Kona Marathon?

[ermindy1133]

Any of my fellow MO’s ever run the Kona Marathon? My baby sister and I are thinking of a vacation in Hawaii, and she wants to run Kona if we decide to go. As a non-runner, I think she’s nuts. But that’s beside the point. So I was wondering if any of you have done this particular marathon and if so, any tips or advice? She marathons year round, so I’m more interested in logistical information. How difficult is it to do the marathon if we stay at Aulani, etc... TIA!

[brp]

Originally Posted by ermindy1133

How difficult is it to do the marathon if we stay at Aulani, etc... TIA!

Inasmuch as Aulani is on Oahu and Kona is on Hawai'i, I think the logistics might prove difficult. Definitely better to be staying locally for any race.

Cheers.

[ermindy1133]

Originally Posted by brp

Inasmuch as Aulani is on Oahu and Kona is on Hawai'i, I think the logistics might prove difficult. Definitely better to be staying locally for any race.

Cheers.

I knew that they were on separate islands. What I wasn’t sure about is how difficult it would be to travel between the islands. But I knew there were some experts here who could help me out. Sounds like a few days at Aulani and a few days on the big island would be a better idea. I think I remember you saying that your wife lived there for a time? Suggestions for a nice place to stay?

[brp]

Originally Posted by ermindy1133

Sounds like a few days at Aulani and a few days on the big island would be a better idea. I think I remember you saying that your wife lived there for a time? Suggestions for a nice place to stay?

mrs. brp lived on Oahu during her Ph.D. And my advice for where to stay on Oahu is any other island.

As for Hawai'i island, we're partial to the Kona side. We stay about 19 miles north of Kona proper, in an area called Waikoloa. We have HGVC timeshare that we use there regularly. Many resorts here as well as some fun restaurants with good happy house.

Kona itself is interesting as well.

We don't know the Hilo side as well.

Cheers.

[erikthewise]

I have stayed at Hilton Waikoloa Village, which is a very nice hotel complex adjacent to the HGVC timeshare brp referred to. There is no place on the Big Island (Hawai'i) that I'd rather stay. The town of Waikoloa is a short drive up the hill; it's a small town but you can buy groceries there etc.

Kona itself is a larger city and even not knowing the route, the logistics would surely be simpler if you stay there. In any case I recommend renting a car. I'm sure there are airline flights directly to Kona from the west coast; I think Alaska Airlines does that, and no doubt others do as well.

[brp]

Originally Posted by erikthewise

I have stayed at Hilton Waikoloa Village, which is a very nice hotel complex adjacent to the HGVC timeshare brp referred to. There is no place on the Big Island (Hawai'i) that I'd rather stay. The town of Waikoloa is a short drive up the hill; it's a small town but you can buy groceries there etc.

Kona itself is a larger city and even not knowing the route, the logistics would surely be simpler if you stay there. In any case I recommend renting a car. I'm sure there are airline flights directly to Kona from the west coast; I think Alaska Airlines does that, and no doubt others do as well.

I was thinking of the whole Waikoloa area (the Hilton as well as the HGVC timeshares there where we've stayed a bunch of times).

And, yes, AS does fly from all 3 Bay Area airports to all islands. The non-stop combinations are not all airports all days, though, so have to check.

Cheers.