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Jul 4, 2024

Maui Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 95 [displaying comments 71 to 81]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > ]

Alan Carter from Toronto, Canada (10/6/2005) "Glad I did it, ONCE!" (about: 2005) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Maui is indeed paradise, but the marathon was brutal. Well organized, with lots of support, but the course was tedious in spite of the exotic scenery. Or maybe I just didn't train enough?
L. S. from Milton, WI (10/6/2005) "Great scenery, well organized, hot, few spectators" (about: 2005) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Well organized, carbo-load dinner and finisher's party fun and well done. Course well marked, good aid stations (great workers, hula girls, drummers, etc.) - loved the cold sponges. Spectatators were virtually non-existent until the finish line. I read the heat warnings of earlier comments on this site. So I trained as much as possible in the heat of the day over the summer (at least my weekend long runs). I learned that there is no way to simulate the effect of the tropical sun while training in Wisconsin! It was at least 75F at the start. By mile 3, I was drenched with sweat. The hills did not bother me. I was on my desired pace (3:30 finish) until mile 15. Then the sun came up over the mountains. By mile 17, I was maxing out my heart rate to maintain the pace. I had to back off, and start walking the aid stations. I finished 4:07:14. It was over 85 degrees by this time. I lost 12 pounds during the race, and took in at least 10 pounds (over a gallon) of fluid during the race. I would have finished sooner if I had just jogged it at my LSD pace from the start. This is not a race to PR or BQ unless you live and train in the tropics, or are an elite. If you run it, just do it for fun and enjoy the great scenery!
D. R. from Georgetown Ky (10/1/2005) "Great organization of a great race" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The organization, volunteers, and carb party were first-class. The course is good but marred by the constant traffic on the course. Not a hazard but a problem with exhaust. There were no spectators, even through Lahaina. Very hot and sunny but the very cold sponges were great. The workers at the aid stations were all great. They could not have been better. The medal is neat but the t-shirt is not too pretty. Great promotion of the race worldwide, but most people I met on Maui did not even know of the race - including a number of Weston employees, a sponsor of the race.
DOMINIQUE LACROIX from CHARLOTTE, NC - USA (9/25/2005) "Top-class organization, very friendly atmosphere!" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Top-class organization, very friendly atmosphere! And of course having the magic maui shore as scenery makes you feel even better! Nice weather, not so hot - and excellent refreshments and medical support (though I did not need it); thank you maui! Will come again!!!!
A. T. from San Diego, California (9/24/2005) "A cold sponge never felt so good...." (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Never thought a cold sponge would feel so good over my head. My goal was under 4 hours, having just done a 3:49 last June in San Diego R&R and being in about the same shape. I will use the heat as an excuse for the 4:15 for this one. Still, I'm blessed beyond words to be able to do this and have a great time at it. Very well organized but need some gels at least once around mile 15.
J. T. from Edison, NJ (9/24/2005) "Another great year!!" (about: 2005) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Maui Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Ran it for the second time and it was just as awesome! Learned my lesson last year and ran with a Fuel Belt and a bottle of water to hydrate early and often. This allowed me to run the whole thing and avoid cramping up like last year. Ran it in 4 hrs and 15 mins. The race started 30 minutes later this year and that made it 30 minutes more of sun and heat - so I hope they go back to a 5:00 AM start. The volunteers do a great job with the water and ice sponges. Plus they are the kindest people in the world with so much encouragement when you need it! The carbo-loading party was great at the Westin (although I thought there was more food last year) and the after party was also done well. It is hard to imagine a better marathon - just remember to drink plenty as the heat is the only tough part.
C. G. from Chicago, IL (9/21/2005) "Great Race" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Maui Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 2nd year I have done the Maui Marathon and this year also convinced my girlfriend to do the Maui 1/2 Marathon. Very well organized and planned. As with last year the heat and hills made it difficult so be prepared. The only suggestion I would give would be to have the pasta dinner the afternoon/early evening the day before the race. Currently the pasta dinner is Friday night and the race is Sunday so on Saturday I'm running around trying to find pasta in a tropical paradise.
B. S. from Aiea, HI (1/12/2005) "Beautiful course" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I actually ran the 1/2 marathon this year in preparation for December's Honolulu Marathon. I found the Maui course to be wonderful. The half marathon course was out-and-back starting from the Maui Marathon finish line. There were aid stations every mile and well-stocked. It's lovely. Although it is on the side of the road, you are mainly running along the ocean most of the way. I enjoyed this course a lot more than my two Honolulu Marathons, and if I were to be in Hawaii again, I would choose to do this one over the Honolulu Marathon. Less people and crowding. Nice that they also announced nearly everyone's name as you crossed the finish line.
D. H. from Baltimore, MD (11/15/2004) "great if you can handle the heat :-)" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The heat is the biggest factor in this race. I also trained in the heat of Baltimore, but apparently that didn't help me too much. It didn't help that Hawaii had a 'heat wave' that week, so the temps were 87 when I finished, when normally that's your high for the day. The coolness of the morning feels perfect for running, so at least you have an awesome run before the sun rises. The course is pretty nice. The hill at the beginning is over several miles, so it's easy to navigate, and you're still in the coolness of the morning. I didn't start having issues until the hills heading out to the ocean, around mile 12-13. The heat starts bearing down on you, and you have your biggest challenge of hills for the day. After the heat got to me, it all seemed uphill, when in reality, it's a bare incline towards Lahaina, or even flat. Running alongside the ocean is fantastic, but would've been much more enjoyable if I wasn't trashed physically. :-) The support was great, and the medical people at the end were great as well. Thank you!! The icy cold sponges at the water stops were what saved me from a total disaster, I'm sure. They felt SOOOO good! The support crews were also very supportive. The crowds were great, but very spread out, which is fine for me. I need a break from the crowds sometimes. Be prepared to be running by yourself for long periods of time when you're oceanside. What that stretch does give you, and family, is really easy access to each other. They can ride up and down the road for you, providing support, stopping almost anywhere, and yelling from the car. The expo left a lot to be desired. We had to park up on this big hill, and be shuttled down. The expo wasn't much of an expo, so that was a bit much for just packet pickup. But, in fairness, the shuttle worked well, and was frequent. I stayed at Maui Seaside, 1 block from the start. The hotel is very basic, and some people wouldn't like it at all, but it is definitely worth staying at to be able to get up later on race morning, and without the long drive and hassle of the shuttle bus. It was awesome to just walk shortly to the start. It's cheap too, and locally owned. If you're Kamaina (local), you can get the Kamaina rate as well. An additional benefit is that you don't stress yourself out about the race because you're away from all of the excitement, and can do things at your own pace. The race has a shuttle back to Kahului after the race, and that worked well.
C. G. from Chicago, IL (9/24/2004) "Great Race" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Maui Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having run Chicago for the past few years I wanted to try something smaller. Maui was perfect and the course was outstanding. After training in flat Chicago I was worried about the hills, but in reality they were a non-issue. The biggest issue I had was the heat. After mile 16 it started to wear on me and really showed my pace. I finished about 30 minutes slower than I normally would, but would still recommend the race to everyone. The organization was top notch for a small race!

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