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Kona Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Kona Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.6 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 3.1
Number of comments: 74 [displaying comments 71 to 74]
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A Runner from Midland, TX (west Texas
(9/3/2000)
 "INCREDIBLE SCENERY/WATCH OUT FOR THE HILLS!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 For my first marathon I really couldn't have chose a more scenic place to run 26.2 miles. Coming from west Texas it's even more understandable. It was a prefect combination of ocean view, view of the down town area and residential area. The description of the route being semi flat was being a little vague. The hills were such a strain on my poor legs, that walking for two days following the run took much effort. My advice is plenty of hill training. The temperature the last 1/3 of the race was also a challenge for some. The team spirit was amazing, from both the Leukemia Society and Team Diabetes. It actually helped carry me for a couple of those grueling miles around #20. Not too many spectators but those present were great. The finish line was a major plus! Midland, TX Team Diabetes will return in 2001 with more eager runners! Thanks Jim! Tracey | |
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Ron Swart from Long Beach, California, USA
(7/28/2000)
 "What a beautiful run!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was the first marathon I ever ran. I'd volunteered for a couple before this one, so I knew a thing or two about 'em. The Kona marathon spends plenty of time right along the ocean, where the views of the waves and a few sandy beaches were a tempting distraction... the cool water sure sounded like a good idea. It was a little hot during my last 10 miles or so, but faster runners were done by that time. There were NOT a huge number of spectators, but it's hard to drive over from neighboring states | |
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A Runner from Long Island
(7/24/2000)
 "A great half! Would have been a brutal full mara." (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half marathon and completely loved everything about the race. Aloha abounded in the post-race area. The women's winner did a cartwheel as she crossed the finish line (evidently, that's her 'thing'...well--COOL!) The half goes out and back along Ali'i Drive, a very pretty waterfront low-key commercial district. A nutso downhill at mile 2 was an even more insane uphill at mile 12, but it made for a neat race knowing all along it was coming up (and I mean UP). After finishing a satisfying effort, I schmoozed around the finish area for as long as I wished, stayed in the shade (it was around mid-80s at this point) got a massage, ate a bunch of fruit, drank a bunch of water, RaceDay drink, and some good Kona coffee (who can resist?) and then decided to head back to Kohala, where my hotel was about 40 minutes north. What did I see when I got on the highway? Runners! Hundreds of poor bastard runners still plugging away well over an hour after I had finished and done the whole sybaritic finish afterglow thing. I think it must have been an entirely different race for them. I talked to a couple of marathoners at my hotel later and learned that the course went from low-key 2-lane town road with water gracing the periphery to baked asphalt Interstate ambience just after the half marathon turn around. Also, I think the race went through some growing pains this year as the participants went from around 600 to nearly 2000. This was due in no small part to it being a Diabetes Team-In-Training race. That also made it terrific as the Diabetes cheerleaders were supportive of everyone out there, not just the people in Team-in-training red shirts. I really liked this race and would do it again if I were in Hawaii at the same time, but I think I'd skip the full marathon unless they re-route it away from the main highway. | |
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A Runner from Denver, CO
(6/28/2000)
"Wow! Challenging and beautiful...and hot." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 My first marathon, so I have nothing to compare it with. Well organized, hot and humid, beautiful ocean view for the first and last 6 miles (it's an out and back course). Lava fields for miles 11-16. Only disappointment was we had to run on the shoulder of the road. Suppose that's the norm. |
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