LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A California businessman and a Kaua'i-based event promoter are planning a Kaua'i marathon and half-marathon for Sept. 6, 2009.

Event founder Jeff Sacchini is a runner who lives in Modesto, Calif., and owns property on Kaua'i.

"He hasn't put on races before. That's why he brought me into it, based on my experience with the Maui Marathon and other events," said Bob Craven, Kaua'i Marathon co-race director.

Craven was race director for the Maui Marathon from 1995 to 2006, a period in which participation increased from 330 runners to a peak of almost 4,000, he said.

Other events Craven has produced include the Maui Film Festival and a visit to Maui by the Dalai Lama, he said.

The Kaua'i Marathon being planned is not connected to a small marathon held here a few years ago, Craven said.

The promoters are hoping to attract up to 1,500 participants for the races' first year, Craven said. The event will be advertised in national running publications over the next few months.

Both the half and full marathons will start on Po'ipu Road, take the Po'ipu-Koloa bypass road to Maluhia (tree tunnel) Road, then go along Kaumuali'i Highway west to 'Oma'o. From there, half-marathoners will take 'Oma'o Road to Koloa Road, then along the new western bypass road (Ala Kalanikaumaka) to the Sheraton Kaua'i Resort, which is race headquarters, Craven said.

Full marathoners will continue up Koloa Road to Kalaheo, then reverse along Koloa Road to Po'ipu on the same course as the half-marathoners.

The courses will be certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and by USA Track and Field, Craven said.

Course maps should be posted on www.thekauaimarathon.com soon, Craven said.

The event Web site says pre-registration for the event will be $175 ($70 for kama'aina) for the full marathon, with increases in price as the race date gets closer.