I’ve always been a runner, but when life got busy I accidentally took a few years off. Excuses, excuses, I know. But one day a friend shared her workout to Instagram and I asked what app she was using. She told me she was using the Runna app and that I should give it a try. I downloaded the app and was able to test it out with a 2 week free trial (use code RUNNAWSKC2N5 for a 2 week free trial). When you download the app and set up your training plan, you select a race. This allows the app to create an appropriate training plan. I chose the Kaua’i Half Marathon to see what it was about, loved the training plan, and then I decided to actually sign up for the half marathon. And I’m so glad I did!
Sometimes there’s a race that leaves such a lasting impression, that is the Kaua’i Marathon & Half. From the beautiful views to the community full of Aloha Spirit, the Kaua’i Marathon (or the half marathon) is a bucket list race you have to run! Running is one of my favorite ways to explore a new city, whether running on my own or in destination races. They offer such a unique way to see the beauty of a city and landmarks.
The Kaua’i Marathon & Half Marathon courses are beautiful as you run through the south shore of Kaua’i. There are stunning views of the mountains or the ocean as you run through lush green vegetation.
The week of the race, I caught the cold going around the office. I missed work Wednesday and Thursday and didn’t run all week, so I wasn’t even sure I was going to race on Sunday. Friday morning, I was feeling slightly better. By Saturday morning, I definitely felt better. Not 100% better, but definitely better. So off we went to the Grand Hyatt to the race expo to pick up my race packet.
Kaua’i Marathon & Half Expo
The expo is held at the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. There is a paid parking lot and plenty of street parking. Stay towards the right as you walk down the drive and approach the lobby. There is a hallway that takes you to the ballroom where the expo is held. There are a few vendors and Kaua’i Marathon & Half banners outside the ballroom, so it’s easy to spot. Don’t forget to take your pre-race picture against the backdrop!
Head into the ballroom to pick up your packet and shop around. Your packet includes a bag, race shirt, race bib, and safety pins. The pre-race emails after you register include a virtual packet with offers from local companies. Inside the ballroom are a variety of athletic stores, health and wellness vendors, and local health and wellness shops set up at the expo. Shop the local vendors or check out the running stores for last minute necessities. If you have any questions or concerns, physical therapists from Wilcox Health are on site. They also demonstrate stretches with foam rollers and offered kinesio taping.
Race Information
Both races start together at 6am to avoid some of the heat. The first couple miles will be in the near dark of dawn. You will be greeted with a beautiful Hawaiian sunrise in the first several miles.
The start line is about 1/4 mile west of the Poipu Shopping Village on Poipu Road, almost right in front of Koloa Landing Resort (which makes this a great hotel to stay at!). There is plenty of parking on the side of Kiahuna Plantation Drive, the road which takes you into Poipu Shopping Village. If you’re staying at the Grand Hyatt, or want to park there, shuttles take runners to the start line and back to the Grand Hyatt from the finish line.
You wait in the parking lot of Poipu Shopping Village until Poipu Road is closed before heading to the start line. The atmosphere while waiting here is really fun with music and an announcer sharing reminders and fun information.
Road Closures
There are a lot of road closures, so friends and family likely won’t be able to drive around to cheer you on at different spots along the course. One possibility is to get into Old Koloa Town before the surrounding roads close to be able to cheer you on from one of the side roads as you bypass Koloa Town (between mile 3 and 4). Then they could drive back towards Poipu and wait for you at the finish line.
Because of the road closures, the course does have time limits! All runners must pass through tree tunnel, just under 7 miles, by 7:55am. All full marathon runners must pass mile 11 by 8:50am. These time limits require maintaining a 15-16 min/mile pace. If you don’t make it by the cutoff times, shuttles pick you up and drop you off further down the course. You will still get the opportunity to finish the race and receive a medal, but you will not receive an official time.
The Kaua’i Marathon & Half Marathon Course
The half marathon and full marathon courses run together for the first 11 miles together (view the course map here). The course is well marked with signs and volunteers at every turn so you don’t veer off course.
You gradually gain elevation for the first five miles, but between miles 5 and 6 you go up a steeper hill as you approach Tree Tunnel. Having been sick all week, this hill was a struggle for me so I walked it. There is an aid station right as you get to the top of the hill before you continue on to tree tunnel.
Running through tree tunnel is such a beautiful and unique experience. The road is almost always busy with road traffic with nowhere to turn out and stop or walk and take in the views. When you exit tree tunnel, you turn left and run almost 2 miles on the main highway until you turn off on Omao Road. The westbound lane is coned off and closed to traffic for runners, but there is alternating road traffic in the other lane. Road traffic passed slowly, most drivers cheering runners on.
For half marathoners, once you pass through tree tunnel, it is mostly downhill from here. There are a couple minor hills, but it’s almost entirely downhill. At mile 11, half marathoners turn left to go through the roundabout and head back towards Poipu while the full marathoners turn right and head into Kalaheo. There are a lot more hills in the second half of the full marathon as you run to and from Kalaheo.
Community Support
The morning of the race, in my sicky state of mind, I forgot my headphones. I was bummed going into the race knowing it was going to be a struggle because I’d been sick. But I was shocked by how quickly the race seemed to fly by. I didn’t even feel like I needed headphones with how much the community came out to support runners. You really feel the Aloha spirit as you run by hula dancers, taiko drummers, and people set up in front of houses cheering you on. People even sat at spots along the course that ran by fields, so you constantly felt the support. To the girls right before the hill at mile 5, you were the best hype girls! As you come down Omao road, there’s a family that does big bubbles every year.
Some friends ran the full marathon and said they found the same community support in the second half. Tons of people were out in the Kalaheo neighborhoods cheering on runners. There was even a couple that ran alongside runners up a hill blowing leaf blowers at them!
Aid Stations
There were plenty of aid stations along the course, including many unofficial aid stations. The official aid stations offered flavored powerade and water. There were no gels at any of the aid stations, so plan accordingly and bring your own. The expo is a good chance to stock up on gels or chews! I think every official aid station had someone holding a hose to spray runners.
Residents set up tables along the course creating their own aid stations. While they offered sports drinks and water, please note that the gatorade was different than the official aid stations. They also offered jellybeans, fresh fruit, bacon, and a pickles and beer station. Omao Road was full of houses that had set up aid stations and sprinklers/hoses.
Final Thoughts on Kaua’i Marathon & Half
I didn’t stick around for the post race party. I’d like to blame it on the fact my husband brought one of the dogs with him. But I was so exhausted after the race from being sick. Between the heat, humidity, and spray downs, my hair was an absolute mess afterwards. I recommend anyone with longer hair to braid it or put it in a bun.
The community and Aloha spirit are what make this marathon and half marathon bucket list races. I definitely plan to do this again next year!
