2017 Kona Marathon – 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.

It was now time to start the Quarter Marathon. It wasn’t too hot since the race starts nice and early and they have water misters to run through on the race course and I took full advantage of each one. The volunteers were out in force. Very grateful to see their smiling faces and aloha spirit. I bought some new shoes to give me that extra pep, but the only pep seemed to be coming from the UCC coffee I drank before the race. My shoes felt like I was running in snow boots. Good thing I was doing the Quarter. I tried running in the Hooka shoes for a few reasons, one because they were purple and two because I really thought they would be the perfect ones. Yeah, maybe if I want to climb a volcano but not run a fast race. I still ended up 3rd in my Age Group with a 10:20 pace. I will take it, since it was my first Quarter Marathon, that’s an instant PR, right? Don’t answer that. My friend won 3rd FOA and 1st AG. Maybe one day I will too.

The winners of the Half were Christopher Rayder 1:17 and Holly Ballenger with a 1:35. The winners of the Full were Kentaro Mesuda, 2:52 and Bree Wee, 3:08. I caught up with Bree after the race and was so honored to meet her, I could barely ask any questions, I was so nervous, but she was super nice and gracious.

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.

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

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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:

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Exciting Things Happening at the 2015 Kona Marathon!

As the Kona Marathon get’s closer, the more excited I get. I wanted to share just a few more of the amazing highlights of the Kona Marathon with you: 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. 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, who’s 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 June 28th! xo Julie We Got This!!

Hawaii Archives - Marathon Goddess