This was my 60th marathon. You might think that as a seasoned runner I’d have experienced it all and know exactly what to expect, but this race felt like my very first marathon.
Arrival in Maui
We arrived in Maui on Thursday evening after a 13.5-hour flight. I was coming down with a cold, so instead of my usual glass of red wine, I was chugging water—a rare occurrence for me! After picking up a rental car and stopping at Safeway for essentials, we headed to the house we rented. I couldn’t wait for the sun to rise and reveal the breathtaking views I’d seen online.

Waking up in Hawaii is indescribable. The sunrise painted the mountains with shades of orange, and the vibrant greens of the landscape blended beautifully with colorful flowers. Our house was perched on a mountain, offering a panoramic view of the ocean on one side and majestic peaks on the other.
Race Bib Pickup
On Friday, we drove to South Kihei to pick up our race bibs at the condo of Les Wright, the race director. We’d met Les previously at the Napa Marathon expo and found him to be a friendly, approachable man. His instructions for bib pickup were thorough—he’d sent multiple detailed emails to ensure everyone knew exactly what to do.
Here’s a snippet from his “Nag for Friday Registration Summary”:
Park on the street or in the strip mall across the way.
Use restrooms near the lifeguard stand.
Enter the property from the south driveway (don’t bother the resort office).
Look up your race number on a sticky note at the U-Haul van.
Head to Unit 28 to collect your bib and license plate holder.
Drop off any beer/wine bribes or penalties.
Pick up your shirt downstairs.
Optional: Buy a poster, hat, or leftover gear from past races.
Rent a headlamp for $10 (a must for marathoners).
Take off your shoes and walk the beaches.
Take off your clothes and swim.
Have fun on Maui!
The “expo” was unlike any other—informal and held at his beachfront condo. Neighbors must have been incredibly tolerant of this setup! After collecting our items, we headed out to enjoy the rest of our day.
Race Morning
We woke at 1:00 a.m. to leave by 2:00 a.m., driving to the finish line in Lahaina to catch a bus to the starting point in Wailea. The bus ride was filled with seasoned marathoners and members of the 50 States Marathon Club. The camaraderie was palpable as people shared stories of ultra-runs and milestone races.
Upon arrival, we walked through a courtyard to a dark parking lot where Les was standing in his pickup truck, giving announcements. Local Hawaiians performed a traditional blessing ceremony, complete with Tiki torches and the haunting sounds of conch shells to send off the early starters.
Les called out special milestones, including birthdays and runners completing their 50th state. When we told him we were on our honeymoon, he announced it to the crowd, earning us cheers and a place at the front of the start line. A humorous moment ensued when feedback from his microphone mimicked the conch shells, causing premature starts. Eventually, the real signal came, and we were off—headlamps lighting our way through the darkness.

The Course
I would divide the marathon into three sections:
The Dark Section: Running in the pitch-black early hours was a unique challenge. Roads were closed initially, with Tiki torches marking speed bumps. Later, we ran on the shoulder as traffic passed, guided by cones every few steps. The ocean, illuminated by the full moon, provided a stunning backdrop.
The Hills: This segment reminded me of the Big Sur Marathon—rolling hills with ocean views and opportunities to spot whales (though I didn’t see any). The tunnel carved through a mountain added an element of excitement. By now, the sun had risen, and we dropped our headlamps at a water stop.
The Long, Hot Straightaway: Dubbed “Death Valley” by locals, this stretch was brutal. The heat became oppressive, and we began incorporating walk breaks. The course became crowded near the half-marathon turnaround point, forcing us to dodge walkers and traffic. The lack of water stops in this section added to the challenge.
The Finish
With three miles to go, Kim developed severe calf cramps. We walked most of the remaining distance, his pain visible with each step. Just as we approached the finish line, his legs locked up completely. I put my arms around him, and together, we crossed the line with smiles for the cameras.
At the finish, medics noticed Kim’s distress and took him to the medical tent. He received an IV after struggling with severe dehydration, likely exacerbated by the long travel and time zone changes. The care team worked wonders, and Kim eventually recovered, joking about sitting on an ice pack for an hour.
Lessons Learned
This marathon taught me that even experienced runners have more to learn. Next time, I’ll prepare better for time changes and carry additional hydration. Starting electrolytes earlier in the race might have helped Kim avoid cramping.
Post-Marathon Adventures
The following morning, Kim’s recovery was evident when he suggested a trail run at Mount Haleakalā. While we laughed at the idea, his spirit of adventure won out, and the views from 10,000 feet were worth it. Honeymooning in Hawaii—with a marathon in the mix—was an unforgettable experience.
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