Slated for 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, The Run Forrest Run Front Street Mile is an out-and-back course on historic Front Street in Lahaina, starting and finishing in front of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Last year, a Forrest Gump actor was a hit with the children.

LAHAINA — The Maui Marathon — Hawaii’s oldest marathon — will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an inaugural “Warrior Challenge” and numerous other new festivities.

Valley Isle Road Runners, the nonprofit club that organizes the event weekend, reported that more than 3,500 runners and walkers from all over the U.S. and many foreign countries are expected to participate in the 2010 Maui Marathon and Half Marathon set for 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The “Warrior Challenge” will be a special competition that combines three of the race weekend’s events.

Those entered in the challenge will participate in the 3.1-mile Maui Tacos 5K Run/Walk and the Run Forrest Run Front Street Mile on Saturday, Sept. 18, plus either the 26.2-mile Maui Marathon or 13.1-mile Maui Half Marathon on Sunday.

“Runners are looking for something different. They want new challenges,” said Rudy Huber, race director.

Challenge finishers will receive a commemorative medal and T-shirt (in addition to the medals and shirts they receive in the other events).

The Maui Tacos 5K Run/Walk takes place entirely within Kaanapali Beach Resort, starting at 8 a.m. in front of Whalers Village.

Another new event is The Maui Go Red For Women Ambassador One-Mile Walk. Organized by ambassadors of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Movement in Maui County, the walk will be held to raise awareness about heart disease — the number one killer of women.

 Runners and friends will be able to enjoy tasty pasta, live Hawaiian music and ocean views at the Maui Marathon Hard Rock Café “Rock the Run” Pasta Party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17. The party will feature live music by Grammy Award-winning slack key musician George Kahumoku Jr.

Race weekend activities will also include the Maui Marathon Carbo Luau at The Westin Maui on Saturday and the Maui Marathon Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday.

The scenic point-to-point Maui Marathon course starts near Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului, runs along the coastal Honoapiilani Highway, then through historic Lahaina before finishing in front of Whalers Village.

The Maui Marathon Race Weekend is sponsored by Maui Visitors Bureau, Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, Maui Tacos and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, the host hotel. The events benefit more than 11 local and national charities.

For more information, visit www.mauimarathonhawaii.com, call (808) 280-5801 or e-mail info@mauimarathonhawaii.com.