The sunrise was simply gorgeous for the start of The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, September 3, 2017. A record number 2,073 participated in the 9th annual event.
Runners from 48 States and 18 countries enjoyed the magic of the Garden Isle. The Aloha State was well represented with 1,085 local registrants of whom 788 were from Kauai, which were both event records. Additionally, there were 64 participants who ran the full or half marathon for the 9th year in a row.
The performance of the day went to Michael Wardian of Arlington, Virginia, who completed the Full Marathon in an impressive 2:45:26. Wardian shared the excitement of his victory: “It was an incredible day of racing on the Garden Island. Even though this is not my home turf, the volunteers and crowd support made me feel like the hometown hero. You really feel like you are part of the family when you race on Kauai!”
The second place finisher in the men’s field for the Full Marathon was Daniel Hagemeyer of Bern, Switzerland with a time of 3:21:18 and third place went to local Honolulu resident Takeshi Yamada with a time of 3:28:13. Bree Wee of Kailua-Kona dominated the women’s race in a time of 3:14:10 followed by Hillary Heilman of Vista, California in 3:33:16 and Mikelle Adamczyk from Honolulu in 3:35:45.
Colorado’s Tyler McCandless won the Half Marathon for the fourth year in a row with a course record time of 1:06:42. He was followed by Japanese runner Shinya Ohashi with a time of 1:09:11. Third place went to Gabriel Tom of Honolulu at 1:22:47.
Lauren Tippets of Pescadero, California won the women’s Half Marathon for the fourth time crossing the finish at 1:25:45. The battle for second was the tightest race of the day between Mary Ernsdorf of Kilauea and Patricia Cabedo Serrano of Spain. Ernsdorf clocked in at 1:28:36 while Serrano crossed the finish at 1:30:36.
Kauai’s top finishers were Eric Wright and Kasey Osaki for the Full Marathon and Brandon Jacinto and Mary Ernsdorf in the Half Marathon.
The 2017 event featured far more than the successful running of the Marathon and Half Marathon. The world class Wilcox Health Sports and Fitness Expo provided a backdrop for runners to meet several running celebrities, as well as informative health and wellness seminars in the days leading up to the race. The Fun Run on Saturday morning brought runners together for a casual “shake out” morning adventure. And finally, the Fifth Annual Keiki Run sponsored by Wilcox Health energized 149 children from the ages of 2 to 12 with exciting races at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Runner’s World’s Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso was on hand for the week’s festivities handing out tips and inspiration to all the runners. Yasso believes Kauai hosts one of the best running events he has been a part of because of the accessibility to the running community through the Expo, pre-race fun run and the finish line party. He loves the personal connections he makes and always looks forward to the aloha shared by the people of Kauai.
Several sponsors made the event possible including: County of Kauai, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kauai Coffee, Koloa Landing Resort, Island Air, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, Nukumoi Surf Co., Wilcox Health, Kauai Heritage Portfolio, HMSA, Living Foods Gourmet Market and Café, and Poipu Beach Resort Association. Many other local businesses assisted by providing volunteer lunches, accommodations and supplies for the medical tent.
Over $7,000 was generously donated to numerous local non-profit groups volunteering for race day activities. Kalaheo Elementary School, Swim Kauai Aquatics, and the Waimea High School Project Grad are just a few.
For 2017 results and more information, visit thekauaimarathon.com.