I was very nervous, I've done the half marathon part of this course every year for the past 7years so I knew what to expect on the first half of … MORE
I was very nervous, I’ve done the half marathon part of this course every year for the past 7years so I knew what to expect on the first half of it. I reviewed the full course online and I knew it was going to be challenging. But as I split off from the half marathon runners and I began my journey into the full part of the course I felt great, and there were adequate hydration tents along the course with portapotties? Sorry idk how to spell that lol, also staff riding a moped up and down the course checking in on runners for cramping or hydration needs. There was entertainment along the course people dancing hula, drummers beating drums, music. There was also local people in the neighborhoods cheering and some of them set out sprinklers and sprayed runners with their garden hoses, they even had treats and drinks set out on tables! On one house the lady had fan like paddles in her hands and she began fanning me as I passed her home, she cheered for me and said “just around the corner it’ll open up and you’ll get some nice winds!” There were markers to mark the distance along the course which was really nice to see. It gave me that push to make it to the next marker lol. My training had paid off! My advice would be to train for this course because it has lots of hills. We got lucky with the weather that day. We were blessed with sprinkles of rain and some overcast, and wonderful Tradewinds. But it’s not always like that, we have some hot humid days. Make you feel like your running in hell. Do this race at least once in your life it’s worth it. Lucky I live here, I can do it again. I am proud of myself, I survived it.
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First Full Marathon
I was very nervous, I've done the half marathon part of this course every year for the past 7years so I knew what to expect on the first half of … MORE
I was very nervous, I’ve done the half marathon part of this course every year for the past 7years so I knew what to expect on the first half of it. I reviewed the full course online and I knew it was going to be challenging. But as I split off from the half marathon runners and I began my journey into the full part of the course I felt great, and there were adequate hydration tents along the course with portapotties? Sorry idk how to spell that lol, also staff riding a moped up and down the course checking in on runners for cramping or hydration needs. There was entertainment along the course people dancing hula, drummers beating drums, music. There was also local people in the neighborhoods cheering and some of them set out sprinklers and sprayed runners with their garden hoses, they even had treats and drinks set out on tables! On one house the lady had fan like paddles in her hands and she began fanning me as I passed her home, she cheered for me and said “just around the corner it’ll open up and you’ll get some nice winds!” There were markers to mark the distance along the course which was really nice to see. It gave me that push to make it to the next marker lol. My training had paid off! My advice would be to train for this course because it has lots of hills. We got lucky with the weather that day. We were blessed with sprinkles of rain and some overcast, and wonderful Tradewinds. But it’s not always like that, we have some hot humid days. Make you feel like your running in hell. Do this race at least once in your life it’s worth it. Lucky I live here, I can do it again. I am proud of myself, I survived it.
Tough Marathon on an Amazing Island
The Kauai Marathon is well-organized, well-run, and a true incredible challenge due to the hilly course and humid Hawaii climate. One of the biggest pros to this marathon is that … MORE
The Kauai Marathon is well-organized, well-run, and a true incredible challenge due to the hilly course and humid Hawaii climate. One of the biggest pros to this marathon is that you have to travel to Kauai to run it…and that alone is an incredible experience where you will see scenery that is unlike anywhere else in the world. My wife, who has been all over most of the world, even commented she had never seen such natural beauty in all her travels.
I myself cannot stress how naturally wonderful of an island Kauai is. If you choose to run the Kauai marathon travel to the island several days ahead of time so 1) you can adjust to the time zone difference and jet lag / rooster crowing and 2) you can make plans to enjoy the natural wonder of this paradise. They call it the “garden island” and it lives up to that name.
It’s hard to sum up the whole experience in a few paragraphs, so I encourage you to read my full detailed race report at https://runningriddles.com/races/the-2019-kauai-marathon-in-hawaii/.
Hills, Hot, Humid
This is a difficult course, absolutely beautiful scenery throughout with hula dancers, drums, water stations, porta potties, locals cheering you on along the way with their garden hose sprinklers on … MORE
This is a difficult course, absolutely beautiful scenery throughout with hula dancers, drums, water stations, porta potties, locals cheering you on along the way with their garden hose sprinklers on to cool down runners as we pass by. There were local families giving out water bottles as you ran by their houses. The race is well organized, mile markers along the way. Unlike the Honolulu Hapalua Marathon, I didnt see any mile markers through the entire run. I relied on my tracker on my phone. Volunteers passing out cold towels by kukuiula bypass road. Finish the race down by the coastline near the Sheraton Resort. Definitely train for this if you choose to do the full Marathon. It’s a beast of a course. The half pales in comparison.
hilly, hot, humid and gorgeous
loved the ice at the water stops during a hot and humid race with hill after hill. The race staff and volunteers are topnotch and you can't find a more … MORE
loved the ice at the water stops during a hot and humid race with hill after hill. The race staff and volunteers are topnotch and you can’t find a more friendly or beautiful spot for a post-marathon vacation.
Hurricanes Hurt Performance!
The nearness of several hurricanes in the area really impacted the weather for race day. This is a tough course in the best conditions, and the 2015 version was far … MORE
The nearness of several hurricanes in the area really impacted the weather for race day. This is a tough course in the best conditions, and the 2015 version was far from “best conditions”. The combination of high humidity, higher temperatures, and no trade winds really sapped my strength. The redeeming quality, as always, is the aloha spirit along the course. Where else does an entire course shut down and the streets get filled with locals cheering on perfect strangers as though they were family members? Even the ‘remote’ portions had folks scattered around to cheer. This is one race that eats me alive, and I can’t wait to run it again!
Great First Marathon in HI
This is a very scenic course with tremendous hills and WONDERFUL aloha spirit. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who took to their front yards to cheer on … MORE
This is a very scenic course with tremendous hills and WONDERFUL aloha spirit. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who took to their front yards to cheer on strangers and offer them encouragement, food, and a spritz from their garden hose! Finishing with a quarter-mile dash along the coast is a great way to end a race. I will run this race again and again if my body will let me!
PW
Hot, humid, and hilly. Not a recommended race. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX MORE
Hot, humid, and hilly. Not a recommended race. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
First Race
Decided I was going to sign up for a race since my last race was a 5k in JR High and I felt like pushing myself. I couldn't have asked … MORE
Decided I was going to sign up for a race since my last race was a 5k in JR High and I felt like pushing myself. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to run! Kauai is gorgeous, and the race was well organized. FYI, this race is not flat so don’t underestimate the difficulty but I would highly suggest this to anyone who can get out to Kauai…great place for a run-cation!!!