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Maui Oceanfront Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Maui Oceanfront Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 65 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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Joe Loschiavo from Hawaii
(1/26/2012)
 "A pure Hawaii marathon" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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. | |
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M. T. from IL
(7/30/2011)
 "Terrible organization" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 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. | |
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D. W. from Saskatchewan, Canada
(2/7/2011)
 "AMAZING AND FANTASTIC!!!!" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
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S. H. from Northfield, Mn.
(1/31/2011)
"Will be back in 2012" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Maui Oceanfront Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have run this race in the past two years. The organization gets better every year. The course is tougher than expected due to the hills in the first half and the heat in the second half. But, what's not to like about running on Maui in January? | |
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M. O. from Denver, Colorado USA
(1/29/2011)
 "Maui Oceanfront Marathon is well worth the trip!" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall, the race was fantastic. Despite running on the shoulder of a fairly busy road for the first 11 miles, then on the shoulder of a highway for the remainder of the race, the scenery more than made up for the traffic. When the sun rises above Haleakala revealing the beauty of Maui, it takes your mind mind off the task at hand. The organization was great and very straightforward. The constant communication from the race director made everything very easy for someone from out of town. The weather couldn't be beat. Coming from training runs in the ice, snow and below-zero temperatures, the Maui weather felt unbelievable. Although it was pretty warm by the end of the race, the aid stations were more than sufficient to supply water, sports drinks, gel shots, etc. If you are looking for a big race, running with a huge throng of people, a big race expo, and lots of SWAG, this isn't the race for you. If you're looking for a low-key, warm-weather, getaway marathon with the Pacific Ocean constantly over your left shoulder, the Maui Oceanfront Marathon is well worth the trip. | |
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R. G. from New Jersey
(1/28/2011)
"Beautiful course, but it's never really flat" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was a magnificent, beautiful course - second to none for sure. However, the entire race is uphill with the exception of about a 1/4 mile downhill into the tunnel. Do not believe any write-ups about it being "flat" - it is far from it. The heat may be a factor for some, but I found the breeze off the water and from the oncoming traffic to be enough to get me through. There are also ample water stations that are well stocked. I do recommend this race for the beauty and experience, but be prepared to run it for fun - not a course for a PR. | |
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D. R. from Amelia, OH
(1/28/2011)
"This is a MUST-DO marathon" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Read the director's notes about the course... it's pretty much as he described. I'd rate the difficulty as moderate. Weather conditions at race time will have more do to with your finish time than the difficulty of the course. Start temp was in the 60's but quickly rose to 80 with little shade. Negatives: race director started the early start this year without waiting for the bus bringing the early starters, which he arranged... not cool. No water for several miles for early starters, so bring your own. Suggestions: stay near the finish line. We stayed at Lahaina Shores, which was not on the accommodations list. It was THE closest to the finish (2 blocks) and had a pool. Car rental is a must. Spectators can drive to see runners all along the course. Lots of places to go and things to see on the island. Really enjoyed the smallness of the race and the finish in Lahaina. Saw many whales during the run. If Hawaii is on your list, this is a must-do. | |
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B. H. from Burlington, NC
(1/26/2011)
"Watch out for the thorns." (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Good organization and beautiful location, but it is a tough course. The first couple of hours are in the dark or in the shade with nice trade winds. About 16 miles in it all changes, as it moves into the sun, and the breeze all but disappears. Please watch out for the thorns along the guard rail. I got some nasty scratches. | |
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Robert (Bob) Speck from California, USA
(3/20/2010)
"Absolutely beautiful. Running in Hawaii. Yes!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 What a great place to run a marathon - and you're on vacation! I left the 40-50 temps in California, stepped off the plane and immediately felt the soothing 81-degree temp. Paradise! My muscles are going to enjoy this. Went straight to the expo to pick up my bib. The expo was small but well organized. I believe this was the 2nd Maui Oceanfront Marathon, so there were not very many sponsors or freebies. I'm sure being far away from the mainland makes it tough for sponsors to ship their goods over. The T-shirt is one of my favorites. It has a picture of an Hawaiian with a throw net over his shoulder with 2 fish, looking out over the ocean. Ok, the marathon started very early, as do most. But in this case it is probably to beat the heat. The ceremonial start was awesome - maybe a dozen Hawaiians in traditional dress, praying to the gods for our safety and well being, blowing their counch shells. I run with a Camelbak in all of my marathons so that I can drink at will, so the aid stations were not a factor to me. There was a lot of enthusiasm from the people at these stations though. The last half of the marathon was warm. I wish I had acclimated. The finisher medals are ok. The typical 5-year age group winner medals were not offered. There was a 40-60 age group award given. But hey, I'm there for the love of running and being with healthy people who share this passion. I stayed on Maui through the following week, attended a medical conference and enjoyed watching the whales. I will always winter in Hawaii. Boston 2010 is next. Les, thanks for organizing and giving us such a great place to run. Bob | |
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heidi harrison from california
(3/8/2010)
 "Great half marathon" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I saw this race in Runners World Magazine and decided to do it because I love Maui as a vacation destination. The morning of the half the race started on time in cool darkness. Although you run on the shoulder of the road, running with traffic, you have the beauty of the island and the ocean on your right. Although I didn't see a whale, it's because i was running a race, not whale-watching, which I had planned for later that day. I always run with a water belt so as to have my own hydration when needed, so I can't comment on the aid stations. At the turnaround point for the half, the sun was up and thankfully at our backs. Whew. I could tell the humidity and intensity of the Maui sun would have made the race a real challenge, but thankfully, with early start time, it wasn't an issue. At the end of the race, the gorgeous medal with the snapper fish around my neck made my day, even when I felt kind of lousy due to the heat. Later on, in the hotel, when the results were already posted, I found out that the top 10 runners over 40 each received a medal. I won a medal and didn't know. It's my fault for not reading the awards section or for sticking around. I emailed Les the race director and he allowed me to meet him and pick it up a few days later. I truly appreciated that as we were leaving Maui shortly. I'd definitely do this race again. Thank you, Les! |
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