The Valley to the Sea Marathon in Maui Hawaii is a runners paradise come true every March! I participated in the 7th Annual and the 2016 Edition of the Valley to the Sea Marathon in Maui, Hawaii.  I am a runner.  And a hiker.  And a yogi.  And pretty much down for anything that involves working out or being outside.
It should come as no surprise that in 2016 my wife and I planned our 10 day trip to Hawaii that after booking the flights/hotels I began to peruse google. To know what was going to be happening locally in Maui when there.  I have found this to be a great way to add a surprise "adventure" to a trip and really embed and connect with the local community. We would be there for the Valley to the Sea Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k!  This race is not the standard and highly publicized Maui Marathon, the vibe is different. Valley to the Sea is laidback, small, chill, and fun! One of these years I hope to return it again, but for now, I recall when I did with a fond experience!

The Valley to the Sea race was incredible in meeting the goal of connecting with the Maui community and area.

Here's why:
1. It's founded, run, and pretty much promoted all year by one guy. Name is Rudy.  I spoke to him on email, his pickup truck was the starting line up in Iao Valley State Park for the half, and he was the one handing out packets the day before. It's just once again proves how you can create anything in this world if you put your mind to it.

2. It's a beautiful course.  We left the state park and headed through local neighborhoods before running next to the ocean.  It was splendid.

3. Low key.  I have found the smaller races just are more intimate.  I met people on the bus up to the valley from Columbus Ohio, they actually live in our neighborhood! You didn't have to arrive two hours early to catch the shuttle, just five minutes before the shuttle left.

4. It's not a hard race. I set my PR (which I have since broke in Columbus) and there's really no uphill if you run the half.  That's why few choose to run the full.  The full goes UP to the valley and back to the sea if you choose to take it on. 80% choose the half.

Every year we get that email from Rudy about the next edition of the race my wife and I throw around the idea of going again.  We will back.
This was just one of many ways you can spice up a trip with something a bit random and fun and put some adventure in your travels!
If you are going to Maui in mid March I highly suggest training up (they have a 10k and 5k option!) and joining Rudy and his crew for fun morning in beautiful Hawaii.

Thanks for reading, comment below with any of your favorite running experiences on the Islands!

Have you ever run in this race?

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R and the Hashtag 59 Team