Maui Marathon modified for 2024, to honor fire victims

Full marathon canceled, other races still on

The Maui News

The impact of the Aug. 8 wildfires in Lahaina and Kula has led to the cancellation of the 54th annual Maui Marathon, officials announced via news release on Tuesday. The road race day will operate as the Lahaina Town Memorial Run to honor the lives lost and those displaced during the fires.

Instead, on April 21, the 26.2-mile run that historically stretches from Puunene to Kaanapali will host a new route and include only the half marathon, 10-kilometer run/walk, and 5K run/walk.

The start/finish line for the two shortest distances will be the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu. The rerouted half marathon will start from the Sugar Mill in Puunene and finish at the Maui Tropical Plantation.

New course maps have been uploaded to the race website -- mauimarathon.com -- and parking/shuttle information has also been updated.

"The past six months have been an unimaginable challenge for Lahaina residents who experienced so much devastation and loss," race director Jim Lynch said in a news release. "Out of respect and love for the Lahaina community, we made a decision to move the 2024 event from the west side to the Maui Tropical Plantation to avoid any disruption or inconvenience to Lahaina as the community heals. We believe it is the right thing to do."

Race T-shirts and medals will display a logo showing support and love for Lahaina, and Lynch said the 2024 Maui Marathon is dedicating this year's event to Lahaina. All runners will participate in a special memorial as they enter the finish area.

"We hope the community will come out in force and participate in this year's event," Lynch said. "Witnessing a sea of red runners running throughout Kahului, Maalaea, and Waikupu will be a beautiful tribute to Lahaina."

The news release said the Maui Marathon Committee is disappointed in having to omit the 26.2-mile race, but the full marathon was not feasible this year due to the fires that affected several miles of the course. After months of planning a reroute to avoid cancellation, the committee secured an agreement with the Maui Tropical Plantation to use the grounds for the event.

However, due to the heavy traffic on Honoapiilani Highway, specifically through a 5-mile stretch of the "Pali," the updated out-and-back route for the full marathon was deemed unsafe. In addition, with the ongoing issues in Lahaina, the Maui Police Department is stretched thin and does not have sufficient officer resources to support that particular route safely, the news release said.

This Lahaina Town Memorial Run can be done virtually or on the race day, the news release said.

To date, the Maui Marathon has received over $30,000 in donations from runners all over the world, the news release said, with all proceeds passed on to either the Maui Food Bank, Hawai'i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund, or Maui Humane Society based on their choosing.

The half marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. at the Puunene Sugar Mill--the 10K is slated to start at 5:45 a.m. and the 5K at 5:55 a.m. at the same start/finish area at the Tropical Plantation.

There will be packet pickups on April 19, from noon to 6 p.m. and on April 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tropical Plantation, which is located at 1670 Highway 30. Packets include a red T-shirt, red bag, red collapsible reusable HyrdaPak Speedcup, and race bib with timing chip attached.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to wear their red gear during this year's event in honor and support of the Lahaina community. In an effort to reduce waste on Maui, the Maui Marathon will again be using the HydraPak SpeedCup instead of paper cups on the course.

Refunds for full marathon entry fees will be available by March 31, the news release said. Entries can also be converted to a different race distance, if the runner chooses.

If applicable, a refund of the difference in current registration rates will be provided, or you can donate the difference to one of the recommended charities.

To make changes or to request a refund, email registration@mauimarathon.com.

The Maui Marathon is presented by the Valley Isle Road Runners and is sponsored by Southwest, HydraPak, Hawai'i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program, the Maui County Council, Kaanapali Beach Resort, Kaanapali Beach Hotel Association, and Maui County Office of Economic Development.

For more information, visit mauimarathon.com or email racedirector@mauimarathon.com.