This was a good choice for Hawaiian marathon. It was winter, and maybe a bit cooler in Hawaii this time of year. Of course, it was an inaugural marathon, so there were no reviews to read ahead of time. Still, it was well organized, yet the race director was faced with a tough decision right at the start.

The race started - with a Hawaiian prayer - in a park or open space in Wailea, in the southwest part of Maui. The plan was to run up Kihei Road, and then join to the highway going to Lahaina. In the early morning, a power pole was knocked down about mile marker 6, on Kihei Road, and the marathoners were not going to be allowed through that area. The course would have to be altered. At the starting line area, the race director suggested Piilani Highway - where there would be no water stations for 8 to 10 miles - or a 1-mile detour that would route the runners around the downed power pole. The runners were more enthusiastic about the second option, so that it what was coordinated with the police.

Still, the marathon got underway on time - under a star-lit sky. Somewhere around mile marker 5, the course deviated to the east, and joined Piilani Highway for a mile or two, then turned back to join the original course. Shortly after this, the course joined the Lahaina Highway - near the Pacific Whale Foundation. Shortly after passing the Whale Foundation, there were a series of hills we had to conquer, before the road flattened out for the last several miles of the course. While battling the hills, many runners were rewarded with whale sightings in the ocean below. Personally, I saw 2 whales side by side, both blowing a spout of water into the air. The sighting was a reward for coming to run in Hawaii. The last several miles were flat, with the sun at our backs. Still, by late morning, the air had heated enough to cause some discomfort for the runners, combined with the high humidity. Yet there were an abundance of aid stations along the way to provide water and sports drink to the runners. Some stations had other carb snacks to offer too, including Gel Blasts. The park in Lahaina was a welcome sight as we crossed the finish line.

About this race: It was well worth the effort to get to Hawaii to run in this race. The sights and sounds of Hawaii are beautiful to the eyes and ears. The race director handled the downed power pole issue well (at least the race was not called off!). Refreshments were properly spaced out and were adequate; food and drinks at the finish line were ok (but not great). There were inadequate personnel for crossing intersections, and we ran against traffic the whole way, without cones, etc., to get motorists to slow down some. The road was very narrow going through the tunnel on the Lahaina Highway, and that was a bit scary. Finally, Flying Pig Marathon in 2008 required a detour, and the race director published a correction factor on the website so runners could adjust their time. I thought this race director should have done the same thing. Still, it was a great race, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to run a marathon in Hawaii. And next year is bound to be better.

I came for the vacation. I just love Maui, and in the winter it is so green. But mostly it is wonderful due to the whales being in town, so to speak.

I liked the undated medal. It was a great medal... cutouts and everything (well, everything except for a date). It was also a two-sided medal! Very sweet. The lanyard clip with the year was a nice touch. Give a great medal and let people add the years onto the lanyard. Well I liked it at least.

The shirt was not much (a nice fish). I assume that each year that we will get a different fish. I may be assuming too much about the medal and the shirt, but it made sense in my mind.

The course is not much different from the September race in visuals. You run along the beach in the dark... but it was full of spectators. The September race is run through the sugar cane... but it is dark, so the ugly cane fields are invisible. So for us slower runners, it is almost the same course... except for spectators being better in the winter, and WHALES!!!! No whales in September, as they are back home in Alaska. In January they are jumping and frolicking all up and down the coast. Very nice.

I think everybody else has mentioned the many rest stops, and the unfortunate pre-race tragedy that closed the course. They have also voiced any complaints/concerns over the medical tents and ice. Whatever... good points, I guess.

The massages were wonderful, with more tables than I have seen even at big races. Everybody could get a massage. It was really a nice touch.

The native worship was a nice touch too. It made it a very "island" run.

Great event. Magnificent time of the year. Instant results for results freaks, accurate miles, and a very clean race. I'd recommend this to my friends.

Sometimes, it's nice just to relax and enjoy the scenery. It's harder to do that when it's hot and hilly, but there were lots of aid stations. Humpback whales where an amazing distraction. Thank you.

Pros:
1) Gorgeous course.
2) Good email updating.
3) Good traffic support, considering that there is no way to really close a major highway.
4) 17 water stations with water and a diverse choice of food.
5) Lovely people at stations, as well as at the finish.
6) Not the toughest course I've done, but surely not the easiest.
7) Considering the late-night auto accident that caused the downed power line, the extra mile was just something to add to the story. (A pretty good excuse for failing to PR, LOL.)

Cons:
1) Due to the small size of the race, medical support tends to be limited. (This was my 50th marathon. I've never experienced a small race with extensive medical support.)
2) It's Hawaii; it will get warm.
3) It's Hawaii; it will be hilly. (This is coming from a flat-lander!! LOL!)

What a wonderful vacation with the family in Maui. I may have been disappointed if I had traveled just for this event, though I understand the challenges of a first-time event and a downed power line. The pros for me were the RD communications prior to the event, ceremony at the start, early start to keep things cool (beautiful to run under the stars), wonderful job by the kids/volunteers at the aid stations, police presence/traffic control, nice medal, and the fantastic post=race massage!

I was hoping for a better shirt - at least one specifically for the marathoners (if not a tech or long-sleeve). I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a goody bag at the number pick-up. Oncoming traffic was a bit scary for most of the race being on the highway shoulder. I did see a lot of "hang loose" waves and friendly honks. Besides the aid stations and friends and family, the oncoming traffic tends to be the best (but dangerous) fan support. Wished for aid to be more frequent last 6 miles. With heat/sun, I felt effects of mild dehydration and spoke to others who did as well (I carried a 16-ounce bottle). I would have liked to be handed or directed straight to liquids at the finish. Besides the amazing, free, well-staffed and organized post-race massage, the finish seemed to lack the essentials (food/music, announcements, etc.).

This race included some of the most beautiful scenery (ocean and mountains) I've ever seen. This was my first race along an open road, and I did not mind the traffic or feel unsafe. Spectators were few and far between, but so were the runners! Volunteers were great and offered sugary and salty snacks along with the water, although sports drink was not always available. Finish area was nice (right next to the beach), and there were plentiful post-race refreshments (water, fruit, bagels, PowerBar products). I took the shuttle to the start from Whalers Village and the Maui bus back after the race for $1 - no problem! Hawaiian blessing and tiki torches at the chilly start line provided some nice Hawaii atmosphere in the dark at 5:30 a.m.! I'd like to come back to this race again someday.

I'm from the D.C. area and first I was simply glad to be there because it's a beautiful route, with wonderful fans all along the way, plenty of refreshments, great shuttle service and/or parking if needed, and good hours/locations for packet pickup. The website was very accurate, friendly, and available; and e-mail updates were timely, clear, and helpful. My only complaint was that the route had a lot of miles that were on a right incline so my right foot started to wear out faster. I didn't see any ambulances or medical support, although the police were all over and very very helpful in looking out for us. Post-race was also good, with an excellent variety of recovery food and drink. And having a live Hawaiian singer, right by a beach, post-race was also PERFECT. I personally was in bliss. I also liked it that our names were on our bibs because everyone was addressing me by name.

The problem with downed power line was something that we just had to deal with and the race director did a perfect job working with the police to figure out where to send us. ;-) For their inaugural marathon, I was very pleased.

A beautiful course, a beautiful day, whales within view of the course, enthusiastic volunteers (who waited for stragglers such as me) and a very resourceful race director.

Two hours before the start of the race, a driver knocked a power pole across the course. Ordinarily the race is canceled. Right?

Not when Les Wright is the race director. With the cooperation of the Maui police, Les immediately rerouted the course to avoid the electrifying obstacle, and the race started on time! The detour added a mile to the course, but there was no extra charge for the ultra.

I plan to come back if Les promises no obstacles in 2010.

I enjoyed the race experience and appreciate the effort invested to make it go. The overall feel of the event was mellow.

Plentiful aid stations and police assistance along the way. It was a nice cultural experience to start the race with a Hawaiian blessing/prayer.

I was happy to be part of it and will run it again.

I can understand that accidents happen, and while a downed power line is not the race director's fault, running an extra mile after 26 miles sucks! To top it off, there were NO amenities at the finish line. After running 27 miles, I was hoping to see something besides Dixie cups with warm water in them. How about some ice? Or some medical personnel? A woman collapsed at the end and there was no medical assistance there to help her. I asked for some ice and was told, "Sorry, we don't have anything like that." If you aren't going to put port-a-potties on the course, or have some refreshments and ice at the end, don't make your entry fee as much as a well organized race does. Since there was nothing to the finish area, they might as well move the finish line up a mile so people who were trying to qualify for Boston actually got a shot.