If ever there was a paradise-like environment in which to stage a half-marathon road race, Maui’s western coast certainly fills the bill, with wind-swept coastal roads that offer stunningly beautiful views of the brilliant blue water along Maui’s Auau Channel, tree-lined coastal roads and the feel of old Hawaii as runners make their way through the historic whaling village of Lahaina.

The annual Maui Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K and provides all these and more, along a course that features a fast and flat route that never rises higher than 50 feet above sea level throughout the entire half marathon course.

Runners and walkers (the race is open to both) start their race at the Whalers Village in the Kaanapali Resort on Maui’s western coast and head out along an out-and-back course that takes them southward through the resort along the Honoapiliani Highway, starting first through the golf course inside the resort.

After the first couple of miles along the highway, with the ocean over their right shoulder as they make their way south, runners then head onto Front Street, which takes them through Lahaina, passing the Lahaina Cannery and the Whaler’s Market Place on their way through town.

After the stretch that runs through town, participants re-join the highway from Pualei Drive and run along the coast until they reach the half-marathon turnaround point just below Launiupoko State Park.

From the turnaround at the park, runners then head back northward along the exact course they’ve just run, all the way back to the finish line at the Whalers Village at the Kaanapali Resort, and get a chance to take in all of the views they’ve just run through a second time on the way back.

For runners who find themselves unable to complete the race, organizers will provide vehicles along the course to pick them up. Those participating in the half are encouraged to finish their race within 4 hours; while there is no official time limit for the half, there is an 8-hour time limit to complete the full marathon.

Important:

04-22-2023, 05:00 am - 01:00 pm