2022 Kona Marathon Race Update: COVID

RACE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Aloha Kona Marathon Running ‘Ohana,

First of all, we appreciate your incredible support of the event and your interest in the Kona Marathon.

We hope all of you are well and adjusting as we continue to recover and emerge from the last two years of COVID-19. As you may already know, the state of Hawaii has taken longer than other states to make significant changes with its COVID-19 emergency proclamation expiring on March 25^th.

While we have been working towards putting on a June 2022 event, the short time frame facing the event including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on travel, permitting, expenses, volunteer groups, etc. in Hawaii and Japan has propelled us to postpone Kona Marathon until next June.
We will continue to provide you with updates moving towards a race date on the weekend of June 23-25, 2023. We look forward to providing you with a safe and rewarding experience in 2023.

Stay safe and healthy! Like you, we are eager to get the Kona Marathon back on the road.
Mahalo,
Kona Marathon Team

The 2021 UCC Coffee Kona Marathon Race Date Update

RACE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Aloha Kona Marathon Running ʻOhana,

We hope you are all well and have adjusted to the COVID-19 situation in your community. We want to reach out periodically throughout this waiting game with updates as we receive relevant news.=

New Dates for the UCC Hawaii Kona Marathon

We continue to be respectful of your health and financial risks in determining a course of action moving forward.

While it¹s true that COVID-19 related conditions seem to be improving in various spots around the country, we as a state, county, organization, group of sponsors, and community of runners simply cannot guarantee the safe and rewarding experience that you deserve at this time.

We have made the difficult decision to postpone the June 2021 event to June 25-26, 2022.

Planning for 2022

We will continue to have an ongoing dialogue with key partners, including state and county officials, and will provide you with updates as they become available.

Look out for regular emails with the latest news and updates about the UCC Hawaii Kona Marathon and the changing situation on Hawaii Island.

Stay safe and healthy, socially distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands!

We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Hawaiian shores in 2022.

Mahalo,
Brent Imonen
Race Director
Kona Marathon

2020 Cancellation Update

RACE UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The 2020 UCC Coffee Kona Marathon is CANCELLED!
It’s safe to say that over the past 26 years the Kona Marathon has had its share of challenges, dealing with location and course changes, volcanic eruptions, and tropical storms. However, it’s clear that over the past several weeks this hasn’t been anyone’s typical spring.

We appreciate the recent emails inquiring about the status of this year’s UCC COFFEE KONA MARATHON races. Initially we had hoped that the June race date would be unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis allowing all of you to travel and train safely leading up to the event. Most recently our state has extended its “Stay at Home” guidelines and tourism restrictions through the end of May. We have been watching the effects of COVID-19 globally, monitoring the travel restrictions to Hawaii, self-quarantine requirements, the economic impact, and county road use policies. Without clarity regarding what lies ahead for events greater than 10 people in Hawaii and abroad, we have come to a consensus.

Sadly, given the inability to run a mass start event in the present conditions, and travel restrictions like Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors, a decision was made to cancel the 2020 UCC COFFEE KONA MARATHON. All existing registrants will be deferred to the 2021 UCC COFFEE KONA MARATHON (tentative date is June 20, 2021)!

We understand that you are likely disappointed, like us. This was not an easy decision, but we are looking forward to shifting gears to creatively start planning for a fabulous 2021 event experience.
Take care of yourselves, physically and emotionally. We urge you to stay connected to our running community and keep moving.
Mahalo,
Kona Marathon Team

2017 Kona Marathon Events – Race Recap

2017 Kona Marathon Race Recap Sunday morning June 25th, my first quarter marathon. Yes, I have done hundreds of marathons, but it’s been a while since I ran one and I’ve never done a Quarter Marathon. So, grateful the Kona Marathon Events offers not only a Quarter, but a 5K, Half and Full Marathon. Could I have done the half or the full? Sure. But I really wanted to be there to cheer on the other runners and interview the winners of the half and full. In addition, my training has not been quite up to speed, so this was perfect. The start line is about 1 mile from the host Hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa. I just want to point out that the hotel is fabulous. Here are a few pictures of how amazing it is:

The start line is near the Queens Market Place and there was a shuttle from the hotel to take you to the start. Of course, I woke up late and ended up running to the start line and wasting half my energy. Good job Julie. All I can say is, thank goodness for the UCC Kona Coffee that was waiting for me at the start line. Other than my tardiness it was a magical start to the race. As the sun rose up over the mountains, Miss UCC Kona Coffee was there to add to the beauty and I was there to get it on video and capture all the exciting faces and spirits ready to run. I met a new friend, Megan, who was also running the quarter. She turned out to be quite the speed demon and in my age group.

I also met many friends at the Health & Fitness Fair on Saturday at the Hilton when they stopped by the Project Purple table. So many people have been affected by pancreatic cancer. I was very grateful to be out there doing my part, advocating for a cure and representing the nations largest pancreatic cancer running charity. A huge mahalo to everyone who used the discount code KMGODDESS and especially the Kona Marathon for donating $1,160 to Project Purple. You were the runners who made it possible. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. We are in this together.

We even brought darling Amelia, my Grandbaby to help represent.

The finish line was beautiful, my husband David and volunteers helped decorate it, complete with flowers, local ferns and love. The finish line food was in abundance as was the aloha spirit of the Big Island of Hawaii.

After the race my husband went back to the hotel to enjoy all it’s beauty, the pools with the family, the waterfalls, did some paddling with the baby and got caught in a wave. I can’t wait until next year’s 25th Anniversary of the Kona Marathon, June 24, 2018. Not sure how it will top this year, but excited to find out and so should you be. Join me in Hawaii for a “runcation” and use the KMGODDESS coupon code when you register to receive $10 off your Marathon or Half Marathon entry fee or $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Plus, the Kona Marathon Events will match those amounts in a donation to Project Purple at the end of the event. A hui hou . . . . . see you next June, Julie xo Marathon Goddess

Follow me on Facebook page for Updates Join me June 24th, 2018 and remember to use Discount Code KMGODDESS – Click here to Register

Your Next Run Vacation. The Kona Marathon June 25, 2017!

Kona Marathon Events on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii is coming up. There are so many reasons to come and do this race, I don’t even know where to begin. But I will start with the obvious, it’s in Hawaii! The race takes place in The Waikoloa Beach Resort and has the most amazing host hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The views are breathtaking and the restaurants are delicious.

My favorite is the brunch. I think I ate there every day especially the day after the marathon when I may have eaten everything! The hotel is kid friendly, I even took my Grandbaby along for the ride.

Speaking of ride, they have a boat ride and a monorail that goes through the hotel and takes you to your room – for free!

You are surrounded by lagoons, dolphins, pools and waterslides. You really don’t even need to go anywhere. But I do recommend getting a car and doing some sight-seeing, for instance going to see the lava eruptions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I could go on and on, but let me tell you about the Marathon. ☺

The new course just keeps getting better and better. There is more shade and they have water misters along the race course which keeps you nice and cool. Love running through them, it’s so much fun. The Aid Stations are plentiful, stocked with hydration, ice, lots of volunteer smiles and aloha spirit. Also a great place to get your 50th state, or if you are on your journey to 50 as so many Marathon Maniacs are. Pictured below is my dear Rock Star friend Mark Kramer, who finished his 50th state at the 2015 Kona Marathon. It was an honor to cross the finish line with him.

There is a race for everyone. On June 17th they have the Aloha Keiki Run for kids ages 1 to 15 at the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua.

On race day June 25, they have a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and a 5K and guess what? I have a DISCOUNT code for you! When you register, and use the code KMGODDESS you will save $10 off the full marathon or half marathon and $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Every time the code is used the Kona Marathon will graciously donate an amount equal to the discount to Project Purple to help cure Pancreatic Cancer. It’s a Win Win!!!

Have I mentioned the coffee yet? As if you needed another reason to come and do this race, here it is. UCC Kona Coffee is the title sponsor of Kona Marathon Events. My absolute favorite! 100% Kona Coffee. Rich and delicious. Plus it makes you run faster. 😉

This will be my 6th year returning to the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. It was number 11 in my 2013 magical journey of 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer. I always say, “Number 11, like running in heaven” and it truly is. Come visit my booth at the Health and Fitness Fair on Saturday, June 24 at the Hilton Convention Center.

I am very grateful to be a Kona Marathon Ambassador. It is an honor to represent a marathon truly embracing that Aloha Spirit. I hope you will join me June 25, 2017. Come out and let your Aloha Spirit SHINE and I will see you at the finish line. Register here: www.konamarathon.com.

We Got This!- Julie xo

A Big Mahalo to the Amazing Sponsors:

Originally posted at http://marathongoddess.com/your-next-run-vacation-the-kona-marathon-june-25-2017/

Bhutan – The “Happiness Kingdom” – A magical place

I have just returned from visiting the illusive kingdom of the ‘Thunder Dragon’ for Kona Marathon’s sister marathon, the Bhutan Marathon. What an incredible journey and life renewing experience.

Bhutan is a small country nestled in between China and India in the Himalayas. A land of high mountains and deep valleys, where compassion and wisdom are the benchmark against which all things are measured, and where the King rules by ‘Gross National Happiness’.

The 4th Bhutan Marathon had 490 participants coming together from all over the world. The 2018, March 3 event will have a cap of 750 with 500 slots for runners from other countries. 250 of those slots have been given to the Sister Marathon Peace Initiative Tour and they will go quickly. 7 days/6 nights Feb 28 – March 6, 2018.

I found a place I will never forget, people who will remain my friends for life, and was given the opportunity to visit a country that has been lost in time that welcomed me with open arms.

Most of the course follows the river, on roads through the beautiful countryside, with some off road. Plus, the course runs across a suspension bridge above the wide river roaring below you. The children came out to join in and run along with you as the local people cheer you along your way. The Finish Line was at the picturesque Punakha Fortress and temple. With a beautiful award celebration in the evening under the stars with cultural dancing, local food and a beautiful bon fire.

The beauty of this race is not only in the amazing countryside but in the people’s true love of country and their unending joy of life.

The Sister Marathon World Peace Initiative Tour Package provided everything we needed for our mystical adventure:

Round trip airfare from Bangkok to Bhutan’s only International Airport in the village of Paro
Bhutan Country visa for your 6 night 7 day stay
Entry fee into the Marathon or Half Marathon
Accommodations in 4 Star hotels in three different villages.
3 healthy, delicious and plentiful meals a day (B,L, & D)
Several tours to chose from – included in each location
All transfers and luggage portage
Comfortable small buses to travel in
Experienced English speaking guides sharing their deep knowledge ensuring an authentic experience that was enriching and enlightening with their country’s history, culture and treasures.

A trek to the wondrous “Tigers Nest” Monastery in Paro was a life changing experience in of itself, and to be invited into scared temples with Golden Buddha’s and art work hundreds of years old was awe inspiring. In the capital city of Thimphu, seeing a “Wonder of the World” – a 167 ft tall bronze Buddha overlooking the city way way below was breathtaking to behold.

Bhutan is one of the most isolated places in the world. A beautiful hidden treasure where the richness of its simplicity was a welcoming surprise. Unlike any place I have been before. A “must” event to put on your list of “very special” places to travel to.

March 3, 2018 Information and registration: https://sistermarathons.org

Video of 2017 event:

Contact for more detailed information: contact@sistermarathons.org

Photos and video by: Luis Escobar

We Ran the Rock! Kona Marathon 2015

We Ran the Rock!!!

Upon arrival into The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort, I was excited to see the Queens MarketPlace. A beautifully landscaped village with shops galore, eateries and more. Lush trees and gardens lined the streets which made me even more excited to know we would be running through there.

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 6.22.43 PM

We arrived at The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort and I can’t say enough nice things about it. They just placed number 4 on Travel & Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best list for Family Travel. I can see why, first off, it was BIG, like amusement park big. There were dolphins, a giant lagoon that fed into the ocean, water slides, pools, boats, even a monorail, yes you read that right. Even with the magnitude of this hotel, everything was centrally located and easy to get to. Ancient artifacts decorated the hallways within the hotel, it was like walking through a museum.

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 6.48.23 PM

The EXPO

This was one of the BEST expos I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot). The expo was located at the convention center at the The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort , it overlooked the waterfall on the lagoon, it was breathtaking.

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.03.04 PM

Everything was so well organized, the vendors were great, including UCC Coffee, the best Kona coffee ever.

UCC

The Big Island Running Company was there and even gave me a purple shirt. Here I am representing in Santa Monica:

Run ALoha

Also, The Kona Marathon running logo apparel was so hot they sold out within a few hours. However, you can still get the Kona Marathon Towel with your name on it (if you registered before June 12), click here: Kona Marathon Towel

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You could feel the excitement and Aloha Spirit in the air. It was an honor to represent Project Purple, the Nations Top Pancreatic Cancer Running Charity, Essence Water ph10, Worlds Best Alkaline Water, and take Goddess Pose photo’s with so many friends in front of the Kona Marathon Start Line Back Drop.

Bioastin:Essence

KONa

Race Day

Race morning we could feel it was going to be a hot one, that’s ok by me, it just means HYDRATE, adjust your pace and have FUN! And that’s exactly what we did.

The race volunteers were there in abundance, greeting you with their warm Aloha spirit, smiles, water, GU Hydration drink and Ice. We may have poured more ice and water on our heads, than in our mouth. I ran with Mark Kramer, Brian Salm and Cheryl Baumann. They are all fellow marathon maniacs and Mark and Cheryl were both finishing their 50^th state. We all ran together for a while, making the miles fly by (even if we were baking on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway). We knew the ocean was waiting for us we could see it in the distance. Plus running on part of the World Championship Ironman bike course really made you feel like a Bad Ass

Baking

We finished hand in hand and although it wasn’t our fastest, it was definitely very meaningful, both Mark and I have lost a parent to pancreatic cancer. We were grateful to be there together on his special day. We had so much fun, helped each other when we struggled and brought it home smiling from ear to ear.

Finish

After we finished we celebrated at the Legends of Hawaii Luau at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, where David and I did our Honeymoon dance

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Dancing

I am so happy that I will be returning next year, which will make it my 5^th year at the Kona Marathon. I am beyond blessed and truly love the New Kona Marathon venue. I hope you will join us in paradise at the 2016 Kona Marathon, June 26.

Aloha and until we meet again a hui hou.

Medal

Registration code now available for the 2016 Kona Marathon, use code KMGODDESS and save $10 off early registration prices. Win Win!!! Register here

Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 8.50.22 PM

This Kona Marathon was dedicated to Beverly, who loved Hawaii and lost her life way to young from pancreatic cancer. We must find a cure!!! We Got This! Click here to make a donation to Project Purple to help: DONATE

beverly

Exciting things happening at the 2015 Kona Marathon

As the Kona Marathon gets closer, the more excited I get. I wanted to share just a few more of the amazing highlights of the Kona Marathon with you.

Let’s hear it for the new course! The 2015 Kona Marathon will be located at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast. The race will start and finish at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queen’s Garden. The Marathon course has some moderate hills, never exceeding 290 feet above sea level with gentle climbs and drops. That sounds great to me!

I will be running with one of my good friends, fellow Marathon Maniac, Mark Kramer, who I met on my journey of 52. Sadly he lost his mother to pancreatic cancer. We are brother and sister in Arms. This year he will be finishing his 50th state with his good friend at the Kona Marathon. The 3 of us will run together, estimating about a 4:30 finish, but more importantly, crossing the finish line all holding hands, signifying that you can do anything you put your mind too, anything is possible, including finding a cure for pancreatic cancer!

What do you do when you are not running? You shop and eat of course. There is a fun family life style resort destination shopping experience with something for everyone called The Queens’ MarketPlace within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. With an exciting collection of boutiques, galleries, shops and services, plus a delightfully diverse Ono Food Court, upscale restaurants and a full schedule of free Hawaiian cultural activities and entertainment. E ‘Ai Kākou! (Let’s Eat!)

After the marathon at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Host Hotel, is The Big Island Luau. How fun, right? We will go there to celebrate so many things like Mark’s 50th state, My Honeymoon and seriously, just being alive. I’ve heard it’s an exhilarating experience, under a magical Hawaiian night-sky and swaying palms, featuring exotic dance, music and entertainment for the whole family with hula & fire dancers and a lavish Hawaiian buffet. E ‘Ai Kākou! (Let’s Eat!)

This year I will be representing Project Purple! Grateful my running continues to help the fight against pancreatic cancer with this amazing charity so close to my heart, whose motto is “Running to Beat Pancreatic Cancer!” Please Click here to make a Donation.

Click here to register for the 2015 Kona Marathon

Remember to use code KMGODDESS to save!

Looking forward to seeing you in the Land of Aloha! xo

Julie
We Got This!!

Eleven Great Reasons To Be Excited

By Julie Weiss – Marathon Goddess

I am so excited to be heading back to the Kona Marathon for the 3rd consecutive year. Kona was number 11 in my journey of “52 marathons in 52 weeks “ to fight pancreatic cancer. Since it was number 11, I am going to give you 11 reasons to run this race. My particular favorite, Number 11 was like running in Heaven.

Okay, the real obvious reason is the race is in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Even if you did not train well enough and didn’t quite have the race you wanted, when you finish, you are in Hawaii. Right? Enjoy it.
There is something for everyone, The Kona Marathon, Kona Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K, so bring the whole family.
Clean air. I just enjoy the air quality in Kona with views that will inspire you. Also, the friendly, fun Marathon volunteers and staff are great with the beautiful Aloha Spirit.
The Kona Marathon has been rated #1 Marathon in the State of Hawaii by TripAdvisor.
The Kona Marathon is sponsored by UCC Coffee. Best coffee on the planet and it will make you run faster, guarantee.
This year the race will take place at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kona/ Kohala Coast.
David and I will be celebrating our honeymoon there, come join us in our bliss.
Save $10 on your registration Half or Full, using code KMGODDESS www.konamarathon.com.
The Host Hotel, The Hilton Waikoloa is offering discounted room rates for the dates of June 23 – July 3, 2015 based on availability. Book Here : Hilton Village – Runners Rates
This could be you enjoying the Waikoloa Beach Resort  after participating in the Kona Marathon Events in Hawaii.
The Marathon, Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon runners will continue onto the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the famous Lava Fields of Kona, running a portion of the famous Ironman World Championship bike route before returning to the Waikoloa Beach Resort and the welcoming throng of spectators at the finish line.

We Got This- Aloha Style!

30 Days of Hope

With Thanksgiving in the air, on a daily basis, through my running, I have found new reasons to give thanks. Running has taught me many things about life. Someone once said when you have your health you have everything.

November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. I knew I needed to do something more to help raise awareness. For the past 30 days, I have spent each day with someone who is either a survivor or lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer, with my new campaign called 30 Days of Hope. Through this journey, being with people who have been affected by this disease has caused me to think about how precious life is. How important it is to do what you love and be with the ones you love. Be thankful that you can run even the distances you can. Most people can not go that far.

Having a goal of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or a Full Marathon is an amazing healthy goal. That is why I love the Kona Marathon. You are surrounded by the Aloha Spirit and let’s face it, when you finish the Kona Marathon you are in Kona, Hawaii and it doesn’t get much better then that.

Hope to see you there.

Aloha, Julie

For additional information on the Kona Marathon Events please visit konamarathon.com