Next race
Sunday, 5 September 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Hilly · 250 m gain
250 m climbing
Race profile
The Kauai Marathon draws approximately 319 finishers each September on a scenic coastal road in Poipu, United States. Kauai's premier marathon combines Garden Isle scenery with a challenging hilly coastal course each Labor Day weekend. The course tours Kauai's south-shore cliffs, coastal roads, and tropical resort neighborhoods. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Kauai Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 319 finishers
Course & terrain
The Kauai Marathon covers varied scenic coastal road terrain. Starts and finishes in the Poipu resort area on Kauai's south shore. The course tours Kauai's south-shore cliffs, coastal roads, and tropical resort neighborhoods. Hilly with notable climbs.
The Kauai Marathon course is hilly over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 250 metres of climbing and 200 metres of descent, with a net climb of 50 metres from start to finish.
Hilly · 250 m gain — approx. 10 m above sea level
↑ 250 m · ↓ 200 m · net +50 m
Registration
Kauai Marathon is typically held in September. Registration opens through https://thekauaimarathon.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Getting there
Lihue, Kauai (LIH)
Lihue Airport
16 km / 10 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Poipu.
The Honolulu Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 18k finishers on a scenic coastal road in Honolulu, United States. The course starts before dawn on Ala Moana Boulevard in Waikiki and finishes in Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head. Hilly in the second half, with the biggest climbs between miles 18 and 23.
Next race: Sunday, 13 December 2026
The Maui Marathon draws approximately 404 finishers each April on a scenic coastal road in Kaanapali, United States. Hawaii's second-largest marathon field runs a scenic point-to-point course along Maui's famous western coast. The course follows Maui's western shoreline with Pacific views, resort roads, and West Maui mountain backdrops. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
The Maui Oceanfront Marathon draws approximately 206 finishers each January on a scenic coastal road in Maui, United States. A January oceanfront marathon on Maui with a flat, fast certified course popular for winter racing. The course follows Maui's coastal highways with Pacific views and resort-town finishes. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 17 January 2027
The Kona Marathon draws approximately 119 finishers each July on a scenic coastal road in Kailua-Kona, United States. The Kona Marathon brings runners to Hawaii Island's sunny west coast over rolling coastal roads. The course tours Kona's coastal roads, coffee-country connectors, and lava-field vistas on the Big Island. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 4 July 2027
The Santa Rosa Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each August on a wine-country road in Santa Rosa, United States. Its summer date works because the race begins early before Sonoma County heat builds. The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 1 August 2027
The San Francisco Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in San Francisco, United States. The course starts and finishes along the Embarcadero. The route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, passes the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and the Haight. Hilly throughout, with the steepest climbs in the Presidio and through Golden Gate Park.
Next race: Saturday, 31 July 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
