The 10th Annual Kauai Marathon offers a world class race along with world class scenery

The 10th annual Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon set for Sept. 2 is a little more than six weeks away. While you still have time to whip yourself into shape for the half marathon, 13.1 miles, forget about it if you haven’t been in training for the full 26.2 miles. That’s an entirely different beast, particularly with this Kauai Marathon course of so many hills, long and short, as the course winds through Lawai and Kalaheo. The hills can suck the life out of your legs and can turn a long day into an even longer day, however the course is one of the most beautiful of any half or full.  Registration is up nearly 20 percent for this year’s races, with 315 signed on for the full, and 1,504 registered for the half.  Jeff Sacchini, who also co-owns and operates Living Foods Market and The Lanai restaurant at The Shops at Kukuiula is the founder and owner of the event.  The aid on the course, the support, the finisher medals, the aloha, and the food and drink afterward, are top-notch. It really is a commitment to creating the best experience for runners and walkers. And, perhaps best of all since that first marathon 2009, more than $100,000 of the proceeds have gone to nonprofit groups and charities on Kauai. Kauai is fortunate to have a marathon of such caliber. As Sacchini has said, Kauai residents don’t have to leave the island to compete in what really is a world-class race.  Registration is still open.

posted Sunday July 22nd