PO‘IPU — Among the field of runners for this year’s Kaua‘i Marathon will be Julie Weiss —also known as the Marathon Goddess. Wiess will be running the event as part of her mission to run 52 marathons in one year,
PO‘IPU — Among the field of runners for this year’s Kaua‘i Marathon will be Julie Weiss —also known as the Marathon Goddess.
Wiess will be running the event as part of her mission to run 52 marathons in one year, or a marathon a week in what she describes as “52 for You,” states a Kaua‘i Marathon news release.
Weiss’s purpose is to bring awareness while raising $1 million for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Her father, Maurice, passed away from pancreatic cancer in December 2010, just one week before Julie qualified to run the Boston Marathon.
Her dad was her biggest fan and as she crossed the finish line, both hands up and fingers pointing to the sky, she knew her father was there cheering.
“Through my love of running, my love of life and my love for my father, I plan to raise hope, money and awareness to the world for those who have been affected by pancreatic cancer,” Weiss said in the release. “Focusing on nutrition, exercise and peace of mind are all components to maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well.”
To date, Wiess has raised more than $105,000.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and research is underfunded, a reason Wiess chose to fight this disease.
Hawai‘i also has a special place in her heart.
“I always feel at home when I am on Kaua‘i, the spirit and people, the relaxing nature and peacefulness of it,” said the marathoner. “It just feels like where I belong.”
Wiess is not new to marathons, having run her first race at the Los Angeles Marathon in 2008 — where she did not have fun because of some beginner mistakes.
Her second race came a few months later and she enjoyed it. With new goals and 25 marathons under her belt, Wiess is running for a cause — to end pancreatic cancer.
Visit www.marathongoddess.com for more information on Weiss’s mission to end pancreatic cancer.
The deadline for registering for the fourth is Aug. 29 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
The marathon is scheduled for Sept. 2 starting at 6 a.m. on Po‘ipu Road fronting the Po‘ipu Shopping Village for both half-marathon and marathon participants.
Race packets, bibs and participant bags must be picked up at the Sports and Fitness Expo at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa on Aug. 31 or Sept. 1.
Visit www.thekauaimarathon.com for more information, or to register for the fourth annual Kaua‘i Marathon.
