The Kauai Marathon/Half-Marathon is the best organized, most scenic event we have encountered. We first entered the half-distance two years ago. As with that delightful experience, this year's event was the absolute highlight of a three-week vacation on Kauai. Every aspect of the race, from picking up our race numbers on Friday, to the way the organizers anticipated needs at the start, to the course itself, to the organization evident at the finish, was a '10.' This is a great race for folks who, like us, run for their 'amazement' (not to be confused with amusement). We will be back in two years!

Don and Janice Larsen

Due to a broken foot prior to the race, I was unable to participate this year. Being a spectator was amazing and emotional. This is one of the best, well organized and our families favorite, half marathon. Can't wait to get back here in 2014 and do it again. Only this time I will be participating and beating my PR from 2010!

Toughest road course I've ever run. Warm, humid and hilly, especially after the 10 mile point. Extremely well organized with aid stations no more than a mile or two apart. Lots of spectators cheering you and giving encouragement even in the rural areas of the course. Great finish line party with awards presented in a very timely manner.

This is THE best organized race I have ever been to- period. Add to that you are on Kauai- what more can you ask for? Tough race- esp. the marathon with lots of hills in the last 15 miles. 1/2 not so hilly but be prepared for humidity. I ran the 1/2. 6am start was a blessing as it did not heat up till around 8am. Aid stations strategically located, tons of support- aloha spirit- hula dancers, drummers. This is a must do race, 1/2 or, if you're up to it, the full.

Loved everything about this marathon. The most beautiful course I have ever run. Very challenging but the scenery makes it worth it. The marathon was very organized and can't think of a single complaint. I wish I could afford to visit Kauai every year for this race!

This event is moved from great to glorious in my book by the people lining the course. I have never seen such a huge number of volunteers AND just individuals outside their own houses on a marathon like this before - and never felt quite such warmth and encouragement. Loved the sheer devilry of making the course such a long grind of a hill! A complete physical and mental challenge and for me this was a emotional day too. Much less significant than many great tales on the day but important for me as it was my first race after five months off with two torn lumbar discs. I am so grateful I was able to have this experience. The skilled massage afterwards was beyond amazing too. And what could be better than a few days playing in the Poipu waves to eliminate aching of any kind. Mahalo everyone, especially the chickens who made me giggle on the way :0)

This is simply a fantastic event. I was fortunate to be able to attend all of the events from the expo to the post-race festivities. I'm absolutely amazed at the 'aloha spirit' this race and all of the volunteers have. The course was well marked and plenty of volunteers. What impressed me the most, was the number of aid stations and the number of volunteers at those aid stations. It seemed that every mile - at the longest every two miles - there was an aid station with water and ultima. Each aid station had half a dozen or more volunteers with cups. Some of the cups actually had an ice cube or two which was very helpful. It is a hot, humid, and very hilly course, but if you train specifically for it you can still run very well. I'd highly recommend doing this race and plan to be at the starting line again next year. Great job Kauai marathon staff and volunteers!

This was my 70th marathon and my 50th state so the entire family and I made a big vacation of it. The RD was very cool and I asked for bib number 50 and they gave it to me. They also answered any questions we had about other fun activities to do while on the island. It was a 6am start and that helped out because it got HOT. Once the sun comes out it can get pretty uncomfortable but they had plenty of aid/water stops. The hills are tough, very tough and there are lots of them on the 2nd half. It would be a tough course to try and do a PR type race but it is a beautiful course. It also isn't a good course for family to watch along the course so just have them at the finishing area. There are locals that come out and cheer you on and there are some points there is just you and the road. It is also a small field of runners doing the full marathon, the half is pretty popular and over 3/4 of the runners out there on Sun just did the half. Make sure to start out slow because the hills will grind you down in the 2nd half. The AG awards are very nice (I didn't win one but I saw them). It was a great race to finish off my 50 state goal.

So I had planned our honeymoon to Kauai before learning that there was a Marathon and Half Marathon the weekend after my wedding, and that seemed like a great idea since my now wife and I met training for a Marathon. We decided luckily to run the Half, as neither of us have been training as much as needed for a full. The half course only has one really solid hill, and we were pretty much prepared for it, although we drove the marathon course and it looked really tough. This was by far the most beautiful run we have done, it was well organized, and the after parties were a good time. Pictures or descriptions won't do it justice, but the entire island is spectacular. The final leg of both the Half and Full run along the ocean and the view of the waves crumbling over the rocks is awesome. A great destination race, everyone on the island was friendly and talkative about the race. As tough as the marathon seemed, I want to go back next year and run it.

IF ever there is a race that epitomizes the phrase 'it's all about the journey,' this IS the race. Did it last year and Jeff / Bob and team made my 50th state run a most memorable one; and so I return, and do so for the people, the stories, the inspiration (you do a fun run with Dean K, JT Service and Jeff!!!) and as my idol and friend Bart Yasso expressed so well this year, we do it for the Community - of runners, staff, locals!
Focus on the distance for a minute-not of the course, but from Orlando to Kauai..it was an 8pm departure from there last night and a 4pm arrival in Orlando today (you do the math) yet I am already planning on returning next year, because Jeff, Bob, Kathleen, Betty and staff understand that for most of us it IS a long haul and they want to do everything to make it worthwhile.
For specifics: The organization is superbly streamlined at every step of the way (Bob knows his business and Jeff has a small army of Friends who fly in from Modesto to do help service the event all the way through;)
The Course is a monster, but aid stations are where they need to be, staff is always close by on Vespas (stashing water if needed on the hot humid day it was yesterday) and the locals warm your heart with their chants and cheers and dances.
Every station is the Expo is worth a visit and I am a new believer in the Sore / Strain Spray and will buy gallons of it.
The Expert Panel of Bart, Dean, Rich, JT is emceed by Jeff and provides great inspiration, helpful hints and allows plenty of time for participants to ask and tell their own stories.
and then, even when as I truly collapsed at thee Finish Line party...the Volunteers, Liz and the EDTs were as attentive and helpful and caring as good be.
IF you are looking for a race about relationships, people, the beauty of the course and destination - while many are just watching pre-season football..and IF you want a Marathon Memory that will last forever, join me next year for Kauai # 3.