Drivers should expect traffic delays and road closures on April 21 until approximately 1:30 p.m. for the 54th annual Maui Marathon, which has been shortened to a half marathon for this year.

Significant traffic delays and stops will occur, specifically on Highway 30 between Maalaea and Wailuku, from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The event has been renamed the Lahaina Town Memorial Run this year and the course starts in Kahului at the Puunene Sugar Mill at 5:30 am and ends at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu.

There will also be a 10K run/walk and 5k run/walk and those races will begin at 5:45 and 5:55 a.m., respectively, at the Maui Tropical Plantation, and then traverse towards Maalaea and then back to the plantation.

There is no full marathon this year due to the ongoing issues and recovery efforts in West Maui and to avoid disrupting or inconveniencing the Lahaina community.

The 10K and 5K events are estimated to be finished by 7:30 a.m. while the half marathon is estimated to be completed by 10:30 a.m.

Drivers, bikers and pedestrians are asked to be aware of runners, volunteers and officials on the road. Several off-duty Maui Police Department officers will be posted throughout the course directing traffic for the safety of all runners. Also, GP Roadway Solutions will cone the entire course, providing a wider area for runners and walkers.

There will be Maui police officers stationed at North Kihei Road and Highway 30, and Kuihelani Highway and Highway 30 to control traffic so participants can safely cross through those intersections.

The half-marathon runners will cross Highway 30 just north of the King Kamehameha Golf Club entrance road. An MPD officer will also be stationed at the entrance of the golf course to control vehicles coming in and out, which will result in some delays.

Officers will also be at Maalaea Road and Hauoli Street. Maalaea Road will be completely closed from Highway 30 to Hauoli Street.

Vehicles will be able to enter from the traffic light by Carl’s Jr. to the parking lot for the Maui Ocean Center, Starbucks, and the boat areas. For those living on Hauoli Street along Haycraft Park, race organizers recommend that they allow extra time to get to the airport and/or scheduled activities that morning.

Though Hauoli Street will remain open to traffic, the safety of runners will be most important. Roughly 800 half-marathon runners will be running down to Haycraft Park and then back the length of Hauoli Street on race day.

The most congestion on the road is expected to be from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Drivers and bystanders should expect to see numerous runners on the roadways in Central Maui wearing red in honor, respect, and love for those affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires.