It was still dark when over 1,500 competitors lined up for the 6:00 a.m. start of the second annual Kauai Marathon and half marathon on Sunday, September 5.
This year runners had an added incentive to blast out a PR, the $15,000 Kauai Marathon Challenge, a speed bonus to be split by any man running a sub 2:30 marathon and any woman running a sub 2:45 marathon.
Unfortunately, the prize went unclaimed this year. Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA came to Kauai specifically to win the Challenge, and missed it by less than a minute. He won the full marathon in 2:30:52.
While Wardian has run plenty of sub 2:30 marathons, he said Sunday's course was one of the most difficult road marathons he's ever participated in due to the heat, the humidity and the climbs. Wardian says he'll definitely return in 2011 in another effort to win the Challenge.
Last year's winner, J.T. Service of San Francisco, CA, was second in 2:41:24, beating his 2009 time by nearly three minutes. Masandri Hagitani of Chiba, Japan was third in 2:50:09. Hagitani recently won the inaugural Iwaki City Sunshine Marathon in Japan.
Kenyan runners Richard Kandie and Moninda Marube led for most of the race but both ended up dropping out when one of the pair got injured.
In the women's division, Becki Lynn Lassley of LIttleton, CO took the top sport in 3:23:46. Lassley came in second at the Kauai Marathon last year.
Yoshiko Tanaka Shibuya-Ku of Tokyo, Japan was second in 3:38:34 and Brittany Fuentes of Golden, CO was third in 3:41:06.
Rich Hanna of Sacramento, CA won the half marathon in 1:15:04 and Varinka Barbini of Lexinton, KY won the women's division of the half marathon in 1:25:44.
More than $100,000 was raised at the event for local and national charities, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.
Check here for the official full results of the 2010 Kauai Marathon.
Comments
too bad someone could not have won the PR prize.
I still say let it be like Boston. you can still qualify if you stay under one minute shy of the required time.
My favorite Hawaiian island.
Becki Lassley, who won the womens division, ran her first marathon ever last year at Kauai, and got second, and her second marathon (this year), she won. Pretty impressive, 2 total marathons, and a second and a first.....
Wow! That is impressive. She's an amazing runner.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!