Quick Scoop: Maui Marathon 2026 Essentials
The 56th Annual Maui Marathon returns to Ka’anapali on Sunday, April 26, 2026, featuring a faster oceanfront course along Honoapiilani Highway. Maui Paradise Properties is proud to be a Title II sponsor for this iconic event. We’ll be offering runners(their guests and families) and tourists as well exclusive accommodation rates and insider tips for maximizing the race-week experience.
Whether you’re chasing a Boston qualifier on one of Runner’s World’s Top 10 Most Scenic Marathons or bringing your ohana for a race-cation, this guide covers everything from carb-loading spots to post-race recovery activities that make Maui unforgettable.
What Makes the Maui Marathon 2026 Different from Previous Years?
The 2026 Maui Marathon brings exciting changes while honoring its 56-year legacy as Hawaii’s oldest marathon. The race returns to Ka’anapali with a new out-and-back course along the Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30), creating a flatter and faster route with continuous ocean views. All events start and finish in front of the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort, exactly where thousands of runners have crossed the finish line for decades.
Here’s what’s new for 2026. The course redesign means Boston qualifiers finally have that fast, flat opportunity they’ve been waiting for. Instead of the old course with its challenging hills, you’ll be running alongside the Pacific Ocean for most of your 26.2 miles. The new route keeps the breathtaking scenery that earned this race its reputation while giving you a legitimate shot at your PR.
The Health & Fitness Expo runs Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa’s Valley Isle Ballroom. This year’s expo prioritizes supporting Maui’s recovery by offering complimentary booth spaces to local businesses impacted by the 2023 fires and nonprofit organizations. It’s more than just picking up your race packet. You’ll connect with local wellness brands, sports medicine clinics, and fellow runners from around the world.
The race also offers multiple distance options, including full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and virtual events for each distance. Whether you’re tackling your first 5K or hunting that elusive BQ, there’s a starting line with your name on it.
The Partnership That Matters
Maui Paradise Properties is honored to serve as a Title II sponsor for the Maui Marathon 2026. Our company has deep roots in West Maui, managing vacation rentals that have hosted families, adventurers, and yes, plenty of marathon runners over the years. We understand what traveling athletes need because we’ve been helping people experience Maui authentically for decades.
This sponsorship isn’t just about business. It’s about supporting an event that brings thousands of visitors to West Maui during a crucial recovery period. Every runner who books a stay, eats at a local restaurant, and explores our beaches contributes to the community’s healing and growth. That matters to us.
Where Should Marathon Runners Stay in Maui?
Staying in Ka’anapali puts you minutes from the start line and immerses you in West Maui’s race-week energy. Maui Paradise Properties offers vacation rentals ranging from beachfront condos to multi-bedroom homes, all designed for the comfort serious runners need when they’re not logging miles.
Our Ka’anapali properties give you what hotels can’t. Full kitchens for prepping your pre-race meals exactly how you like them. Washers and dryers for dealing with sweaty training gear. Multiple bathrooms when you’re traveling with your crew. And spaces where you can spread out your race materials, foam rollers, and all that runner stuff without tripping over it.
Plus, the location makes everything easier during race week. Our properties near the start/finish area mean you can sleep later on race morning instead of stressing about traffic or parking. You can also walk back to your place after packet pickup instead of fighting for a spot at an overcrowded hotel. And when you finish that marathon, you’re a short walk from your own shower, your own bed, and your own celebration space.
Beyond Ka’anapali, consider these runner-friendly areas:
Napili Bay: About 10 minutes north of the start line, this quieter area offers beautiful morning running routes and easy beach access for post-race ocean therapy. The calmer vibe helps if you need to escape race-week crowds.
Lahaina: This historic town sits just south of Ka’anapali and offers accommodations with convenient access to the race route. Lahaina’s walkable streets, diverse dining options, and natural character provide a different vibe from resort areas.
Kihei or Wailea: South Maui properties work if you’re combining the marathon with a longer Maui vacation. The 45-minute drive to Ka’anapali feels manageable when you’re not racing, and these areas offer incredible beaches and dining options for post-race relaxation.
What Are the Best Healthy Restaurants for Marathon Carb-Loading?
Here’s where to find meals that support your performance without sacrificing the Maui experience.
Pre-Race Carb-Loading Spots
Ulu Kitchen by Merriman (Ka’anapali): This oceanfront restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and recipes created by renowned chef Peter Merriman, offering breakfast through dinner with indoor and outdoor dining options. Their pasta dishes pack the complex carbs you need two nights before race day.
Choice Health Bar (Whalers Village): This healthy eatery specializes in fresh, locally sourced organic food, including açaí bowls, Buddha bowls with quinoa and kale, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies. It’s perfect for that light but nutritious breakfast before an early training run or as a post-workout recovery meal.
Duke’s Beach House Maui (Ka’anapali): Nestled along Ka’anapali’s North Beach, Duke’s offers locally sourced contemporary island flavors with breathtaking ocean and neighboring island views. Their breakfast menu includes substantial options that’ll fuel your training runs, and the beachfront location means you can watch the sunrise while you eat.
Race-Morning Fuel
Race morning nutrition is tricky. You need something familiar that won’t upset your stomach. Most of our runners keep it simple with items from their own rental’s kitchen since you can control exactly what goes into your pre-race meal. You can stock your fridge from Foodland or Safeway the day before. They carry everything from plain bagels to bananas to your favorite energy bars.
Post-Race Recovery Meals
Whew! You just ran 26.2 miles. You deserve something special.
Monkeypod Kitchen: Their menu balances comfort food with quality ingredients. The burgers are legendary, and after a marathon, you’ve earned every single calorie. Their farm-to-table approach ensures fresh ingredients that support your body’s recovery.
Sangrita Grill + Cantina: This upscale Mexican restaurant uses approximately 75% locally sourced, organic produce with healthy options, including vegan and gluten-free dishes, always available on the menu. Their fresh approach to Mexican cuisine hits the spot when you’re craving flavor and substance after burning 3,000+ calories.
Leilani’s on the Beach: The oceanfront location and fresh seafood make this an ideal post-race dinner spot. Their garlic shrimp pasta gets rave reviews, and the two-level setup means you can choose between upscale dining or casual beach-bar vibes depending on how your legs feel.
How Can Runners Spend Race Week Beyond Training?
Marathon week shouldn’t be all about the race. You’re in Maui, one of the world’s most beautiful places. Here’s how to balance race prep with unforgettable experiences that won’t wreck your legs before the starting gun.
Low-Impact Pre-Race Activities
Snorkeling at Black Rock: The water here is calm most mornings, and it’s great for gentle swimming that keeps your legs loose without impact stress. The underwater scenery rivals anywhere on the island. Green sea turtles frequently cruise by, and the tropical fish population will distract you from race-day nerves.
Sunset Watching: Ka’anapali Beach delivers spectacular sunsets that remind you why you traveled thousands of miles to run here. Find a spot on the sand, maybe grab a fresh coconut water from a beach vendor, and watch the sky turn every shade of pink and orange you can imagine. It’s the perfect pre-race evening activity when you’re trying to stay off your feet.
Beach Walks at Dawn: Early morning walks along Ka’anapali’s three-mile stretch of sand give you a feel for race-day conditions without the intensity of a workout. The sand is cool under your toes before sunrise, trade winds haven’t kicked up yet, and you’ll have most of the beach to yourself. It’s meditative in a way that helps calm pre-race jitters.
Post-Race Recovery Adventures
You crossed that finish line. Your legs are tired, but your spirit is soaring. Now what?
Ocean Therapy: The Pacific’s warm waters provide natural hydrotherapy for sore muscles. You can wade in at Napili Bay or Kapalua Bay, where the water’s calmer and the beaches are less crowded. The salt water reduces inflammation, the gentle waves provide a natural massage, and honestly, floating in the ocean after running a marathon feels like the universe’s reward for your hard work.
Road to Hana Day Trip: This journey showcases Maui’s lush eastern side, with waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and tropical landscapes that make the challenging drive worthwhile. For a complete guide to navigating this iconic route, check out our 7-day Maui vacation itinerary.
Spa Treatments: Many West Maui resorts offer massage therapy. Lomilomi massage, Hawaii’s traditional healing technique, combines physical therapy with spiritual care. It’s pricey but effective, and you’ll leave feeling like a new person.
Helicopter Tours: Seeing Maui from above provides perspective on the terrain you just conquered. Tours fly over the course route, across hidden valleys, and around waterfalls you can’t reach any other way.
Why Should Runners Extend Their Stay Beyond Marathon Weekend?
Most runners book three or four nights around the race. Friday arrival, Saturday expo, Sunday race, Monday flight home. But leaving on Monday means you’ll miss the best parts of your Maui trip.
Your body needs recovery time. Days two and three post-marathon are when muscle soreness peaks, then starts improving. By day four or five, you can actually walk normally again. The warm ocean water, sunshine, and fresh local food can accelerate recovery better than sitting in your living room back home.
Race week has a specific energy with everyone focused on the marathon. But the Tuesday after? That’s when you discover the real Maui. The beaches are less crowded. Restaurants have better availability. You finally have the mental bandwidth to appreciate the beauty around you.
The travel math is simple. You already paid for expensive flights to Hawaii and took time off work. Adding three or four extra nights to your rental costs less than you’d think, especially with weekly rates. Those additional days will turn your marathon trip from “that race I did in Maui” into “that incredible week in paradise where I also ran a marathon.”
Secure Your Race Week Home Base
The Maui Marathon is more than a race. It’s your excuse to visit paradise, the achievement that’ll reshape how you see yourself, and the story you’ll tell for years. And every training mile you’ve logged leads to that starting line in Ka’anapali.
Maui Paradise Properties makes your race-week experience match the magnitude of your accomplishment. Our vacation rentals provide the comfort, convenience, and space you need to perform your best and recover fully.
Your perfect marathon rental is waiting: book your stay today for exclusive runner rates. Let’s make this happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time to arrive in Maui before the marathon?
Arrive at least two full days before race day, meaning Thursday afternoon or Friday morning for a Sunday race. This allows your body to adjust to the time zone, recover from travel fatigue, and complete any final light workouts.
Can I qualify for Boston at the Maui Marathon 2026?
Yes, the Maui Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. The new 2026 course features a flatter, faster out-and-back route along Honoapiilani Highway with ocean views. This makes it one of the better courses in Hawaii for chasing a BQ.
What weather should marathon runners expect in late April?
Late April marks the end of Maui’s dry season, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 75-85°F. The morning race starts around 5:00 AM, and temperatures will likely be in the low 70s. Additionally, trade winds provide natural cooling along the oceanfront course—rain is possible, but less likely than during winter months.
Are there running stores near Ka’anapali for last-minute gear needs?
The Health & Fitness Expo at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa features vendors selling running gear, nutrition products, and race essentials. Also, Whalers Village has sports retailers that carry basic running supplies.
How can spectators watch runners at multiple course locations?
The out-and-back course design on Honoapiilani Highway means spectators can see runners heading out and returning by staying at strategic points along the route. The start/finish area in front of the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort offers the most exciting atmosphere.
