Press Release - Kona Marathon - 11/21/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

               Kona Marathon Promotes New Race Location

The UCC Coffee Kona Marathon announced a new partnership with the Waikoloa 
Beach Resort to move the growing 22nd annual event to the "Gathering Place 
of the Kohala Coast."

With the steady growth of the Kona Marathon Events over the last few years 
this new partnership will allow more participants from around the world to 
experience this quality running event on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Kona Marathon each year traditionally brings in 2,000 runners with 
almost every state in the union represented and the 2014 event had runners 
from 18 different countries.

All 4 events – Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K – will start 
and finish at the beautiful Waikoloa Bowl at the Queen's Garden. The new 
courses will have runners enjoying the beautifully shaded scenic Waikoloa 
Beach Drive with the Marathon and Half Marathon runners continuing on to 
Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the famous "Lava Fields of Kona" following a 
portion of the bike route for the infamous World Championship Ironman 
before returning to the Waikoloa Beach Resort and their finish at the 
Waikoloa Bowl.

Since it is a year for changes, the usual 10K race has been transformed 
into a brand new event - the Quarter Marathon. By adding just .35 of a mile 
to the 6.2 miles that make a10K, it becomes 6.55 miles - a quarter of the 
distance of a full marathon.

"This new partnership with the Waikoloa Beach Resort" said Race Director 
Sharron Faff, "will allow the event to continue to expand in the future and 
bring more athletes with their family and friends to Hawaii in order to 
experience our beautiful state in a truly outstanding and gorgeous 
location".

The event date is Sunday, June 28, 2015. For more information regarding the 
new location, new course routes, registration, hotel accommodations, 
schedule of weekend events, charities, volunteering, and things to do on 
the Big Island: www.konamarathon.com or call 808-967-8240

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