was donated to local charities including The Kaua‘i Food Bank, Kapa‘a High School and Kaua‘i High School. This year, race organizers are hoping to match that number by supporting over 10 nonprofits that will be assisting with volunteer duties on race day.
The event offers marathon and half marathon distances, which are certified by USATF and AIMS. Visit www.thekauaimarathon.com for more information.
