How do I register for the Kauai Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners and typically opens each year on September 30 for the following September's race. The entry window closes around August 27, but the race usually sells out before then, so register early.

Is the Kauai Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. Keep in mind that the heat, humidity, and rolling terrain mean conditions are rarely ideal for a PR attempt, so factor that into your goal time.

What is the course like in terms of elevation?

The course is net-flat overall but rolls consistently throughout, with nearly 1,900 feet of cumulative gain and a similar amount of loss. There's no single brutal climb, but there's no easy flat stretch to coast through either.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Early September in Kauai means warm temperatures and high humidity. Expect it to feel harder than your splits suggest, especially in the second half. Start hydrating early and plan your pace around the conditions.

Are there any discounts on entry fees?

Yes. Kama'aina (Hawai'i residents) and active military members receive discounted entry fees.

How big is the field and what kind of race is this logistically?

The race draws around 2,400 finishers, which keeps it manageable. The start is in Poipu on the southern coast, the nearest airport is Lihue (LIH) about 45 minutes away, and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa serves as race headquarters.

Sun, Sep 6 · 2026Poipu, HISince 2009

Kauai Marathon

The Kauai Marathon runs point-to-point along the southern coast of one of Hawaii's most remote islands, trading steady climbs and rolling descents for a finish you genuinely have to work for.

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KAUAI · US

Kauai

SUN, SEP 6

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2009

Kauai is a race that earns its reputation the hard way. It starts in Poipu on the island's sunny southern coast and runs point-to-point through rolling terrain that keeps testing you mile after mile. There's no flat cruise section to bank time. The climbs are spread out, the sun is relentless, and the humidity makes every pace feel a little harder than it should. But the course drops back toward the coast in the later miles, and if you've been patient, that's where you finally open up. Don't go out with the people who feel great at mile three. You'll pay for it by mile eighteen.

This is a genuine destination race, and it draws people who want the experience as much as the finish time. Open registration means you don't need to fight a lottery, but it typically sells out, so register early once the window opens in late September. The field is mid-sized, which keeps it from feeling chaotic. Hawai'i residents and active military get discounted entry, which is worth knowing. It qualifies for Boston, but given the heat and the rolling course, plan your goal time accordingly and hydrate from mile one.

Field size

~2.4k

2,400 finishers

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:21:33

Tyler McCandless

2013

Women

2:46:02

Brett Ely

2012

The Course

1,858 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,858 ft

Total descent

↓1,863 ft

Net elevation

↓5 ft

Highest point

820 ft

Lowest point

19 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

The course runs point-to-point with nearly 1,900 feet of cumulative gain and an almost identical loss, making it effectively net-flat but deceptively rolling throughout. Expect a series of climbs and descents rather than a single decisive hill. The highest point sits around 820 feet, reached well before the finish, so the back half rewards runners who held back early. Pacing conservatively through the first half pays off when the course drops toward the coast. Heat and humidity add meaningful physiological load, so perceived effort will run ahead of the splits. Plan your race by feel, not by pace.

DIFFICULTYMOUNTAINOUSPR-FRIENDLYNO

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

74°F

High

84°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Race day in early September on Kauai runs warm and humid. You're looking at a start that's already in the mid-70s and climbs into the low-to-mid 80s by the time you're in the back half of the course. The humidity is the thing to plan around. Your splits will feel harder than they look on paper. Drink early and don't wait until you're thirsty. A fast day is possible, but you'll need conditions to cooperate, and most years you're racing the heat as much as the clock.

Entry

OPEN

Registration is open until August 27 each year. The race typically sells out. Kama'aina (Hawai'i residents) and active military receive discounted entry fees.

Register on race site