POIPU — The Kauai Marathon is hosting several complimentary events that are available to the community over Labor Day weekend. The Sports and Fitness Expo opens its doors at The Grand Hyatt Kauai Grand Ballroom at 10 a.m. Friday. Logoed
POIPU — The Kauai Marathon is hosting several complimentary events that are available to the community over Labor Day weekend.
The Sports and Fitness Expo opens its doors at The Grand Hyatt Kauai Grand Ballroom at 10 a.m. Friday. Logoed marathon merchandise, as well as several other active lifestyle vendors from Kauai, the outer islands as well as the Mainland will be on hand to share their products and services.
On Friday, veteran runner, Runner’s World Ambassador and Kauai Marathon Host Bart Yasso is available at the expo from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to sign autographs, discuss race strategies and talk story. “Ultra Marathon Man” Dean Karnazes and Kauai Marathon host will be at the expo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Karnazes completed 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Ranked by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Karnazes is an advocate for healthy, active living. He has run everything from a 135-mile ultra marathon across Death Valley, California, in 120-degree heat to a marathon on the South Pole in negative 40-degree temperatures.
Yasso is a veteran marathoner, having worked with Runner’s World Magazine since 1987. Yasso has completed races on all seven continents, as well as five Ironmans and the Badwater Ultramarathon through Death Valley. He is the author of “My Life on the Run” and has been inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions.
There are also complimentary presentations that are open to the public and are in Grand Ballroom 1 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
At noon Friday, Coach Gary Westlund, founder and president of Charities Challenge, will be speaking about “Running Beyond Health Challenges.” Yasso will present “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You” at 1 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. Julie Weiss, “Marathon Goddess,” will speak at 2 p.m. about her “52 Marathons in 52 Weeks” adventure. Meynard Enriquez MPT, physical therapist from Hawaii Sports and Balance Center, will talk about “Biomechanical Considerations During Long Distance Running” at 4 p.m.
Saturday is a busy day beginning with the fifth annual Fun Run starting at 7:30 a.m. The three-mile run begins at the end of Poipu Road, just past the Grand Hyatt Kauai. It’s led by marathon hosts Karnazes and Yasso. The fun run is not a race and therefore it will not be timed. Please park in the designated event parking lot on the left at the end of Poipu Road.
Next, the second Kauai Marathon Keiki Run, sponsored by Wilcox Health, begins on the far west side of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa at 9 a.m. Registrations fees are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the race. Late registration begins at 8 a.m. on race day and the races start at 9 a.m. There is a toddler trot 100-yard run for 2-4 year olds, a quarter-mile run for 5-7 year olds and a half-mile run for 8-12 year olds. Participants are encouraged to list their school on the entry form as the elementary school that brings in the most runners for the Keiki Run is going to receive a $500 donation. To register for The Kauai Marathon Keiki Run, visit www.kauaimarathon.com.
