An absolutely beautiful course with great support and organization. You can't beat the scenery this course offers, and the people are fantastic with their support and aid stations.

The course is amazing! I saw whales while running the course. Some of us even saw (not sure exactly) a sea lion or a monk seal. Don't know the difference but I didn't care really it was still amazing! Run this race.

The marathon as a whole was a perfct 'destination marathon' and we are really happy to fly all the way to experience it.

Course is scenic to the max and in not many places you can really spot whales on your way. Well marked with both miles left and done clearly visible all the way. Surely not a course for your PB and to push hard also might be tough due to small hills and heat at later part of the race, added with head wind this year. I went on enjoyable cruising mode so this might affect a bit to my judgement. Start with local rituals, torches and stuff was nice too. (to need head lamps on the run I never quite understood. This after several runs in Asia starting at 3-4 am with real darkness and _bad_ roads in comparision. Anyway, I saw all my steps perfectly well from the beginning)

This is a run not to be seen but to see yourself. Consequently you do not need spectators. Four stars from the whales and volunteers.

Organisation was impeccable starting from the race director's reports long before the race, registration at Pioneer Inn, pre-race bus transportation (good idea to have the schedules printed on your BIB) up to aid stations with more supply you ever need on the way. FinNish (quess where I come from..) line/area was well done in a park with lot of space to lie on grass and refreshments and first aid next to you. Results were put quickly on the wall in prints and beach was a couple of steps from you.

If I have to squeeze something to add or change it would be to include something salty given at finish line in addition to tons of sweet goodies.

We will most propably come again. Take kids with us and let then run some shorter distance. We stayed at Outrigger Aina Nalu, walking distance from everything. A nice oasis with pools and relaxed feel, as is the case in Lahaina and the Maui Oceanfront Marathon, too. Keep up the good work!

The best part of the course is run before the sun comes up as the road quickly becomes Hell's Kitchen. It's only scenic to those from the mainland. Over-rated. Aid stations undermanned. Had to get my own drink several times. Awards ceremony was amateurish. I was 1/10 in my age group but the announcer said I won first because I was the only entrant. Excuse me....There were 10. It was embarrassing. Anyway, I will not run it again. 1/2 of the course is the same as the Maui Marathon so why bother and the organization is weak.

Pretty scary starting out in the dark with a headlight. Got scarier as we had to run along the shoulder of a busy, curvy, hilly 2-lane highway. Several ambulances passed, causing drivers to edge runners out of road shoulder. Big disappointment that I have no finishers picture, even though I finished well ahead of the deadline.

3rd year in a row that I have run this marathon and I plan to be back next year. It is not a marathon that you can expect a fast time I suggest running it early on your vacation so you can enjoy the sun later on. Great aid stations.

This was my 21st marathon and my 13th state.

COURSE -

The marathon runs from Wailea to Lahaina. For the majority of the race, the scenery is amazing. Truly amazing. Unfortunately, the sunrise was to my back, but the best part of the course is mid-miles where there is elevation gain.

For the first hour of my race, it was pretty much dark due to the 5:45am start. However, reality is that you can't start this race early enough. It was in the 70s with a nice breeze at the start, which quickly escalated toward the 80's in the back half. If you run 4-5 hours, get ready to really roast.

Now the downside: I didn't expect to struggle with runner traffic in this race (I finished 16th overall), but it was quite congested out there on the final 10k. This is because the shorter distances start in front of the marathoners on the course to end at the same finish point. I was competing for limited space on the bike path on state route 30 with the many joggers/walkers in front of me that were participating in the 5k/10k/15k and 1/2 marathon distances. Normally, not a big deal, but when trying to pass in this narrow space, while contending with oncoming cars who are not necessarily sensitive to the marathon made it somewhat undesirable. I accidentally clipped two walkers who were unaware I was behind them as they strolled along side with fellow walkers.

Throw in the grogginess of the heat setting in later in the race, and it became a bit cumbersome to worry about runners/traffic and finish the race strong.

However, I'm not sure how this could be improved. It's not practical to shut down this road on the island. Bottom line is that it's the nature of putting on a race in Maui. Maybe you can somehow time the difference distances to start differently, or route then differently?

Nevertheless, I finished the race and jumped into the Pacific right after. NICE.

Some complained about hills, but I don't think the course is that hilly. No real big ones up or down, with exception to the start which is actually pretty fast downhill. It's really the heat and humidity that are the killers.

We stayed at Lahaina Shores, which is 0.2 miles from the finish line. SO HAPPY we stayed so close. Nice hotel - good pricing - but very quiet. Thankfully, there is Spanky's and Betty's next door to go drink. :)

ORGANIZATION

I didn't meet the race director, but he seemed extremely focused on putting on a superb event. For the most part, he succeeded. His e-mail communication was humorous and constant for several weeks up to the event, and it really helped set expectations for this laid-back tourist race.

No expo - no problem for me. The number pick-up was easy at the Pioneer Inn. It is definitely low-frills however. With fees of $120+ depending on when you register, I would expect at least a little baggie to hold my number, shirt and safety pins. Nada. Nothing. Maybe a sponsor could help provide a LITTLE bit of flair at pick-up, please?

The shirt is kind of cruddy. Sizing is all messed up. In fact, in retrospect, I think I got a women's handed to me. Not sure, but I don't get many v-neck men's (I rarely fit into an XL Men's). Need to improve this.

I did appreciate the announcement of my name and a little 'factoid' about me that I shared on my entry. This was a nice touch.

SPECTATORS

You don't come to this race to be cheered. You're running on a busy road with cars nearly the whole race. Only spectators are family members of the participants. It's a race of runners who came to enjoy the island after the race.

IN SUMMARY... I'm happy that I did it, but it's likely my last race in Hawaii. Come to this race if you want to train through the winter and run in an amazing destination and enjoy a holiday afterward. I felt NO PAIN after this race when I was sipping beers at a beachside bar watching the AFC Championship.

Do NOT come to this race to run your P.R. (you won't - or if you do, you're not racing enough) or if you need big-city hype or a lot of people around you. Great place to check Hawaii off your 50 states list. But it is small, so if you want a big race in Hawaii, check out Honolulu.

This race is a small but wonderful experience. Terrific Aid Stations with plenty of liquids/food/snacks/cliff bars. I coulda ditched my fanny pack there was so much available nutrition. Great enthusiastic volunteers. As the Aid Station Director for the Ironman World Championship I was truly impressed by the entire support team. A challenging course but oh so amazing to run over the Pali and thru a tunnel.

The island of Maui is beautiful which is why we entered the race. We were not disappointed with the scenery. The course was tough and hilly.
From the start when we picked up our packet, I was let down. The packets were handed out in an apartment, with a one way staircase that everyone tripped over each other getting in and out. It was disorganized and when I asked where it started they referred me to the map. Nobody would just explain it to me which seemed like maybe they did not know. Not being from the island, I wanted the chance to drive the course before hand. There was no expo or goody bag, which this is not why I run but the entry fee was higher than most. The shirt was cool.
I changed my run to the early start because I was worried about the weather, since I trained in the winter months of Illinois. Bad idea!!! I took the bus provided because my husband was running the half and he dropped me off in Lahaina where he started. The bus left over thirty minutes late and when we finally got to the starting line, the race director stated, OK everyone get out and start running. If you need the restrooms, theyre over there. The bus full of people was all complaining all the way to the starting line. There was no official start. It was still very dark outside and there were no markings on where the course was. The course turned into the main two way highway on the island. Since it was dark, I think cones or markers of some kind would have been helpful, once I passed the guy in front of me, I was on my own on this dark two way highway. At one point a truck was passing a car and I literally felt the heat of the engine on my backside. The first water station was not until mile six and there were very few aide stations, none of which would give out aspirin or Tylenol.
I am not sure how this race could be a Boston qualifier. I have no idea on my official time, only what my watch told me.
Needless to say I would not run this disorganized race again.

The race was very well organized and the RD (Les) did a great job. The volunteers were super along the course. It is Maui, so the temp. does increase as the morning progresses, but it sure beats running in snow and cold. And in how many places can you whale-watch while running a marathon?

I would recommend this race as an absolute MUST DO! I will be back.
Ps. The RD treated the 50-state finishers very well. A great choice to finish.