Due to the success of The Kauai Marathon Youth Running Program and Keiki Run, The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon is proud to partner with Kauai Coffee, Wilcox Health and Rabbit Running apparel on expanded programs for the 2019 event.
The goal of each is to foster a movement to empower Kauai keiki to make healthy lifestyle choices through the sport of running.
The Youth Running Program’s focus is on high school students. Race organizers are planning to visit high school cross country teams throughout the island to discuss healthy habits, the power of running, as well as give away goodies from the marathon and Rabbit Running apparel. They will also share the details of the annual scholarship program so that students will have the opportunity to apply.
Since 2015, the Youth Running Scholarship Program presented by Kauai Coffee has awarded $500 scholarships to one male and one female graduating senior from Kauai. To date, $6,000 has been given to deserving seniors for their performance in the classroom, as well as on the field.
This year, the scholarship application is due on Wednesday, Aug. 28 and the check presentation will be at the awards ceremony at The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon finish line.
The culmination of the youth program is the 7th annual Kauai Marathon Keiki Run presented by Wilcox Health on Saturday, Aug. 31 and takes place on the far Westside of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort &Spa. Registration fees are $15 prior to Aug. 20 and $20 thereafter.
Each participant is guaranteed a medal and T-shirt if they pre-register by Aug. 20. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. on race day and the races start at 9 am. There is a 100-yard toddler trot for 2-4 year olds, a quarter-mile run for 5-7 year olds and a half-mile run for 8-12 year olds. To register for The Kauai Marathon Keiki Run, visit www.thekauaimarathon.com.
“It has been amazing to work with Kauai Coffee, The Kauai Marathon ‘ohana, as well as the mentors and students to make a positive impact on the youth community of Kauai,” said Tyler McCandless, a winner of both the Kauai Marathon and the half marathon. “As a new father, it’s only more impactful to see kids have fun while running and exercising and continuing the healthy activity of running through high school and beyond.”
The 11th annual Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, Sept. 1 beginning at 6 a.m. Both events begin on Poipu Road in front of the Poipu Shopping Village. The first 11 miles are run together before the half marathoners veer off into Kukui’ula Resort to their oceanfront finish while the marathoners continue up Koloa Road to the neighborhoods of Lawai and Kalaheo before heading back down to Poipu.
The marathon finishers’ party and awards ceremony is on the oceanfront lawn at the Koloa Landing Resort.
The online registration deadline is Aug. 28.
