You've got to expect heat in Hawaii so I was ready for it, 76 degrees at the start. However, I wasn't ready for the beauty of the course and the orginization that accompanied it. The ocean waves were a constant reminder and so soothing. The course was 85% on the coast and breathtakingly beautiful. The volunteers were very helpful and very numerous. I've never used icy sponges before, but here they were plentiful and essential.

I simply had to run this marathon for my own personal experience. My peanut butter and jelly sandwitch tasted 'oh sooo good' at mile 10. The water stops were well stocked and the volunteers where great! This was my 5th marathon this year besides triathlons, 1/2 marathons, 10K's, 8K's and 5K's. I hope to see some of you at the Las Vegas Marathon in December. I was very happy to have helped a few people who were in pain/discomfort with some of Dr. Hoy's rub. When I run in marathons I make sure I take extra Dr. Hoy's with me just for this reason; we all want to finish no matter what shape were in at the finish. Of course, after we get to the finish line, the pain disappears, right? I'll be back Maui....

See you soon,
Velma

Maui is indeed paradise, but the marathon was brutal. Well organized, with lots of support, but the course was tedious in spite of the exotic scenery. Or maybe I just didn't train enough?

Well organized, carbo-load dinner and finisher's party fun and well done. Course well marked, good aid stations (great workers, hula girls, drummers, etc.) - loved the cold sponges. Spectatators were virtually non-existent until the finish line.

I read the heat warnings of earlier comments on this site. So I trained as much as possible in the heat of the day over the summer (at least my weekend long runs). I learned that there is no way to simulate the effect of the tropical sun while training in Wisconsin!

It was at least 75F at the start. By mile 3, I was drenched with sweat. The hills did not bother me. I was on my desired pace (3:30 finish) until mile 15. Then the sun came up over the mountains. By mile 17, I was maxing out my heart rate to maintain the pace. I had to back off, and start walking the aid stations.

I finished 4:07:14. It was over 85 degrees by this time. I lost 12 pounds during the race, and took in at least 10 pounds (over a gallon) of fluid during the race.

I would have finished sooner if I had just jogged it at my LSD pace from the start. This is not a race to PR or BQ unless you live and train in the tropics, or are an elite. If you run it, just do it for fun and enjoy the great scenery!

The organization, volunteers, and carb party were first-class. The course is good but marred by the constant traffic on the course. Not a hazard but a problem with exhaust. There were no spectators, even through Lahaina.

Very hot and sunny but the very cold sponges were great. The workers at the aid stations were all great. They could not have been better. The medal is neat but the t-shirt is not too pretty.

Great promotion of the race worldwide, but most people I met on Maui did not even know of the race - including a number of Weston employees, a sponsor of the race.

Top-class organization, very friendly atmosphere! And of course having the magic maui shore as scenery makes you feel even better! Nice weather, not so hot - and excellent refreshments and medical support (though I did not need it); thank you maui! Will come again!!!!

Never thought a cold sponge would feel so good over my head. My goal was under 4 hours, having just done a 3:49 last June in San Diego R&R and being in about the same shape. I will use the heat as an excuse for the 4:15 for this one. Still, I'm blessed beyond words to be able to do this and have a great time at it. Very well organized but need some gels at least once around mile 15.

Ran it for the second time and it was just as awesome! Learned my lesson last year and ran with a Fuel Belt and a bottle of water to hydrate early and often. This allowed me to run the whole thing and avoid cramping up like last year. Ran it in 4 hrs and 15 mins. The race started 30 minutes later this year and that made it 30 minutes more of sun and heat - so I hope they go back to a 5:00 AM start. The volunteers do a great job with the water and ice sponges. Plus they are the kindest people in the world with so much encouragement when you need it! The carbo-loading party was great at the Westin (although I thought there was more food last year) and the after party was also done well. It is hard to imagine a better marathon - just remember to drink plenty as the heat is the only tough part.

2nd year I have done the Maui Marathon and this year also convinced my girlfriend to do the Maui 1/2 Marathon. Very well organized and planned. As with last year the heat and hills made it difficult so be prepared. The only suggestion I would give would be to have the pasta dinner the afternoon/early evening the day before the race. Currently the pasta dinner is Friday night and the race is Sunday so on Saturday I'm running around trying to find pasta in a tropical paradise.

I actually ran the 1/2 marathon this year in preparation for December's Honolulu Marathon. I found the Maui course to be wonderful. The half marathon course was out-and-back starting from the Maui Marathon finish line. There were aid stations every mile and well-stocked. It's lovely. Although it is on the side of the road, you are mainly running along the ocean most of the way. I enjoyed this course a lot more than my two Honolulu Marathons, and if I were to be in Hawaii again, I would choose to do this one over the Honolulu Marathon. Less people and crowding. Nice that they also announced nearly everyone's name as you crossed the finish line.