PO‘IPU — The 2024 Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon is in the midst of planning for the 15th running of the marathon and half marathon that runs on Sept. 1 in Po‘ipu.
But the planning paused on Monday when Jeff and Liz Sacchini, the event founders, and Robyn Jumper, a 14-year veteran of The Kaua‘i Marathon, took time to share a total of $25,000 from the 2023 Kaua‘i Marathon with representatives of four Kaua‘i nonprofit groups.
“We’re still working on our scholarships for our youth,” Jumper said. “We’ll probably arrange for another presentation later in the spring.”
The YWCA of Kaua‘i, recently hosting its Na Wahine Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Leadership Awards Dinner and Gala celebrating “four exceptional change-makers within the Kaua‘i community,” received a Kaua‘i Marathon award of $15,000.
Jeff Sacchini, founder of The Kaua‘i Marathon, thanked each of the four nonprofits for the work they do within the community. He also encouraged each of the groups to continue to do the good work they do to keep the island moving ahead.
The Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, currently engaged with Kaua‘i’s Credit Unions for a food drive, earned a $5,000 award that will help toward its upcoming community food distribution on Nov. 17 at Kaua‘i Veterans Center.
The Kaua‘i Humane Society and the Kaua‘i Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals each earned $2,500 awards.
“We have our first sign-ups starting to trickle in. We are still a relatively young event as destination events go, and we are optimistic that we will sell out for the first time in 2024,” said the Sacchinis in a letter to past participants through the Kaua‘i Marathon website.
“Our recommendation is to register early this year as we will cap the event at 2,500 participants. We are also just about sold out all of the rental cars, and South Side hotel rooms on island, this year. This is a first!”
Registration and more information on the 2024 Kaua‘i Marathon and Half Marathon, including results of previous years’ events, can be found on the event website at www.thekauaimarathon.com.
