Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the race start?

The 16th edition of The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon starts at 6am HST on Sunday, August 31, 2025. While the starting guns goes off at 6am, runners should arrive by 4:45 am to warm up, stretch, and enjoy the pre-race festivities.

Where does the race start?

The race starts 1/4 mile west of the Poipu Shopping Village, staging area. Please be in the start corral by 5:30am.

Poipu Shopping Village is located at 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa, HI 96756

Are there shuttle busses to the start line?

Shuttle buses will take runners from the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa to the start line. Shuttles run from the Group Side Entrance at 4am, 4:15 am, 4:30 am, 4:45 am and 5am.

Shuttle busses will also run from the finish line back to the start line, the Grand Hyatt, and other nearby public parking lots beginning at 8:30 am and continuing until just after the conclusion of the finisher’s party. However, if you don’t want to wait for a shuttle bus, it’s only a short walk from the finish line back to the start line at Poipu Shopping Village.

Will there be a clothes drop at the start line?

There will be a clothes drop at the start line staging area. Please bring your reusable race bag to the start line staging area – we’ll tag it with your race number and deliver it to the finish line information tent.

We will not be liable for any lost or stolen items, so we recommend that you don’t leave any valuables in your race bag. Any clothing left at the finish line information tent will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Is there a time limit in which to complete the marathon and half marathon courses?

There is a strict 7-hour course time limit for ALL full marathon participants. All full and half participants must pass through the tree tunnel at Mile 6.7 by 7:55am or they will get picked up by the course shuttle and brought to Omao Road. This is 16 minute per mile pace. All full marathon participants must past mile 11 by 8:50am which is at 15:27 mile pace. If you do not make it to Mile 11 by 8:50am then you will be re-routed to the half marathon course to the finish line.

Since roads must be reopened, race vehicles are required by the Kauai Police Department to pick up participants who fall behind the pace required to complete the first 6.9 miles. Those picked up will be shuttled to approximately mile 8.8 and their bib numbers will be documented. Full and half marathon participants will be allowed to continue from this point only, and will receive a finishers medal when they cross the finish line. However, they will not receive a finish time and will be listed as DNF (did not finish) and will not be eligible for any awards. Full marathon participants that get swept will be directed to the half marathon course at mile 11. Failure to adhere to the rules will result in immediate disqualification and ban for future races.

Are the courses “walker friendly”?

Yes, both the full and half marathon courses are walker friendly. However, there is a strict 7-hour course time limit for ALL full marathon participants. A full and half participants must pass through the tree tunnel at Mile 6.7 by 7:55am or they will get picked up by the course shuttle and brought to Omao Road. This is 16 minute per mile pace. All full marathon participants must past mile 11 by 8:50am which is at 15:27 mile pace. If you do not make it to Mile 11 by 8:50am then you will be re-routed to the half marathon course to the finish line.

Are there any age restrictions on either race?

All runners must be at least 16 years old on race day to participate in the full marathon and there are no age restrictions for the half marathon.

Can I wear headphones during the race?

We don’t recommend using any audio equipment during the half or full marathon. Both courses can be narrow and face vehicular traffic at times. If you’d like to use audio equipment, do so at your own risk.

Are strollers allowed on either the marathon or half marathon courses?

To keep all runners safe, no strollers or pets are permitted on the marathon or half marathon courses.

What type of parking is available on race day?

Parking is available on Kiahuna Plantation Drive. Please follow directions from parking volunteers.

Is there a Fun Run?

All registered runners and non-registered local residents are invited to soak in the marathon spirit by participating in an informal run on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Join this 3-mile run lead by TKM Champion Tyler McCandless, as we kick off the 2025 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon. Please meet at 7:30 am on the dirt road about a half of a mile past the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Will I receive an email confirmation after I register?

You will receive a confirmation email once the registration process is completed online. If you need another email sent, please click here.

What is the deferral policy guideline?

Deferral entries for the 2025 event are only available from July 1st until August 7th, 2025. You will receive an email with deferral instructions in late June. After August 7th, you will no longer have the option to defer and can either participate in the full or half marathon, or purchase a new registration for the 2026 event. Deferrals are valid for one year only.

Do you have a traffic advisory for race day?

Yes, the traffic advisory will be posted in our blog on the website.

Is there a time limit in which to complete the marathon and half marathon courses?

Will there be medical support available on the course and the finish line?

To keep our runners safe, we’ll have first aid available at the start line and at several aid stations on the course. We’ll also have a full medical staff at the finish line and a dedicated ambulance at several locations on the full and half marathon courses.

What Electrolyte sports drink will be offered at the aid stations?

We’ll be offering flavored Powerade at the start, finish, and aid stations.

Will there be restrooms on the courses?

Portable restrooms will be located at the start line, finish line, and at each of the aid stations along the course.

How many aid stations will there be?

The full marathon will have a total of 22 aid stations, including the start and finish. The half marathon will have a total of 9 aid stations, including the start and finish.

What if I can’t finish the race?

There will be several race vehicles along both the full and half marathon courses. If you’re unable to finish, the race vehicles will drive you back to the finish area or to the nearest aid station for medical attention, if necessary.

Is there a race expo?

Join us for The Kauai Marathon Sports and Fitness Expo on Friday, August 29, 2025 from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 9am to 4pm in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. At the Expo you’ll be able to check-in for the race, pick up race material, and purchase official gear including clothes, hats, backpacks and more.

What do I need to bring for packet pick up?

Please bring a state issued photo ID or passport to pick up your race bib and swag goodies.

Can someone pick up my race packet for me?

Yes, but you need to provide them with a signed letter stating that they can pick up your race packet, and they need to bring a copy of your state issued photo ID or passport as well.

Is there a late packet pick up after 4pm on Saturday?

Yes, race bibs and performance tees can be picked up by 7pm at the Grand Hyatt Kauai at The Kauai Marathon race office, Garden Isle room V. (down the hall from the Grand Ballroom). Please note that you can’t pick up your race packet on the morning of the race.

How can I purchase official race merchandise?

2025 race merchandise will be available at the Expo on Friday, August 29, 2025 and Saturday, August 30, 2025. All remaining merchandise will be available for purchase at the finish line.

What if I want to change from the half marathon to the full marathon or vice versa?

Once registered and confirmed, you can change from the half to the full or the full to the half for a $30 processing fee, plus any difference in entrance fee from the original fee already paid. Unfortunately there will be no refund for any difference in fees.

If I need to cancel, can I get a refund?

Once registered there will be no refunds allowed.

What is the deferral policy guideline?

Will there be medallions for all that finish the half and full marathon(s)?

All finisher’s will receive a beautiful commemorative medallion as they cross the finish line.

Will awards be presented?

Awards handmade here on Kauai will be presented to the top three female and male finishers in overall. Separate awards will also be given to the top three female and male finishers in each age group. The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 9:00am.

Will all participants receive an event tee shirt?

Yes! Each participant will receive a high quality Dri-Tech tee shirt.

I’d like to volunteer. Who should I contact?

We’d love to have you! Please email us at [email protected] for more details.

When should I arrive on Kauai?

Well, that depends on your travel distance.

If you’re coming from another Hawaiian island, we suggest you arrive on Saturday morning. This will give you time to pick up your race bag and bib, shop the expo, check-out the course, and meet other runners. Remember, there is no packet pickup on Sunday so please be sure to pick up your packet on Saturday.

If you’re coming from the mainland or abroad we suggest you arrive several days early to adjust to the weather and time change.

What if I don’t arrive on Kauai until late Saturday after the Expo is closed?

Don’t worry, your packet will be available for pickup between 4pm and 7pm on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Isle Room V (down the hall from the Grand Ballroom). Please note that you can’t pick up your race packet on the morning of the race.

I would like to arrange for a sports massage after the marathon. Who do you recommend?

You earned that massage. We recommend the Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. To schedule an appointment, please call 808-240-6440.

If weather conditions or a force majeure requires cancellation of the race due to safety concerns, 2025 race registrations will be deferred to the 2026 event as there are no refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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