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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 51 to 61]
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L. R. from Los Angeles, CA
(1/26/2010)
 "Wonderful destination marathon!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What's not to like about a run along the Maui coast from Wailea Beach to Lahaina? As expected, the course was lovely, with plenty of whales to spot and ocean vistas. The tech t-shirt had a beautiful graphic by a local artist, and I got many compliments when wearing it the next day around the island. The medal is unexpectedly nice for a small marathon. The aid stations were manned by enthusiastic young volunteers in competition for the best station. But it was certainly not an easy marathon, as the weather got very hot and sunny after the first 90 minutes and there were significant hills. On the "constructive criticism" side: 1) The sport drink was diluted and should have not been of the no-cal variety - we need those glucose molecules! 2) The fruit was gone at the finish by 4:15 after the start, before half of the runners had finished. 3) The older age division awards were inexplicably lumped by 40+, with no way to disentangle the subgroups (some snafu with the timing company that is still to be solved). Still, in all, a great experience, and a nice excuse to plan a Hawaii vacation at a good time of year. Many thanks! | |
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T. W. from Montana
(5/12/2009)
 "Pretty weak." (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I must say that I was disappointed. My husband and I ran the marathon, and our daughter ran the 5K. With the money that we spent on registration fees, we expected a bit more. When we went to pick up our race packet, we followed handwritten cardboard signs to find the room where some poorly informed ladies (although very sweet) were handing out the ugliest race shirt I may have ever received. (Mind you, our family owns 3 of them.) With this race being sponsored by the Lahaina merchants, I was surprised that there was not a race packet. The race start was nice; the extra mile was one of those things. However, I wonder why the finish couldn't have been moved up a mile. My husband would have qualified for Boston. I think the course was misrepresented as to its difficulty, but it was doable. Yes, the awards went deep. I realized that I placed when I was home from vacation. Yet it was never sent. I guess I'm not surprised. More effort could have been made to take care of the runners. As beautiful as the course was, I wouldn't do it again. | |
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D. H. from Portland, OR
(2/10/2009)
 "great inaugural run" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I really enjoyed this run, even the extra mile we had added on. Having run the Lake Tahoe Marathon many times, I knew with Les Wright directing this race that we would be well cared for and that was the case. Plenty of aid stations, accurate miles and a great course. Always a pleasure running in Maui along the ocean, and even more so in January, as opposed to September when it's very hot. I echo comments about having a tech shirt for the marathon only; make it a finisher one. The age-group awards were really nice and given very deep. I look forward to running this again in 2010. It's not a race to set any kind of time goals due to temperature and humidity, but when you finish you are in Hawaii, so that is a small price to pay. | |
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Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado
(2/7/2009)
"A Pleasant Marathon that got Stretched a Little" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
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j. v. from The Great State of Texas
(2/2/2009)
"Winter Maui Marathon!!!!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
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P. Y. from Vancouver, British Columbia
(1/30/2009)
"Beautiful course, and great way to start the year." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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. | |
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J. H. from Chicago,Il
(1/28/2009)
 "For a difficult inaugural event, it went off well." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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!) | |
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B. G. from Bellingham, WA
(1/28/2009)
"Pros & Cons" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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.). | |
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M. T. from Philadelphia
(1/28/2009)
"Beautiful course!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Maui Oceanfront Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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. | |
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D. N. from Washington, D.C.
(1/28/2009)
"Perfect People and Places" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. |
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