FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kauai Marathon Champion Tyler McCandless Three-peats, Crushes Course Record
Colorado Runners Take Home Top Spots in 5th Annual Kauai Marathon
The 5th Annual Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon featured over 1,700
participants and over 170 youth runners in their inaugural Keiki Race. The
Aloha State was well represented with 911 local registrants of whom 615
were from Kauai. Runners from 41 States and 13 countries enjoyed the magic
of the Garden of Isle.
The performance of the day went to Tyler McCandless, 26, Boulder CO,
winning the Full Marathon with a course record time of 2:21:09 and smashing
the Grand Hyatt $15,000 Speed Challenge. McCandless, sponsored by Newton
Running, shared the excitement of his third victory. "After giving
presentations over the last two weeks to Kauai's elementary school kids on
setting goals, working hard, and the joy of achieving your goals, nothing
felt better than crossing the finish line under my targeted time. The aloha
spirit of the race spectators, volunteers, staff, and competitors was
outstanding as always. Winning for the third consecutive year is a very
special moment in time for me and I could not be happier to share the
experience with the friendly folks on Kauai."
Tim Aukshunas, 28 of Seattle, WA powered home for second place finishing in
2:36:00 and 2010 Kauai Marathon Champion Michael Wardian, 37 of Arlington,
VA finished third with a time of 2:37:58.
The State of Colorado took both of the top spots in the Full Marathon as
Nicole Chyr, 35 of Denver, CO won convincingly in 3:00:33. Brooke
Sugahara, 38 of Kapaa, Kauai was second in the marathon at 3:24:43 and also
the top local Kauai finisher. The 2010 Kauai Marathon Champion, Becky Lynn
Lassley, 35 rounded out the top three in 3:27:46.
Kevin Fong, 18 of Moraga, CA won the men's Half Marathon with a time of
1:23:20 while Lauren Tippets, 28 of Los Altos, CA led the women with a time
of 1:26:09.
Kauai's top finishers were Derrick Ledesma and Brook Sugahara for the Full
Marathon and Jordan Kahawai and Jackie Reding for the Half Marathon.
The 2013 event featured far more than the successful running of the
Marathon and Half Marathon. The weeklong event kicked off with 150 service
men and women on August 26th with a military Shadow Half Marathon run in
Bagram Airfield, Parwan Province Afghanistan. Then the world class Sports
and Fitness Expo provided a backdrop for runners to meet several running
celebrities, as well as informative health and wellness seminars. And
finally, Saturday August 31st, the Inaugural Keiki Race energized over 170
children from the ages of 2 to 12 with a fun run at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
Resort & Spa.
Endurance sports celebrity Dean Karnazes and Runner's World's Chief Running
Officer Bart Yasso were both on hand for the week's festivities handing out
tips and inspiration to all the runners. Yasso believes the event is one of
the best because of the accessibility to his fellow running community
through the Expo, pre race fun run and the finish line party. He loves the
personal connections he makes and always looks forward to meeting the
people of Kauai.
Several sponsors made the event possible including: County of Kauai, Hawaii
Tourism Authority, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa,
Fresh Point, Kauai Coffee, The Parrish Collection Kauai, Cap't Andy's
Sailing Adventures, Kalapaki Joe's, Kauai Heritage Properties and Poipu
Beach Resort Association. Many other local businesses assisted by
providing volunteer lunches, accommodations and supplies for the medical
tent.
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