With only nine weeks to go before the 2007 Maui Marathon on September 16th, the excitement is growing. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on a few new developments.

Our registration numbers are up and we expect the half marathon to close out in early September. If you are considering entering the half marathon, I encourage you to register soon.

We are delighted to welcome back Jacob Rotich, the defending champion, who will be running the Maui Marathon for the fourth time in as many years. His previous three outings have all resulted in victories. Read more about Jacob further down in this newsletter.

Bart Yasso, Runner's World's Chief Running Officer, is also returning (can you blame him?) and will inspire and entertain you with first-hand accounts of some of marathoning's greatest adventures. Check back for his seminar date, time and place.

We have just announced a new "Training Tee" and other new merchandise which should inspire you during your final preparations. The tee will be available online after July 10, 2007.

Hopefully your training is progressing as planned and I sincerely hope that your experience at the Maui Marathon weekend events is the best it can be. I look forward to seeing you in paradise.
Mahalo
Bill Burke

The confirmation lists were updated on 7/1/07 for the 2007 Maui Marathon, Maui Half Marathon, Maui Tacos 5K and the world famous Carbo Luau for all entries received through 6/28/07. See if your name is listed.

If you registered prior to 6/28/07 and do not see your name on the list, send an email to info@mauimarathon.com with your details (name, address, phone, type of entry and date entered). This is especially true if you sent in a hard copy entry after the 2006 Maui Marathon or have a 2006/2007 rollover. Also check out our race weekend FAQ page so that you know the whens and wheres of everything important happening from Friday thorugh Monday.

New medals for 2007 have just been announced. You can have a close-up look at the 2007 marathon and half marathon medals as well as all the other prizes and awards on our web site.

The Maui Marathon and Half Marathon is pleased to welcome Joints in Motion to Maui. Joints in Motion is an athletic training and fundraising program benefiting the Arthritis Foundation.

On behalf of the Arthritis Foundation, participants raise funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation's number one cause of disability. Participants, in return, receive 18 - 20 weeks of individualized training to run or walk a marathon in exciting locations. They also enjoy the inspiration of group training environment; receive nutritional information, injury prevention counseling and the opportunity to help the nearly 46 million American adults plus 300,000 children with some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

Joints in motion - get moving today - to change your life ... (quote from JIM past participant)

Aloha Joints in Motion participants!

Now that you have committed to your 26.2 or 13.1-mile goal in paradise, your next step is find the perfect travel arrangements and accommodations for you and your cheering squad.

Marathon Tours & Travel, the official travel agency, invites you to enjoy Hawaiian hospitality at The Westin Maui, race headquarters. Take advantage of special rates offered exclusively through Marathon Tours including the "5th or 10th Night Free." The hotel is located at the finish line. Bus transportation will be provided to the race start in Kahului.

Packages rates are available from all cities for any length of stay and at other hotels. Please email Marathon Tours for a quote with your details or for further information call 800-444-4097 (9:00 am- 5:30 pm EDT.) Or visit www.marathontours.com/maui for more information

Aloha from the members of Maui Visitors Bureau and the people of Maui's Magical Isles: Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i

Here at VisitMaui.com, learn about our native Hawaiian culture along with the beauty, fun and excitement of our islands.

The Magic Isles are an adventurer's delight. Whether it's a vigorous hike through Haleakala Crater, a comfortable afternoon of whale watching on a luxurious and stable ocean-going vessel, snorkeling over an incredible tropical reef, or gliding through the air in a state-of-the-art helicopter, Maui's activity providers have everything you need to fully enjoy our Islands' unique natural environment.

E kipa mai! Welcome! Sit back, relax and acquaint yourself with the magic of our islands.

We have just announced new 2007 Maui merchandise, including training tees and visors.

Order now while stocks are available.

Take the first step to getting in the best shape of your life by beginning your training program today. Really cool training programs for the marathon, half marathon and 5K are available here through our friends at www.coolrunning.com.

By now with only nine weeks to go you should be well and truly into your marathon or half marathon training programs. Take a moment and check your progress against the schedule you are using. Make any necessary adjustments but if you are a little behind schedule, do not try to catch up by increasing your workouts by more than 10% a week. This can only lead to injury.

No runner has ever won four consecutive Maui Marathons in the event's 37-year history. Rotich's Maui best time was 2:28:57 in 2005. It been always nice running in Hawaii and I know the course well. The weather has always been a great challenge but the scenery is the greatest in the world, said Rotich.

A native of Kenya, Rotich now lives in Austin, Texas. He holds an MBA and works as a school systems administrator.

Welcome back Jacob!