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The Kauai Marathon: Tyler McCandless, Michael Wardian Win $15,000 Challenge
From the Kauai MarathonSeptember 6, 2011
Kauai, HI
Photos by Jo Evans, DaKineImages.com
The 2011 Kauai Marathon (photo at left: start of the race), Half Marathon and Marathon Relay were a resounding success with multiple course records broken, the largest field in race history, and an abundance of aloha. The performance of the morning came in the marathon from Tyler McCandless, 24 of Boulder, CO; he won the race in 2:23:22 on an extremely challenging course in temperate conditions. He also set a course record and won the Kauai Marathon Speed Challenge (sub-2:30 for men). The men's defending champion, Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA, finished second (2:26:20). Both men earned a share of the $15,000 bonus: McCandless takes home $8,750 for the victory, and Wardian earned $6,250 for his efforts. Kenyan David Tuwai was third (2:32:24). Tyler McCandless (photo below) commented that although it wasn’t a personal best, it was the best racing experience he has ever had. People he briefly met during race week came out on the course to cheer him on. Michael Wardian agreed, saying that aid station and course volunteers and the community of Kauai were all amazing.
The top female finisher for the full marathon was Rumi Otani of Iwaki City, Japan with a course record time
of 3:10:07, followed by 2010 winner Becki Lassley with a time of 3:25:19. Neither woman finished under the women’s $15,000 Challenge standard of 2:45. Clark Davis of Duncan, SC won the men's half marathon in 1:19:53. The winning female was Emily Shertzer of Jonestown, PA in 1:20:09 (course record). Kauai’s top local finishers were Mark Bogner and Mary Castelanelli for the full marathon and Jordan Kahawai and Brook Sugahara for the half marathon.
The races featured 1,723 participants from 47 states, Guam and the District of Columbia, as well as 13 countries. There were 1,204 half marathoners, and 424 marathoners. Twenty-six relay teams with 95 runners were entered. More than half of the participants were women.
Jeff Sacchini, race founder, has had a vision of bringing a world-class marathon to Kauai. Leadership and Kauai’s generous support have allowed the island’s aloha spirit to be shared with visitors from around the world while enhancing the local economy. Sacchini said, “We successfully completed the 3rd Annual Kauai Marathon with the Speed Challenge broken by two runners. The community support throughout the course was abundant as a record crowd turned out to the support the runners. The participants passed hula dancers, Taiko drum troupes, striking mountain views, and each concluded their journey along one of the most beautiful oceanfront finish lines in road racing.”
Endurance sports celebrities Dean Karnazes and Runner’s World’s Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso both attended the week’s festivities, offering tips and inspiration to the runners. Yasso complimented the expert panel discussion at the Expo, pre-race fun run, and carbo load luau. He enjoys meeting the people of Kauai.
Two individuals completed their 400th lifetime marathon in Kauai this year. Robbie “Red Hat” Wilson and Yen Nguyen both successfully reached their milestones on one of the most challenging, yet beautiful road courses in the world.
Several sponsors made the event possible including: Kauai Visitor’s Bureau, County of Kauai, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Grand Hyatt Kauai, Fresh Point, Kauai Coffee, Kalapaki Joe’s, Kauai Heritage Properties, Poipu Beach Resort Association and Holo Holo Boat Tours. Many local businesses assisted by providing volunteer lunches, accommodations, and supplies for the medical tent.
More than $7,000 was generously donated to numerous local non-profit groups volunteering for race day activities, including Kukui’ula Canoe Club, Kalaheo Elementary School, Koloa Elementary School, Kapaa High School Project Grad and the American Red Cross. Other non-profit groups attended the event including A-T and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Collectively, they raised more than $220,000.
To register for this world-class event scheduled for September 2, 2012, see www.thekauaimarathon.com.