PO‘IPU — The 2022 Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon is back in person this year.
With online registration ending Aug. 31 at 12:59 p.m., Robin Jumper, the Kaua‘i Marathon coordinator, expects a “historic” crowd with more than 2,200 runners registered for the event that starts at 6 a.m., Sunday at the entrance to the Po‘ipu Shopping Village.
But the Kaua‘i Marathon is not just the big race, but the several events surrounding the starting gun leading up to the 13th Annual Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon. These events are open to the community, including the Wilcox Health Sports and Fitness Expo that opens from 10 a.m., Friday and shuts at 6 p.m. where marathon runners are able to pick up their race packets, and those needing to register following the online registration can still get a spot.
Marathon logo merchandise and other materials from participating vendors are also available along with health specialists and physical therapists who offer discussions on stretching, diet, and more.
The Kaua‘i Marathon Champion Tyler McCandless, setting a course record for TKM and expected to run in Sunday’s race, will be available to “talk story,” Friday at 11 a.m.
The Wilcox Health Sports and Fitness Expo will also be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the 9th Annual Kaua‘i Marathon Keiki Run takes place on the far west side of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa starting at 9 a.m. Registration for keiki is available from 8 a.m. on Race Day, Saturday.
The 11th Annual Fun Run opens Saturday from 7:30 a.m. at the end of Po‘ipu Road and covers three miles, led by TKM Champion McCandless. This is a free event and open to the public.
Additionally there is a Shaka Sushi Friday hosted by Brennecke’s Beach Broiler that is available by calling 808-742-7588 for reservations, or online through Open Table at www.brenneckes.com.
Leading up to the marathon start, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler offers a Prix Fixe Marathon Menu featuring family styule organic green salad, pasta carbonara, and finishing with lava cake, or Bob’ mocha ice cream pie. Reservations can be made by calling 808-742-7588, or online through Open Table at www.brenneckes.com.
Special traffic and Kaua‘i Bus advisories take effect when the gun sounds on the race where the runners run together for the first 11 miles before the Half Marathoners turn back to Po‘ipu for an oceanfront finish, and the full marathoners turn up Koloa Road to a course that brings them through the neighborhoods of Lawai and Kalaheo before returning back to Po‘ipu.
People are advised of modifications to The Kaua‘i Bus schedule to accomodate the Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon. This includes Route 30 leaving the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center bus stop to Koloa and Po‘ipu at 6:05, 7:05, 8:05, and 9:05 a.m. being canceled. The Koloa Shuttle at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center bus stop will resume regular service starting at 10:05 a.m.
Routes 200 from Lihu‘e to Kekaha, and Routes 100 from Kekaha to Lihu‘e should expect delays during the morning hours will the marathon is being run.
For residents and visitors wishing to access Lihu‘e from the south shore, or the Westside, please plan at least 1.5 to 2 hours travel time, states a traffic adivsory from The Kaua‘i Marathon.
“The race starts at 6 a.m., and while traffic will flow in and around the Koloa, Po‘ipu, Lawai, and Kalaheo areas, there will be some lane and road closures between 5 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.,” The Kaua‘i Marathon said.
w Access into Koloa and Poipu will be limited to Koloa Road until 6:30 a.m. From 6:30 to 8 a.m., there will be no inbound traffic other than emergency vehicles into Koloa and Po‘ipu.
w Po‘ipu Road will be closed from the Po‘ipu Round About to the Koloa Bypass Road, or Ala Kinoiki, from 5:15 until 6:30 a.m.
w Ho‘onani Road will be closed from 5:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. from Lawai Road to Kapili Road. Traffic to and from the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort will continue to flow via Kapili Road.
w Koloa Road inbound and outbound lanes from Highway 50 will be closed from 6:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
w Lauoho Road, Waha Road, and Pu‘u Roads will be close to through traffic from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and all residents living in this area are advised to use extreme caution.
w Omao Road from Highway 50 to Koloa Road will be closed to through traffic from 6 to 9:30 a.m., and all residents living in this area are advised to use extreme caution.
w The Koloa Bypass, or Ala Kinoiki Road, will be closed from 5:45 to 7:45 a.m.
w Maluhia Road, both inbound and outbound to and from the Koloa Bypass Road through to Highway 50 will be closed to traffic from 6 to approximately 8 a.m.
w Partial closures include Highway 50 from Maluhia Road west to Omao Road will be restricted to alternating one-way traffic in the mauka lane from 6 to approximately 9 a.m.
w Papalina Road from Waha to Pu‘u Road will be restricted to alternating one-way traffic in the mauka lane from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with Kaua‘i Police Department monitoring at both ends.
w The Kukui‘ula Bypass, or Ala Kalanikaumaka Road, will be closed from 6:30 a.m. until around 2 p.m. Outbound traffic from the Po‘ipu Round about to Koloa Road will remain open.
w The Po‘ipu Round About will be heavily impacted and traffic will be slowed considerably from 6:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. as runners enter the roundabout from the Kukui‘ula Bypass road.
w Westbound Lawai Road and Spouting Horn traffic will be re-routed through The Shops at Kukui‘ula.
The Kaua‘i Marathon said traffic will flow in and out of all south shore regions, but it is recommended that travel in these areas on race day, Sunday, be limited from 5 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
For information and race course maps, visit www.kauaimarathon.com.
