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May 3, 2024

The Kauai Marathon Runner Comments

Back to The Kauai Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.7

Number of comments: 79 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

K. W. from Mesa, Arizona (7/17/2012) "Every marathon runner needs to run this race!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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!
P. M. from born Ireland but live in San Anselmo, CA (9/22/2011) "People & course beautiful, I almost enjoyed it!!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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)
Tyler McCandless from Boulder, Colorado (9/12/2011) "Well organized, beautiful course, & friendly staff" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
Don Pattison from Bartlett, IL (9/7/2011) "Plenty of hills" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
K. S. from Fort Worth, Texas (9/6/2011) "Gorgeous" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
Jim Miller from Orlando, FL (9/5/2011) "Just in from a 15 hour flight and I'll do it again" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 The Kauai Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
C. S. from Illinois (9/5/2011) "Ok but expected better for Kauai" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I ran the full marathon. It was humid, warm and hilly the second half with a headwind at times, but all this was as expected. The volunteers were helpful and enthusiast, as were the few spectators. However for what I paid, the finish line was disappointing. The massages were wonderful but by the time I finished, they were out of smoothies and all that was offered to eat was some fruit and potato chips-wow! There was beer and live music but some more food would have been nice. Then the 'after party' was just the bars usual happy hour but with more patrons due to the marathon. There were TV's-a video replay of the finish line or a marathon program/party would have been nice. Overall this is is a good and challenging marathon but nothing special.
Charise Shively from Washington State (2/21/2011) "Do the half and you'll be happier!" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Kauai is beautiful and this is a fun well organized race. That said, I wish I'd run the half instead of the full! Why? At mile 11 it heads straight up the hill for about 8 - a tiring climb in the heat and humidity. I walked a bunch. The half is pleasant, beautiful and totally manageable - if I ever go back, I'll just run that!
Susan Middleton-Mathis from USA Texas (1/31/2011) "5-star experience; one of the highlights of my lif" (about: 2010) 3 previous marathons \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 AMAZING!!! At the time this was only my second marathon. I had finished 7 half marathons that year and that training really helped! I read about the mountain so I trained on the StairMaster weekly. I race-walked the entire course with several other people and we finished in official time! I flew home that night and was tired and a bit sore but fine. Loved everything about the course!!! Even the mountain... without the mountain, you have no mountain top views. :) I see the views in my mind daily! The volunteers were amazing. By the time my group finished, the race was over - and let me tell you: I don't think one volunteer left early the whole course through. :) They loved on us for 26.2 miles and over 7 hours. The beautiful scenery is all around you!!! It's just amazing!!! I hope it's ok to say we stayed on the North Shore; the rates were so much better there and the drive was not bad at all. :)
Lauren Morrison from Los Angeles, CA (12/10/2010) "One of My Favorite Memories to Date" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 The Kauai Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 To put it simply, participating in the Kauai Marathon was a day I will never forget. The course took my breath away, the people I ran along side were inspiring and fun, and the organization could not have been done better. I smile every time I think about this marathon and plan to go back to participate for years to come.

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