lfm1001

That's because the big dog remains in place. Japan Airlines -- despite bankruptcy -- is still the major sponsor. Jimmy Choo Shoes than 60 percent of the Honolulu Marathon entrants come from Japan, and JAL is who generally gets them here. The number of total runners is down, but just a little. "Maybe a thousand less than last year," Christian Louboutin Turbella Red says. "Within 5 percent (of last year's 23,469 entries). So not that bad, considering the economy. And when the people get here, from an economic impact standpoint, it's good. Spending is up." Especially by the Japanese. As it did last year, the strength of the yen compared with the dollar means more purchasing power here, which translates into happier holidays for Christian Louboutin Two-Tone Platform Slingback businesses. THERE ALSO IS a plus for the local economy due to Nike's exit. As helpful as the swoosh can be with money, gear, celebrity appearances (I'll miss childhood hero Alberto Salazar in particular) and the general power of a ubiquitous brand, it can also suck the air out of a room -- Very Prive Suede Platform Peep-Toe Pumpone as big as the hall in the Hawaii Convention Center that hosts the marathon expo. With its sponsorship, Nike held merchandising rights that in many cases prevented other companies from getting involved. This year's expo, which starts today, features wares from all kinds of brands previously excluded, local and national. Watumull's has returned to do the shirts this year, and has become "the face of the expo," marathon publicist Pat Bigold says. Says Barahal: "Nike did a great job, but it's kind of neat to have a local vendor." ONE LESS big-name sponsor means one less powerful entity to please. Sure, Nike is a loss, but it's a mixed bag, sort of like the lack of state money to support the event, via the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Money from the state might mean the state telling the marathon how to use it.