Overall Rating
Overall Rating (11 Reviews)
5
(11 Ratings) 🏆 (11 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
4.3
SCENERY
4.9
PRODUCTION
4.8
SWAG
4.5
Kauai’s tropical paradise is the backdrop for this world-class event. The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon participants pass hula dancers and Taiko drum troupes along the course while viewing striking mountain and ocean views. Each runner concludes his or her journey along one of the most beautiful oceanfront finishes in … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Sep 01):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  84  82  83  84  86
L (°F)  78  74  71  79  77
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Recent reviews

    sydneylross FIRST-TIMER '23

    Such a beautiful course with wonderful Hawaiian culture along the way! It’s not a difficult course but it does have a slow build to like 7. Make it there and … MORE

    Such a beautiful course with wonderful Hawaiian culture along the way! It’s not a difficult course but it does have a slow build to like 7. Make it there and it’s easy sailing to the finish line! Everyone who ran this race was so amazing, even making a few friends along the way.

    We stayed in Poipu, making it easy to get to the expo and the start line. The finish is a little longer of a walk but your body needs the shake out anyway.

    The spectators were wonderful providing snacks and even beer along the way. I highly recommend this race!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    RRWAEB83 FIRST-TIMER '23

    From start to finish this was phenomenal. Communication was great, location was breathtaking, tons of support on the course, and great after party. The course was hilly but just so … MORE

    From start to finish this was phenomenal. Communication was great, location was breathtaking, tons of support on the course, and great after party. The course was hilly but just so beautiful. This is one I would do again and again. So glad this was where I finished my 50 state journey!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    jonoringading REPEAT RUNNER '23

    This course has 3000 ft of climb. But the scenery is so beautiful that you don't worry about it. 2nd year in a row that it rained, but again, it … MORE

    This course has 3000 ft of climb. But the scenery is so beautiful that you don’t worry about it. 2nd year in a row that it rained, but again, it is warm, and with the right socks, no worries. The best part for me is tbe Hula Dancers at the aid stations. It really gives positive energy to watch the grace of the dancers. The Medal is really nice as well!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
    My Media

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    plucas45 FIRST-TIMER '23

    Great views the whole race. Nice rolling hills and a good downhill portion after mile 7. Found myself looking around more than most runs as there is a lot to … MORE

    Great views the whole race. Nice rolling hills and a good downhill portion after mile 7. Found myself looking around more than most runs as there is a lot to see. Great race to do for sure.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    lilshortee1978 REPEAT RUNNER '22

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3
    My Media

    4 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

    delbert.007 Aug 10, 2023 at 3:49pm

    Yikes, what did I get myself into for my 50th state half😦😂😂😂😂

    Yikes, what did I get myself into for my 50th state half😦😂😂😂😂

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    runningriddles FIRST-TIMER '19

    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/.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    My Report
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    4 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

    pleegenes Sep 08, 2023 at 10:38am

    I can’t see how to get to your review from your website. It doesn’t go past 2022.

    I can’t see how to get to your review from your website. It doesn’t go past 2022.

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    Profile photo of Nancy Okano-Scheer
    lilshortee1978 REPEAT RUNNER '17

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    lynnrd FIRST-TIMER '16

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    RunningPastor REPEAT RUNNER '15

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    3 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

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    RunningPastor FIRST-TIMER '14

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    4 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

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    mjlucarelli FIRST-TIMER '10

    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!!!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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  1. Races
  2. Kauai Marathon & Half Marathon