KAANAPALI – The 47th annual Maui Marathon is set for Sunday, Oct. 15, and includes a full marathon, the new inaugural four-person marathon relay, a half marathon, as well as 10K and 5K races. All events are scheduled for the morning of Oct. 15.

Last September, former Race Director Rudy Huber announced his retirement after eight years. The new race director is Jon Emerson, the former owner of Pacific Sport Events and Timing, and his co-race director is Jim Lynch, a certified 50 State Marathon finisher who has run 101 marathons.

This year, the race was moved from September to October for a few reasons.

According to Lynch, “mid-September is very hot, and marathon runners were miserable in the heat.

“Though still warm, the sun won’t be as intense in October. Also, it distances our race from the Kauai Marathon and the Hana Relay, which were both held the two weekends prior to the Maui Marathon, and it still allows enough time for those participating in the Honolulu Marathon in December.”

Runners are expected from the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, the Mainland U.S. and other countries, bringing a boost to tourism to Kaanapali during a slower period on Maui.

The marathon and inaugural four-person marathon relay start at Hookele Street close to Hana Highway at 5 a.m. The half marathon starts at 6 a.m., the 10K at 6:15 a.m. and 5K at 6:30 a.m., all starting at the marathon finish line in front of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

Lynch said, “Jon and I decided to consolidate all the events into one day, which causes less congestion for the Kaanapali Beach resorts, Whalers Village and the local residents. Since the Maui Marathon is owned by the Valley Isle Road Runners and is a nonprofit event, combining the races to one day reduces the expenses to put on a race of this size, which is becoming more costly each year.”

The Maui Marathon is one of the three oldest marathons west of the Mississippi and a certified Boston qualifier course. Competitor.com listed the Maui Marathon as one of the 25 “must-do American marathons” in 2017, specifically because the race was moved a month later.

Emerson and Lynch have a goal to keep this race more of a fun destination event as opposed to a competitive event.

Lynch said, “There is a race distance for everyone in the family who enjoys running or walking. Best of all, the entire family can experience a memorable vacation on Maui, enjoying all our island has to offer, and go home with much aloha.”

JTB is again the main sponsor of the marathon and half marathon. Maui Tacos is the sponsor of the 10K and 5K. The Kaanapali Beach Resort Association is also a main sponsor and the host resort. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa continues as the site of the two-day Sports and Fitness Expo on Oct. 13-14, and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel will host the awards ceremony.

Lynch said, ”We have a great team of individuals from the community who are working to put on this year’s event. We are extremely appreciative of the warmth, acceptance and support of the sponsors, Kaanapali resorts, Kaanapali community, Mayor’s Office, Maui Police Department, volunteers and vendors. They all have opened their door for us and welcome the continued success of the Maui Marathon and what it represents to Kaanapali and the island of Maui.”

For information and registration, visit www.mauimarathon.com.