History

The Maui Marathon will celebrate its 37th anniversary on September 16, 2007 yet many do not realize that this event is the longest consecutively held running event in the state of Hawaii.

Not only that, it has been chosen as one of the top 10 Most Scenic Marathons in the nation by Runner's World magazine (Feb. 96), and the #10 destination marathon in North America, by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons.

Though small in comparison to the world-famous Honolulu Marathon, the Maui Marathon has developed a reputation over the years as a quality running event. This is due in great part to the many volunteers and community support generated, year after year, for this charity fund-raising running event.

Many Hawaii runners know that the Maui Marathon is one of the three oldest marathons west of the Mississippi River. What most people don't know is that the Maui Marathon originated on Oahu in the early 1940s. At that time the event was known as the Hawaiian A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union) Marathon. During the 30s and 40s, Hawaii's top runner was Norman Tamanaha, who competed successfully on the mainland and was considered one of America's top marathon athletes.

Tamanaha's dream of Olympic competition was cut short by World War II. He subsequently became a top coach and race organizer. Some time before 1971 he convinced the newly-formed Valley Isle Road Runners to bring the event to Maui. In 1971, Oahu runner Johnny Faerber was the winner of the inaugural Norman Tamanaha Marathon.

Between 1985 and 1993 the participation levels were down, again following the national trend. Since late '93, there has been a general resurgence in long distance running which may, in part, explain a dramatic increase in participants since 1995. In 1995, there were 574 participants, 1996, 920 participants, 1997, 1289 participants, 1314 in 1998, 2074 in 1999, 2601 in 2000 and 2717 in 2001!

In 2002, the event shifted to a fall date, typically a slow time for tourism in the islands. Over 2,300 registered for the marathon and it's inaugural fall date of September 22nd, and though many were concerned about the heat, light tradewinds and 6 tons of ice kept all participants cooled down through the final miles. Kalid Abdallah, originally from Somalia running in his first ever marathon completed the distance 28 seconds off the course and race record in a time of 2:19:50. The change to a fall date seemed to be a winning time for all participants with several age group records broken and many PR's run by some of the regulars.

The 2003 event realized a further decline from Hawaii runners as well as from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's, " Team in Training". With the addition of a half marathon and a stronger Japanese economy, 2004 proved to be a record year with a combined 2,801 participating. Based on the successes of the Inaugural Maui Half Marathon, we decided to increase the field for the popular half marathon distance and in 2005 over 1,400 participated with over 1,700 in the full marathon.

Though registration was slow early on in 2006, the half marathon sold out before the event with over 1,525 participating. A similar number is expected in 2007.

The increase in the number of participants in 2005 and 2006 was fueled primarily by Japanese participants with 74 participating in 2004, increasing to 183 in 2005 and 225 in 2006. We anticipate this trend to continue and are certain to sell out much earlier in the half marathon this year.

During the past twelve years the Maui Marathon has been fortunate in receiving financial support from Japanese sponsors. Runner's Inc., the premiere running publication of Japan. As part of their sponsorship package, they require that a percentage of their sponsorship be donated to a local charity, and that the marathon organizers work to further enhance their charity efforts.

Through a variety of fund raising efforts beginning in 1995, the Maui Marathon has raised over $300,000 for Maui based non-profits.

It is interesting to note that in spite of several race course changes over the 37 years, Whalers Village shopping center in Kaanapali Resort has been the finish line in all but one year!

In 1979, the race tried an "out and back" course starting and finishing at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. The turn around point was in Paia and the race proved unsatisfactory compared to the Kahului/Kaanapali point-to-point course. New for 1995 was a departure from the West Maui cane road to a welcome diversion down the length of Front Street in Lahaina Town. This saved the runners a late-race grueling up hill as well as brought the race further into the public spotlight, something everyone continues to enjoy to this day.

In 1983 the starting line was changed to the Maui Mall where it remained until 1996, when it moved to the newly renovated Queen Ka'ahumanu Center.

Thousands of colorful athletes and personalities have participated in this event over the years and look forward to it with each coming spring. It is the Valley Isle Road Runners who have worked with the Maui community to keep this extraordinary celebration of fitness alive and thriving.

The Valley Isle Road Runners Association is especially thankful to the marathon's sponsors including The Westin Maui, our "Headquarters Hotel", Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, Whalers Village, Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Hanes Printables, The Hawaii Tourism Authority, Maui Soda and Ice Works, Maui County, the Maui Visitors Bureau and Maui Tacos.