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May 5, 2024

Maui Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 95 [displaying comments 51 to 61]

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D. W. from Columbus Ohio (9/23/2007) "expo and race comments" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Just a few observations. Was at the expo on the first day, and the only women's shirts left were S and XL. The XL was about equivalent to a junior size 7. Suggestion: order a few M's, and the rest L and XL. You can always wear a larger shirt but it is no fun squeezing into a shirt that's too small. Otherwise the expo was nice - much more merchandise than had been available on the website. Marathon course: did not see mile markers 1 and 2, the others were painted on the edge of the road, but not all had upright signs. No clocks along the course at any point. Water stops were manned by very enthusiastic groups (I am calling them spectators, too - and giving them a 5!!), but I did not see any medical or official assistance other than the traffic patrol during the first 6 miles. Saw some runners who could have used some attention over the last few miles. Also, there was no chip mat at the start - therefore the chip time amounted to the gun time. It would be nice if someone wanted to follow a runner on-line, but I wonder how much it would've cost to put a mat at the start line? The course was beautiful - had trained all summer in extreme heat but was not prepared for the tropical sun. Glad it was slightly overcast with a bit of a wind, or it would've been horrendous. Not much shade on this course, either!! I give a rating 5 stars for the combination of scenery and tough hills. Also 5 stars for the photo crew - they took beautiful shots all along the route.
S. J. from San Francisco (9/22/2007) "Good, but could be better" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 First time competing in the half marathon in Maui and the course was beautiful. Water stations and porta-potties were plentiful, but the only medical personnel were at the finish line. This seems a little dangerous for a race run in high temperatures with humidity. Expo was almost non-existent, but nice wicking race shirts.
Michelle Sausen from St Louis, MO (9/21/2007) "Maui, Baby!" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 So, there were so many great things about the course. The organization, dry tech t-shirt design, the availability of porta-potties, the scenery, the weather in 2007, the fresh fruit and the free massages after were all amazing. The great people watching among the runners was excellent; the chicken, bowling pins and Viking guys were all great! On the downside, a few comments would definitely include the Luau - overpriced and barely edible. The expo overall lacked oomph. The water stations should be better organized (water in one color cup - or first upon approach, Gatorade in another color cup and second set of tables) as well as a GU stop along the run. The course isn't supported much from locals; either in cheering squads or in driver respect for the runners on the road (eek!). I was disappointed there were no ice sponges after hearing much about them but the Popsicles late in the course were a nice treat! Great views, 1,200 participants was a great size, and the course gives a nice reason to visit Hawaii - all of which made for a great trip!
V. M. from New York (9/20/2007) "This one is worth it!!!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Crossing 6,000 miles to get there... HHH: Hills, headwind, heat!! My fourth marathon. My slowest but most gratifying by far. Just go there and do it for the beauty of this course. Not a circus like NY or Chicago - just a great local race with tons of aloha!! The medals were not that nice, but so what? Any of the pictures taken of you on this course will overshadow it anyway.
E. J. from Honolulu, HI (9/20/2007) "Bring back the ice sponges!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Maui Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 Cannot believe that there were no ice sponges this year! I love them and I know others swear by them! Comments below about new organization are accurate. Also, there were no local cheerleaders at the end, and the medal this year was cheap. Usually they have a two-sided medal - though this year it was only one-sided. Need to get this race back on track - mahalo!
M. R. from The Mainland (9/19/2007) "Overall a good race" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall the race was a good experience. The course was nice and easy to follow and not too tough. Port-a-potties were plentiful at the start, which was great. Mile markers were somewhat erratic, particularly on the first half. My only real complaint was about the luau - $40 for salad and boiled pasta, without ANY protein at all, is insane. The "entertainment" was ridiculous and not worthy of being called a luau. The announcers were great and full of energy.
M. C. from IL (9/19/2007) "Its Beauty is Dangerous" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Start time was good. Running in the dark was a bit challenging at times as the roads for the first 2 miles weren't nice and flat like the highway was. There is about a 10+-minute walk from the mall area to the actual start line. Please consider this for any last minute "preparation" you may have to do. The run up to the tunnel was quite difficult. Running along the ocean was very beautiful. Wish the headwind would have been a side wind. Finish area was good. Enjoyed the food.
KEVIN MIGUEL from Maui, Hawaii (9/18/2007) "A perfect marathon!" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The sky over the 2007 Maui Marathon was overcast the whole time. It never got hot, but it was humid. Starting line ceremony was short and sweet. Once running, aid station volunteers were outstandingly cheerful! They were great motivators. Sponges and watered-down Coke were missing this year, but one aid station was kind enough to pass out purple gloves filled with ice and water. Those ice packs felt soooo good! At the finish line, you get your medal, and that's it! Finish line organization was AWESOME. Food and drink fewer than 20 feet from the finish line! Massage booths next to that. What more do you need? Oh, and since the run ends at Whaler's Village shopping mall... you have restaurants and clothing stores galore to reward yourself. I hit the convenience store for some beers and that topped off my Sunday! Oh... this year was the marathon's first time using the ChampionChips. Yay! At the expo, you got your finisher's shirt when you picked up your chip. It was a dry-tech type shirt, which is a nice improvement over the cotton tees. Born and raised here on Maui, I don't know why I didn't bother running this marathon before. Compared to the Honolulu Marathon? Maui's run is nice when you want to enjoy a smoothly-run event that feels intimate and personal. Honolulu is insane, punishing, hilarious, zany, you name it... it's like a big festival - suitable for outgoing, social runners. Ps. For anyone who ran Maui this year... I was the guy running in flip-flops. Sorry if the slapping noise was annoying; I'll try another brand next year!
D. A. from Honolulu, Hawaii (9/17/2007) "Very tough, great course" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Enjoyed the "run"; it's a tough course with the hills in the 1st half. Young hula ladies were cute - mahalo for entertaining us. The Taiki group was peppy - uplifting for tired feet.
J. T. from Edison, NJ (9/17/2007) "New leadership needs to get more organized" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Maui Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I have run it 4 times and my understanding is that there was a new group organizing it this year. The marathon organization suffered a bit because of it; in fact I thought I heard the race director say it was his first trip to Maui. Examples of reduced quality of organization: no pre-registration cards sent with race numbers, fewer sponsors at pre-race exhibit, no radio show at start with pre-race warm-up fun, no organization/system for orderly bag drop-off and pick-up, fewer sponsors at the finish (e.g. no Jamba Juice or Starbucks). Still a very good marathon overall, but dropped a notch or two and I hope it will improve for next year. Still has the best M.C. in the world and an incredible location!

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