My husband & I signed up with American Stroke Association in Jan. to train for this race. We are both walkers and had never attempted anything like this before. We were amazed how we made it!! He did the full and I did the half. We will never be the same. It was a wonderful experience raising funds for such a need in America. Stroke is the #3 killer and we know hardly anything about it. Truly a great cause. We plan to do it again in 2006 :) We hope more spectators come out to cheer us on. That really helps so much and makes us smile as we walk. I guess runners who do this all the time don't depend on the hoop-da-la, but we newbees love it!

At the age of 43, this was my first official marathon. The experience was worth every mile of training. It was an honor to run for the American Stroke Association, Team Denver. I had heard that the runners for this particular charity (TTES) typically constitute the majority of all participants for the race. Seeing it in person was awesome. The spirit among teammates from all over the country was inspiring and the support from TTES staff members along the course was tremendous.

I was fortunate enough to be running first among the approximately 800 TTES participants for nearly the entire race (two youngsters from team Phoenix finally overtook me at mile 25.5!), and the enthusiastic encouragement I received along the way truly kept me going strong.

A word of caution, however, to first-timers (like myself) and PR seekers: This race is brutal, both physically and psychologically. I had personally trained at mile-high altitude to run between 3:15 and 3:20. In looking at past results, it seemed like times were notably slow for this event. Now I understand why. The long, long, long stretch of barren highway really gets inside your head, and the humidity significantly drains your body of fuel. I was doing fine, averaging 7:00 to 7:30 per mile, exactly at my desired pace until mile 21. That's when the course claimed me. Despite having taken full advantage of the plentiful aid stations throughout the race, the heat and humidity ultimately won out and I suffered severe leg cramps (something I had never experienced as a runner) for the final 5 miles. I finished at a disappointing 3:49.

I learned many lessons from this, which I hope will help me in my 2nd marathon.

Congratulations to the Kona Marathon staff and organizers. It is truly a unique event. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere and warm, hospitable finish are most memorable. Keep up the good work!

I had the distinct honor of raising funds for the American Stroke Association in order to be able to participate in this amazing endeavor. As I read some of the comments, however, I am very disappointed at how many complain of their experiences. Does anyone realize that only 1% of the human population EVER completes a marathon?! Does any EVEN have ANY idea what their contribution means? Apparently not, for all they complain of is the distance (always 26.2... so what's the surprise?), the heat (yes, it was warm, hello! It's Hawaii!... so hydrate!), the long, flat road (yes, it was long and flat... sort of... I used it to contemplate the recent death of my mother and reflect on just exactly who I am... what did you do with your time?), come on people. It is so disappointing to read so much negativity.... Think about it... how many people get the chance to fly to Hawaii to run... Think about all the people who just want to be able to run. I am and will always be infinitely grateful for the opportunity that was set before me and I hope that I may have the honor to do it again... no matter how grueling... hot, long, flat or wet. Because I WILL do it again... for all of those who cannot.

It was a honor to run this course knowing part of it was the Ironman course. Yes it was warm! This is Hawaii. Just be ready for the heat and you will do fine.

I did feel a bit out of place because I was running for the American Diabetes Association and was the only person that didn't get an ADA shirt to wear. That was pretty cheap of them after I raised all the money for them!!!!! I ended up making up my own shirt; that turned out great!

I can see why they aren't sending people to Kona or any other place for that matter.

The first surprise was the starting line: About 80%+ of the group had red shirts on (I thought I had forgotten to pick up an entry shirt!) indicating that they were from all over the U.S. running to support the American Stroke Association. Names, pictures, and purpose statements adorned the back and front of their shirt. Probably the most low-key and friendly marathon I've ever run in.

The stops were very well staffed and frequent. Carnival atmosphere at the end.

The course, although flat, is tough from a weather and exposure standpoint and no one should attempt to set a PR on it. This year, the clouds blessedly covered the course but for all of 20 minutes total but each time the sun peered out, my pace slowed.

Had the pleasure to run beside and talk with race sponsor and Runner #1, Jon Kunitake. He and the local running club are pretty proud of this race - and they should be!!

Recover in a hot tub or while snorkeling the Kona coast...

This is the first marathon I ever ran and the beautiful setting was a big help. It was very hot however and a long part of the full race is on a road surrounded by black lava. Great opportunity but I wouldn't suggest it be your first marathon.

I wish I'd known about www.marathonguide.com while I was training?it?s great! Kona was my first (and last!) full marathon (to raise money for ASA). It was a grueling course at times (the miles and miles of asphalt really did a number on me psychologically and I lived for those mile markers; however, I'll take that over fundraising any day of the week).

Since this was my first marathon, I have nothing to compare it to. I?m used to the heat (I'm from Phoenix), so I didn?t find the weather bad at all, especially since we had cloud cover starting about 11:00. I brought my own water, Gatorade, Power Gels and that weighed a ton but saved my ass. I discovered I really don't have the temperament for marathons, mainly because I don't like a lot of 'rah-rah' cheeriness. I find it intrusive. There was a guy at Mile 12 with pom-poms jumping around and screeching 'You can do it! You can do it!' in my face. He meant well but I just wanted to knock him down and kick the crap out of him ?til he cried.

Anyway, the Kona Marathon was wonderful the way awful things always are when they?re over, I'm proud I did it, my parents are thrilled, my friends are amazed, and my feet have finally healed. I have only one complaint.

I STILL have not received my medal.

You?ve got to understand, I was skinny as a kid (that changed in my 20s! probably the college diet of pizza and beer), I was NEVER athletic, and ALWAYS the last one picked for sports in school. I didn?t get interested in fitness until my mid-30s. I'm a powerwalker and Kona was the biggest distance challenge I've ever had (normally, 7-10 miles, 3-4 x week). The point is, I?m on the bad side of 40, my knees are getting creaky, and short of a shot at a million-dollar prize, I don?t have any more marathons in me. This is the only medal I?ll ever get.

But when I got to the finish line, I was told they were 'all out' and it would be mailed to me. I was too tired and out of it to worry about the details. It is now 2 months later, still no medal, and I can't get a straight answer from anyone.

This was my first marathon and it was a really great experience! The organization was fabulous and the start and end location were nice. The American Stroke Association provides A LOT of support stops and cheerleaders along the way which is really great (and needed!), and also the local neighbors along the route are just as enthusiastic and supportive. After you get out of the main town of Kona and onto the highway, the scenery is pretty dull, so the only thing that keeps you going are those great support groups. It was hot and then rained hard, but then it's Hawaii - so it should be expected. Overall, it's a fun event. I will definitely be back next year!

Kona is absolutely the best place we've ever gone on a family vacation. I've never been very interested in seeing Hawaii so I was reluctant to spend the bucks to go. But now that I've been, I LOVE the Big Island! Snorkleing, horseback riding, volcanoes... my family loved it. What a great Father's Day gift.

Oh yeah, the marathon was nice too. The start was not organized and the charity 'runners' clogged the front. The course was scenic. And guess what? It is hot in Hawaii in June. I was on pace for 3:00 to 3:05 until about 20 miles. Then the heat and lack of a decent breakfast took its toll. I stumbled in at 3:23 after getting sick on the course. Still won my age group. Recovered quickly. Met Bill Rogers. Got some good photos. Had a blast.

Both the course and the heat made this a tough marathon. The people were friendly with an adequate number of water stops. This is not a marathon for record times, but it is Hawaii. Part of the course was run on the main highway which limited spectators. However, there were a number of coaches and team support personnel for some of the charity groups that cheered and assisted all runners. If you are going to Hawaii and what a challenge, then this marathon is for you.