First-Timer, Defending Champion Claim Maui Marathon Titles KA’ANAPALI, MAUI, HAWAII (Sept. 20, 2009) – Marc Collie of Canada and women’s defending champion Yoko Yamazawa of Japan each won decisive victories at the 39th Maui Marathon held Sunday, September 20, 2009.
Over 2,600 runners representing 17 different countries were registered in the 26.2 and 13.1-mile events held in Maui.
Collie, 38, took the lead about two miles into the race, finishing in 2 hours, 41 minutes, 15 seconds – more than eight minutes ahead of Gregory Christopher of Kentwood, Mich., who placed second in 2:49:20.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Collie, a resident of Cochrane, Alberta. “The marathon’s aid stations were great and the volunteers are amazing.” This was Collie’s first Maui Marathon and he is already planning to return to for next year’s event. “I look forward to enjoying a nice vacation in Maui now that the race is over,” added Collie, who is staying for a week.
Roberto Plascencia of Tucson, Arizona, finished third in 2:50:59. It was deja vu Hawaiian style for Yamazawa who, for the second consecutive year, secured the lead in the women’s field about mid-way into the 26.2-mile race en route to a victory. Her time of 3:14:07 was almost five minutes slower than her 2008 finish but more than seven minutes ahead of second-place finisher Hiroko Endo (3:21:08). Jessely Orpilla finished third (3:22:03). It was Yamazawa’s fifth Maui Marathon and has placed in the top three women every year.
Race director Rudy Huber commented that the Maui Marathon was truly unique as it offered runners’ breathtaking views of sunrise lighting Halaeakala and miles of the warm waters of the Pacific. “To add to the festivity, each aid station was decorated with a Hawaiian or cultural theme and popular local bands entertained participants and their supporters at the finish line.”
The scenic point-to-point Maui Marathon course started in Kahului, ran along Maui’s coastal Honoapiilani Highway and through historic Lahaina before finishing in front of Whalers Village in the Ka’anapali Beach Resort. Over 17 miles of the race is along the ocean.
The sixth annual Maui Half Marathon was won by Matt Stevens with a time of 1:01:05. Keiko Kodama placed first in the women’s division in 1:20:15.
The out-and-back Maui Half Marathon course started at the marathon finish line in Ka’anapali and followed the last 6 ½ miles of the marathon course, including colorful Lahaina.
Newlyweds Holly and Chris Gregory who are honeymooning in Maui participated in this year’s marathon. They plan to run in a marathon organized within each of the 50 American states.
Thomas Bruck began running in marathons when he turned sixty. He participated twice in the San Diego Marathon and Honolulu Marathon. “This is my first year at the Maui Marathon. I believe living healthy and marathon running helps me keep track of my overall fitness,’ added Bruck.
Race day temperatures ranged from mid-70s at the 5:30 a.m. start in Kahului to the low to mid-80s at the finish in Ka’anapali.
The events benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, Aids Marathon Training Program and over 12 local charities. Major sponsors include: the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Maui Visitors Bureau, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association and Whalers Village.
2009 Race Summary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First-Timer, Defending Champion Claim Maui Marathon Titles KA’ANAPALI, MAUI, HAWAII (Sept. 20, 2009) – Marc Collie of Canada and women’s defending champion Yoko Yamazawa of Japan each won decisive victories at the 39th Maui Marathon held Sunday, September 20, 2009.
Over 2,600 runners representing 17 different countries were registered in the 26.2 and 13.1-mile events held in Maui.
Collie, 38, took the lead about two miles into the race, finishing in 2 hours, 41 minutes, 15 seconds – more than eight minutes ahead of Gregory Christopher of Kentwood, Mich., who placed second in 2:49:20.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Collie, a resident of Cochrane, Alberta. “The marathon’s aid stations were great and the volunteers are amazing.” This was Collie’s first Maui Marathon and he is already planning to return to for next year’s event. “I look forward to enjoying a nice vacation in Maui now that the race is over,” added Collie, who is staying for a week.
Roberto Plascencia of Tucson, Arizona, finished third in 2:50:59. It was deja vu Hawaiian style for Yamazawa who, for the second consecutive year, secured the lead in the women’s field about mid-way into the 26.2-mile race en route to a victory. Her time of 3:14:07 was almost five minutes slower than her 2008 finish but more than seven minutes ahead of second-place finisher Hiroko Endo (3:21:08). Jessely Orpilla finished third (3:22:03). It was Yamazawa’s fifth Maui Marathon and has placed in the top three women every year.
Race director Rudy Huber commented that the Maui Marathon was truly unique as it offered runners’ breathtaking views of sunrise lighting Halaeakala and miles of the warm waters of the Pacific. “To add to the festivity, each aid station was decorated with a Hawaiian or cultural theme and popular local bands entertained participants and their supporters at the finish line.”
The scenic point-to-point Maui Marathon course started in Kahului, ran along Maui’s coastal Honoapiilani Highway and through historic Lahaina before finishing in front of Whalers Village in the Ka’anapali Beach Resort. Over 17 miles of the race is along the ocean.
The sixth annual Maui Half Marathon was won by Matt Stevens with a time of 1:01:05. Keiko Kodama placed first in the women’s division in 1:20:15.
The out-and-back Maui Half Marathon course started at the marathon finish line in Ka’anapali and followed the last 6 ½ miles of the marathon course, including colorful Lahaina.
Newlyweds Holly and Chris Gregory who are honeymooning in Maui participated in this year’s marathon. They plan to run in a marathon organized within each of the 50 American states.
Thomas Bruck began running in marathons when he turned sixty. He participated twice in the San Diego Marathon and Honolulu Marathon. “This is my first year at the Maui Marathon. I believe living healthy and marathon running helps me keep track of my overall fitness,’ added Bruck.
Race day temperatures ranged from mid-70s at the 5:30 a.m. start in Kahului to the low to mid-80s at the finish in Ka’anapali.
The events benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, Aids Marathon Training Program and over 12 local charities. Major sponsors include: the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Maui Visitors Bureau, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association and Whalers Village.
Complete results at: www.MauiMarathonHAWAII.com