Rotich finished with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds, just over four minutes faster than his 2006 time and his closest competitor, much to the delight of his fan club back home in Manor, Texas.

"My cross country kids wanted me to win and I told them, 'No, that's impossible to win all the time,' '' said Rotich to The Maui News.

Well, maybe not impossible.

"Mr. Maui Marathon,'' as he was called shortly after crossing the finish line, took advantage of the cooler temperatures, breaking away from his opponents around the nine-mile mark to become the only man to win the race four times.

"It was a little windy at the beginning compared to last year but coming on the way, it wasn't as hot — I would say maybe three to four degrees cooler,'' he said. "The weather was the biggest factor (with my time).''

Rotich considered trying for the marathon's record time of 2:19.22, set by Eddy Hellebuyck in 1999, but ran into some allergies problems a week before the race.

However, the native Kenyan was simply glad his luggage arrived Saturday afternoon in time for his big performance.

"I made a big mistake checking all of my luggage, so I didn't have anything to run with,'' he said. "I had to borrow running gear (for the Maui Tacos 5K), but it worked out OK.''

Rotich did have a little more company this time around – his wife, Hellen, making her first trip to the island for the marathon, followed him along the course, letting him know how far back the next runner was while cheering him on.

He's also become quite a familiar face to those along the route.

"Several people waved and said my name,'' said Rotich. "It was exciting — it was great to see the people again.''

Rotich was followed by 25-year-old Leighton Katsuda of Kihei, who finished with a time of 2:33:55.

Katsuda, a 1999 Baldwin High School graduate who attended the University of New Mexico, was "just relieved to finish.''

"I tried to do the Maui Marathon last year, but I actually had to drop out,'' he said. "I just wanted to finish, really – when it came down to the last 5K, I was like, 'You're almost there, you're almost there.' ''

He found plenty of encouragement from the aid stations along the way that helped him set a 5:53-mile pace.

"The aid-station people were really energetic and really helped you out along the way — it made you get going a little bit more each time,'' said Katsuda.

Katsuda finished nearly five minutes ahead of third-place men's finisher Jonah Maiyo, who was competing in his first marathon.

"It's not easy,'' he said. "I was thinking just let me go and see where I can finish.''

For the women's marathoners, it was a different story without two-time defending champion Sayuri "Lily'' Kusutani, who ran at Hawai'i Pacific University, in the mix.

But for Julie Doheney, it was a downright shock to find herself at the front of the pack.

"This is awesome, oh my God,'' said a stunned Doheney after walking around for a few minutes following her 3:18.39 finish. "I can't believe it.''

The 27-year-old Kailua resident couldn't keep back a few tears as she was offered congratulations by friends waiting just past the finish line.

Doheney, who registered for the race on Saturday, agreed that the weather was definitely more suitable compared to the Honolulu race she ran in July, but it didn't make the course any shorter.

"We thought we'd run eight minutes and walk 10 seconds, but we missed the first mile marker and I was like, 'I'm just going to run,' '' she said. "You get anxious, like when am I done, because you feel great, and then it's like you don't feel so good ... and then you feel great, and then you're like, 'I want to be done.' ''

But neither Rotich or many of the other runners could ever grow tired of the marathon itself.

"I think this place is getting nicer and nicer every time I come here,'' said Rotich.

For more Maui news and marathon coverage, click here.

Maui Marathon winners

Men

Overall—Jacob Rotich, 2 hours, 29 minutes, 22 seconds

1-19—Patrick Burden, 4:19:47

20-24—Naoki Kakutani, 3:30:46

25-29—Kenichi Shirakata, 2:46:44

30-34—Ian Mortimer, 2:56:17

35-39—Makoto Yamamoto, 2:42:54

40-44—Paul Hopwood, 2:58:48

45-49—Kazuhiko Tanaka, 3:16:24

50-54—Shuichi Mizuno, 3:07:35

55-59—Motoshi Kimura, 3:10:55

60-64—Hiroshi Kogane, 3:04:43

65-69—Kohichi Soya, 4:04:36

70 and over—Patrick Higgins, 4:22:40

Women

Overall—Julie Doheney, 3:18:39

1-19—Jasmine Luna, 5:17:24

20-24—Lorelle Hovsepian, 3:25:38

25-29—Briana Stephen, 3:25:26

30-34—Chantal Li, 3:30:58

35-39—Rika Akashi, 3:27:23

40-44—Sara Clark, 3:30:28

45-49—Elizabeth Edmonds, 3:28:16

50-54—Connie Comiso, 3:55:24

55-59—Valerie Murrah, 4:14:13

60-64—Joy Hampton, 3:48:28

65-69—Linda Adelman, 5:42:25

70 and over—Mathea Allansmith, 7:46:06

Half Marathon

Men—Blake Boldon, 1:14:38