Motorists driving the Queen Kaahumanu Highway near Waikoloa on Sunday morning saw hundred of runners streaming along the makai shoulder of the roadway and along Waikoloa Beach Drive. But for the first time in years, West Hawaii drivers weren’t having
Motorists driving the Queen Kaahumanu Highway near Waikoloa on Sunday morning saw hundred of runners streaming along the makai shoulder of the roadway and along Waikoloa Beach Drive. But for the first time in years, West Hawaii drivers weren’t having to adjust their course and travel times for the Kona Marathon.
Up until today, the increasingly popular event, now in its 22nd year, closed lanes on the busy Alii Drive. The race was still expected to cause short delays as runners entered and exited the resort at intersections with Queen Kaahumanu, and drivers were being urged to be cautious and aware between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. However, the impacts to traffic were expected to be far less than in years past — part of the draw of the Waikoloa venue that prompted race organizers to move the event north.
The 5K course is contained entirely in the Waikoloa Beach Drive and resort area. The quarter, half and full marathons use portions of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway road shoulder as well.
The new venue gives the race room to expand, race director and owner Sharron Faff told West Hawaii Today.
The 26.2-mile full marathon course loops through Waikoloa Beach Drive and along the southbound shoulder of Queen Kaahumanu Highway to just south of the Kiholo scenic overlook, where runners turn around and use the same shoulder, cordoned off with cones, to return to the finish line.
This year’s race has more participants than ever, although it was not clear Saturday how many of them would finish. The race’s 20th aniversary had 1,800 finishers two years ago.
Last year, the race closed the southbound lanes of Alii Drive and Makala Boulevard during morning hours. The marathon used the makai shoulder of Queen Kaahumanu Highway to a turnaround south of Kaiminani Drive, finishing at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay.
No complaints about the marathon’s use of Alli Drive ever came before the Kona Traffic Safety Committee that committee member Joel Gimpel could remember.
“As far as traffic, there were enough alternate routes going north and south,” Gimpel said, speaking for himself rather than the safety committee.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates the race brings $10 million to West Hawaii. Gary Michell, who owns Exclusive Designs, Inc. in the Queens’ MarketPlace, with his wife Carman, said he welcomed the boost to the Waikoloa economy after a slow April and May.
“Events like the marathon are great; they raise awareness,” Michell said. “But we need more direct flights to bring people here.”
