| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| H (°F) | 82 | 83 | 81 | 85 | 82 |
| L (°F) | 68 | 76 | 69 | 76 | 68 |
Awesome start with a firework show that continued as runners crossed the starting line. Recommend staying where you can walk to the start as traffic is tough race morning. Prepare … MORE
Awesome start with a firework show that continued as runners crossed the starting line. Recommend staying where you can walk to the start as traffic is tough race morning. Prepare for humidity and heat but this is a fun race with no time limit. Finisher medal is beautiful.
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I had some low expectations of this race due to some unfavorable reviews that I've read and heard. But, I was pleasantly surprised... Location: Waikiki Beach - lots of tourists, … MORE
I had some low expectations of this race due to some unfavorable reviews that I’ve read and heard. But, I was pleasantly surprised…
Location: Waikiki Beach – lots of tourists, but I didn’t mind. It was fun coming in the winter and seeing everyone on the beach swimming, surfing and walking around with bikinis and swim trunks. So many shops along the strip. I’m not much of a shopper but even I found a few things to purchase. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Expo: In a big convention center but pretty sparse. Plenty of volunteers so no waiting. The thing I liked about it was that there was good race merch so I bought a little more than usual.
Race Start: This race set a record for me waking up at 2am. I was too far from the start to want to walk (2.5mi) but the shuttle pickup was next door. I was worried about not getting on the shuttle from previous years’ reports (and even this year I heard stories of missing the shuttles) , so I got there around 3am and hopped right on, getting to the race at 3:15am with a lot of time to, well, walk around and use the porto-potties a dozen times. The starting area is large, and there are plenty of porto-potties, but my biggest surprise is that there was no hydration or food available, besides some park drinking fountains. Quite surprising for a race this large. The corral system was fine, and, yes, I observed many people in a corral they were not supposed to be in, but I didn’t care as long as they didn’t start walking from the start. The ceremony is long but interesting and different with some Hawaiian traditions thrown in. Fireworks go off when it starts, and yes, several people videoing the fireworks rather than running. The first several miles is just about not tripping over people and watching your step. But this is nothing unique for a big city race. Overall I didn’t have any negative experiences with the congestion.
Race Course: Starting at 5am, it remains dark for a couple of hours. This is good because when the sun comes out it can definitely beat on you. It is well lit and no need for any additional lighting. I found it very beautiful at times, looking at lights on the hills and the ocean as the sun came up. The course goes up hill around mile 8-9 and it is long. And then it goes down some. Going out, the hill is not bad and a welcome change. The course goes out along the coast with very scenic views. I was sight-seeing while running the first 17 miles and even stopped for a couple of pictures. Then the course turns back. For me, it was down to business on the way back, more concentration on keeping my pace, looking at all of the people going out, and keeping my body as cool as possible. The sun is out, and my body starts to feel it. Around mile 23? the hills start again and this time not as easy. I had to do some walking and my legs were struggling. The good part was that around mile 24-25 it is a significant downhill. So even with my worn out legs, the gravity allowed me to keep running. The last half-mile goes flat but you can see the finish line. Seeing that kept me going.
Post race: I was zapped at the end, and needed to sit for a while. There is plenty of space and nice area to just hang and watch people. I was underwhelmed with the food and beverage offerings at the party, and this is my only minor gripe.
The medal is very nice!
I enjoyed this race quite a lot, and enjoyed staying in Waikiki.
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Honolulu Marathon is a well staged event in December and works great as a destination/vacation race. Be prepared for heat and humidity. The start temperatures were in the low 70s … MORE
Honolulu Marathon is a well staged event in December and works great as a destination/vacation race. Be prepared for heat and humidity. The start temperatures were in the low 70s with the day getting into the 80s. The start line is jam packed as other reviewers have pointed out. Expect novice runners to be looking up at the fireworks after the gun instead of paying attention to their direction. Diamond Head is difficult in both directions and the middle part of the course in on an extended (5+miles) 3 lane highway with little shade. Be aware that the convention center has 650 parking spots but can fill up early on Saturday mornings.
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Location: The location is fantastic for a long weekend away. Beautiful beaches and plenty of fun things to do and see. Expo: No frills expo. Plenty of merch to buy. … MORE
Location: The location is fantastic for a long weekend away. Beautiful beaches and plenty of fun things to do and see.
Expo: No frills expo. Plenty of merch to buy. No giveaways or samples that I could see. The bib bag came with the bib and a Honolulu marathon sticker. You get your finisher shirt after the race.
Race: Expect to wake up at 2 AM for the 5AM race. I was glad to see that they had shuttles for participants on the far side of Waikiki (by the zoo). Shuttles run from 2-3:45. I got to the shuttle area around 3 and there were probably 30 buses and shuttles lined up and ready to go. Made it to the race corrals around 3:15 and it was a long wait from there. Ample restrooms. They show water at the start but it was literally a park water fountain. Also, bag drop is at the finish which is a different location (by the zoo). One poor guy had a full bag of things and didn’t have anywhere to check them at the start.
When race time came I moved to the corrals. Total honors system. They assign you a corral color based on expected finish time but nobody was looking so people just went where they wished. They did a Hawaiian prayer and song along with the national anthem which was pretty cool. The fireworks at the start were great! Probably at least 15 minutes of them. The first half of the race if you are towards the front is in the dark (not a bad thing). The second half is in the hot sun. Before the race I took in the race profile and saw a hill around mile 8/9 but I was not prepared for how big that hill would be. The map says 124 feet but it sure felt much higher and longer. Thank goodness it was still dark. The long and short of my race experience is that I was humbled by Honolulu. The sun, heat and humidity really got to me after months of fall/winter training in Michigan. I was about 20 minutes off of my Fall race in Chicago. It was a good experience but make sure you are fully prepped to run in 70-80 degree and humid weather.
Post race: Medal is really nice and shirt is ok quality. They give you a water, banana and Malisada pastry. You can watch your finish on a big screen which is a nice touch.
Other races: the weekend is set up so friends and family can also participate. My husband and I ran the Merrie Mile on Saturday. Fun little mile fun run. All sorts of costumes and antics. After the Merrie Mile a group of Elite runners run. It is amazing to see them run a sub4 minute mile. On the day of the marathon there is a Start to the Park 10k that begins at the same time. If marathons aren’t a thing for your spouse they can run the first 6 with you!
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Very organized run, scenery was amazing but way too many hills back to back for me. Other than that it’s should be a bucket list run for sure. MORE
Very organized run, scenery was amazing but way too many hills back to back for me. Other than that it’s should be a bucket list run for sure.
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The race was definitely more geared towards tourists because most people were not runners (or experienced marathon runners). Most people that did this were walkers because this course has no … MORE
The race was definitely more geared towards tourists because most people were not runners (or experienced marathon runners). Most people that did this were walkers because this course has no time limit. The expo was huge and very nice to walk through! I wish I could’ve used the opportunities by the vendors, but I’m not from Hawaii, so I wouldn’t have been able to return.
The course itself wasn’t bad, but it was mostly flat. It was extremely hot (even at 5 am), so I didn’t enjoy that at all. There really weren’t many spectators, even though Honolulu is a big city. The finish line party was at a big park, so it was nice to relax there and drink coconut milk!
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Aid stations were wonderful and adequately spaced and provided. Beautiful surroundings, amazing atmosphere, and fun finish with the ability to watch yourself cross the finish line via recorded video! MORE
Aid stations were wonderful and adequately spaced and provided. Beautiful surroundings, amazing atmosphere, and fun finish with the ability to watch yourself cross the finish line via recorded video!
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Very Big Race with majority of folks coming from Japan. Big Expo for 3 days. All Merchandize sold by second day with big queues for billing Easy to access start … MORE
Very Big Race with majority of folks coming from Japan.
Big Expo for 3 days. All Merchandize sold by second day with big queues for billing
Easy to access start line from Waikiki
Beautiful course with mercy on weather. On race day it depends on Wind and Hot weather. Enough Aid stations on course but not liked the self service where they are leaving running water all race time.
Post race area fine but too much walking for different areas.
Overall good race to tick off Hi with vacation.
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Note: This was my first marathon, let alone my first “world-class” marathon, so I can’t speak to how this race stacks up against others of its kind. Note: Due to … MORE
Note: This was my first marathon, let alone my first “world-class” marathon, so I can’t speak to how this race stacks up against others of its kind.
Note: Due to a knee injury in October 2022, I completed this race as a walker.
PRODUCTION PROS: The Expo before the race was efficient and orderly; bib pickup only took a few minutes despite how many participants there were. There were a bunch of vendors selling a wide variety of items, and there were Expo specials/discounts on many items. (I purchased three unique racing singlets and a tech hat for about a hundred dollars total: cuter and cheaper than the stock at my local running store in NH.)
The website was very helpful in terms of providing the information we needed to make it to the start line. The race shuttles were double-decker tour buses.
The race itself began with a bang (literally) as the runners were treated to a lengthy fireworks show at the start line. Water, Gatorade, Bathroom, and Medical stations were all present where the course map indicated. Most of the water stations were self-serve, and I used them as opportunities to re-wet my cooling towel. Many stations also had Vaseline, which was a godsend. All the volunteers where cheerful, encouraging, and enthusiastic, even 7+ hours into the event.
PRODUCTION CONS: The front of the “yellow” or 7+hr zone was almost a mile away from the starting line, and it took me 17 minutes to reach the start line after the race began. This is not a complaint against the race, just something to keep in mind if you’re planning to complete this or another large event as a walker/slow runner. A complaint I do have is that all the mile markers appeared to be off by 0.33-0.45 miles FARTHER away than anticipated. Several other runners I encountered noticed this as well. My Garmin watch indicated that I walked 26.98 miles from the START line to the FINISH line. The total distance from my “start spot” to the finish line was 27.5 miles.
COURSE PROS: It was awesome to walk through Honolulu at night, passing several famous landmarks all lit up for the event. The views were beautiful throughout much of the course, and those faster than I had the opportunity to see the sun rise on the beach. Mount Mauna Loa was erupting during the 2022 event, which made my course photos quite unique. I had hiked Diamond Head a couple days before the marathon (highly recommend!), and it was great to see the crater up close as we went around it. It was also really neat to see landmarks on the ground that I’d seen from the summit of DH (such as the lighthouse). The parts of this course that were enjoyable were incredibly enjoyable, and where there were views, they were stunning. Many locals came out to cheer and support, including a drumming team, a local band, and others holding up signs or wearing costumes.
COURSE CONS: Unfortunately, almost half of this out-and-back course was highway during which we had to watch other runners coming back. Walking on the black top was very hot, and there was no shade or scenery for many of the miles. In addition, I’d hoped for more beach than gentrified neighborhoods on this “race in paradise.” One final annoyance is that the bathroom lines were about 15 minutes *each* for the two stops I had to make.
SWAG: The medal for this event is amazing. It’s huge and gold and marks this race as the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon. The finisher shirt for this year is a gorgeous, universally-flattering green, with a beautiful logo design. For looks alone, these are by far my favorite two pieces of race swag. They did not give out shell necklaces as they had in previous years for this event. The only other “freebie” from the race pack was a large sticker commemorating the 50th anniversary of the race, which we received when we picked up our bibs.
AFTER-PARTY: Despite my slow finish time, the finisher area was still lively with enthusiastic staff. The medal volunteers were very smiley and congratulatory. The production unfortunately ran out of malasadas before I finished the race, so I went to Leonard’s Bakery the next morning on a local’s recommendation to get some. (AMAZING!) At the finish area, the production provided water, cold cans of coconut water, a banana, and one package of wafer cookies. It was a bit of a walk to find the finisher shirts, but they were very well-organized with different lines for men/women and each size, which made picking up my shirt very efficient. They had a huge video screen with the finish line video running on a 40-minute delay, so there was plenty of time to hydrate, refuel, change, and recover with legs up before walking over to the screen to watch my finish. They didn’t have any music or finish line events/attractions, but this made the park less crowded and noisy, which I appreciated.
OVERALL: For my first marathon, I don’t think I could have done better than this race. The lack of time limit made it a stress-free experience even knowing I’d have to walk every step, and the “aloha spirit” was present from the other runners, spectator/supporters, and volunteers. Overall, this was a great event, and if I lived in Hawai’i I’d probably do it every year. Mahalo!
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This race was beautiful, because it's in hawaii. That was the only positive that I would give the race. The expo was very small and had very little parking. The … MORE
This race was beautiful, because it’s in hawaii. That was the only positive that I would give the race. The expo was very small and had very little parking. The race start was a few miles from my hotel so I decided to take the shuttle. There was a mile long line of people that had the same idea as me. The race starts at 5 so at 430 having not even made it to the halfway point of the line (got there at 345) I got an uber. Once I got there the staging area was divided parallel to the course with several sets of barricades and the outhouses on the opposite side of me. I decided to wait till I saw one on the course. Well, the first set of toilets were all locked, so I wasn’t able to drop one till between mile 5 and 6. The views were great tho, and I hit sunrise right at the diamond head overlook so that was awesome. Water was staged very evenly and plentifully along with Gatorade. There was 1 gel station along the course. Finally, the finish corral was very disorganized and sprawling with various club tents. You had to leave the finishers area to get your shirt (a very rough fabric shirt that I will not be wearing) and a donut and water. Overall, the race isn’t organized, and you don’t really get much for doing it, but you are in Hawaii, so that makes up for it!
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This was my first marathon experience, but I can’t imagine other races are so casual with starts. The line up was so clogged with walkers, elderly, and families with young … MORE
This was my first marathon experience, but I can’t imagine other races are so casual with starts. The line up was so clogged with walkers, elderly, and families with young children who were able to line up and start ahead of actual runners. This created a horrible back-up that lasted the first 5K. At this point, the race is too big to combine 10K traffic with the marathoners (27K runners this year). They should definitely split up the races at this point to facilitate better starts and ensure everyone starts according to ability (ie: legitimate runners should not have to bob and weave around old folks on crutches and young children—it’s dangerous for everyone!).
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Great race, the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu marathon. They had 50 years to get it right and they sure did. Plenty of volunteers to guide you along your way … MORE
Great race, the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu marathon. They had 50 years to get it right and they sure did. Plenty of volunteers to guide you along your way to great fireworks display at the store. Along the way many beautiful Christmas decorations as the rain started at 5 AM and everything was lit up beautifully. And then we got to Diamondhead and were greeted with an absolutely stunning sunrise. The rest of the colors just continued with all the wonderful volunteers, plenty of support and some really wonderful people made a great day
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The Kalakaua Merrie Mile (the official name) is held Saturday Morning, the day before the marathon. It has a unique system, where everyone runs until the last finisher is done, … MORE
The Kalakaua Merrie Mile (the official name) is held Saturday Morning, the day before the marathon. It has a unique system, where everyone runs until the last finisher is done, and only then do they start the Elite race. the women have a 30 second head start before the men, and if they beat a man, they get $5,000 (I think). it has been very close, but so far the men have won it. several runners are sub-4, so it is a very exciting race to watch. for those running it, there is a hairpin U-turn at the halfway mark, so practice that if you are competing. also, start at the front of your wave if you want to run fast, so you don’t get blocked. since the marathon has no time limit, you can run the mile as hard as you want!
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Running in Hawaii is a dream. The scenery and just being in Hawaii is unparalleled. Don't be fooled, the humidity and UV index are no joke. Luckily this race starts … MORE
Running in Hawaii is a dream. The scenery and just being in Hawaii is unparalleled. Don’t be fooled, the humidity and UV index are no joke. Luckily this race starts at 5AM so the first two hours are run in the dark which helps to keep you cool in the beginning. It is also rainy season so the on and off drizzle in the mornings is a godsend. Once the sun appears, it gets significantly more challenging.
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First time post-COVID for the race meant that it was not operating at 'full strength' and didnt feel fully managed/coordinated. Planning to run again in 2022 and hoping that everything … MORE
First time post-COVID for the race meant that it was not operating at ‘full strength’ and didnt feel fully managed/coordinated. Planning to run again in 2022 and hoping that everything will be back to ‘normal’. Coming from the mainland I wasn’t fully prepared for how much my toes/feet would swell from the humidity–I think I lost 5 of 10 toenails from the run. The uphill going up Diamond Head is gradual and not as hard as you would think, coming at mile 22ish.
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I am an Oahu local that has enjoyed participating in this race the past couple years, it was the first marathon I ever did and inspired me to keep going … MORE
I am an Oahu local that has enjoyed participating in this race the past couple years, it was the first marathon I ever did and inspired me to keep going with my running. There is so much to enjoy at the Honolulu Marathon and there is a reason why it’s one of the most popular marathon races in the US. I cant wait to run this one again this year. I am hoping that it will be more support on the course in 2022, last year there were limited water stations past mile 8 with cups and runners that wanted to drink had to cup their hands under a pipe water system, it was a bit of a mess. I chalk this up to there being less runners last year because of COVID but really hoping the water cups come back. The health expo and finishers festival was also scaled back in 2021 I am hoping that COVID concerns will continue to dissipate and there can be a greater turn out in 2022.
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This was the first iteration of the race since the pandemic, and was well-organized with plenty of informative emails beforehand. The expo was tiny but this was due to pandemic … MORE
This was the first iteration of the race since the pandemic, and was well-organized with plenty of informative emails beforehand. The expo was tiny but this was due to pandemic precautions. The race starts early, which is great, and takes you through downtown with Christmas lights. The course weaves along ocean views and then turns inland; there is a long out-and-back that is flat but can be mentally challenging. The last few miles cover the same highway with the ocean views, which is spectacular; there is a hill at miles 24-25. The course support with water was excellent, with a combination of self-serve and fully supported water stops (don’t get your shoes wet at the self-serve stations!); there were also adequate port-a-pots along the route and one station had energy gel around mile 17ish. Course entertainment was lacking, but again, this was due to pandemic modifications–there were a few DJs and live bands out, but otherwise entertainment was sparse. The finish was great, back in Waikiki, and a fresh malasada post-race along with the usual water and banana. All-in-all a lovely race for HI with the expected humidity. I would enjoy doing it again when it is has all of the pre-pandemic amenitities.
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Signed up for the 1 mile run, the 10k run and the marathon to complete the big kahuna challenge for the extra swag. Def a good combo. Would recommend to … MORE
Signed up for the 1 mile run, the 10k run and the marathon to complete the big kahuna challenge for the extra swag. Def a good combo. Would recommend to anyone else. Wake up early because it is a bitch to park for the start.
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- you think, oh hawaii, it'll be the most gorgeous race ever. you run through waikiki in the dark, then run through gentrified neighborhoods and strip malls. barely see the … MORE
– you think, oh hawaii, it’ll be the most gorgeous race ever. you run through waikiki in the dark, then run through gentrified neighborhoods and strip malls. barely see the beach at all during the course.
– very humid
– i did like the international feel to the race though. a lot of japanese tourists running the race, which added a great unique flavor to the race.
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Although it was my first marathon, I ran a couple of half marathons before this and found that this race was the most disorganized one. The race starts at Ala … MORE
Although it was my first marathon, I ran a couple of half marathons before this and found that this race was the most disorganized one.
The race starts at Ala Moana Park and finishes at Kapiolani Park. There was Bus Service from the goal to the start, but the line was very long and we almost missed the start time.
There was no clothing check-in at the start area on Race Day – it was only on the day before from 10 am to 5 pm at Kapiolani.
At Ala Moana, portable restrooms were also mess. So many people lined up and the area was too dark to see anything inside the toilet.
It was instructed to stage in the corresponding banner area designated by bib color (by estimated goal time), but many were not following the rule. In fact, the staging area was so crowded, it was almost impossible to move from the entrance to the appropriate banner area.
There were no time pacers.
The first 10 K was from Waikiki to Downtown, before dawn. I saw some Christmas illuminations, but nothing was impressive. Since both Marathon and 10 K start from the same place at the same time (and as mentioned above slow runners and “walkers” were at up-front), the course was very crowded by runners/walkers of different pace.
The second 10K around Diamond Head was not so much the challenge, but the following 15 K on the highway was very long – I saw many people walking here. The last 5 K again around Diamond Head was supper challenging due to hill and hot and humid weather; the area was supposed to be with superb scenery, but I could not enjoy it very much.
Aid stations were plenty (16 stations) with water, Gatorade, and occasional gels, but I still got dehydrated.
The finish area was not organized either. Although I enjoyed Malasadas and banana, not much help was provided. It was not easy to find the finisher’s T-shirt distribution tent. Probably, there was enough support for Japanese runners/walkers who attended the race through private tours, but I felt official support from the organizer was minimal.
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Second Half got Hot
Awesome start with a firework show that continued as runners crossed the starting line. Recommend staying where you can walk to the start as traffic is tough race morning. Prepare … MORE
Awesome start with a firework show that continued as runners crossed the starting line. Recommend staying where you can walk to the start as traffic is tough race morning. Prepare for humidity and heat but this is a fun race with no time limit. Finisher medal is beautiful.
Scenic and memorable
I had some low expectations of this race due to some unfavorable reviews that I've read and heard. But, I was pleasantly surprised... Location: Waikiki Beach - lots of tourists, … MORE
I had some low expectations of this race due to some unfavorable reviews that I’ve read and heard. But, I was pleasantly surprised…
Location: Waikiki Beach – lots of tourists, but I didn’t mind. It was fun coming in the winter and seeing everyone on the beach swimming, surfing and walking around with bikinis and swim trunks. So many shops along the strip. I’m not much of a shopper but even I found a few things to purchase. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Expo: In a big convention center but pretty sparse. Plenty of volunteers so no waiting. The thing I liked about it was that there was good race merch so I bought a little more than usual.
Race Start: This race set a record for me waking up at 2am. I was too far from the start to want to walk (2.5mi) but the shuttle pickup was next door. I was worried about not getting on the shuttle from previous years’ reports (and even this year I heard stories of missing the shuttles) , so I got there around 3am and hopped right on, getting to the race at 3:15am with a lot of time to, well, walk around and use the porto-potties a dozen times. The starting area is large, and there are plenty of porto-potties, but my biggest surprise is that there was no hydration or food available, besides some park drinking fountains. Quite surprising for a race this large. The corral system was fine, and, yes, I observed many people in a corral they were not supposed to be in, but I didn’t care as long as they didn’t start walking from the start. The ceremony is long but interesting and different with some Hawaiian traditions thrown in. Fireworks go off when it starts, and yes, several people videoing the fireworks rather than running. The first several miles is just about not tripping over people and watching your step. But this is nothing unique for a big city race. Overall I didn’t have any negative experiences with the congestion.
Race Course: Starting at 5am, it remains dark for a couple of hours. This is good because when the sun comes out it can definitely beat on you. It is well lit and no need for any additional lighting. I found it very beautiful at times, looking at lights on the hills and the ocean as the sun came up. The course goes up hill around mile 8-9 and it is long. And then it goes down some. Going out, the hill is not bad and a welcome change. The course goes out along the coast with very scenic views. I was sight-seeing while running the first 17 miles and even stopped for a couple of pictures. Then the course turns back. For me, it was down to business on the way back, more concentration on keeping my pace, looking at all of the people going out, and keeping my body as cool as possible. The sun is out, and my body starts to feel it. Around mile 23? the hills start again and this time not as easy. I had to do some walking and my legs were struggling. The good part was that around mile 24-25 it is a significant downhill. So even with my worn out legs, the gravity allowed me to keep running. The last half-mile goes flat but you can see the finish line. Seeing that kept me going.
Post race: I was zapped at the end, and needed to sit for a while. There is plenty of space and nice area to just hang and watch people. I was underwhelmed with the food and beverage offerings at the party, and this is my only minor gripe.
The medal is very nice!
I enjoyed this race quite a lot, and enjoyed staying in Waikiki.
Hot and humid race to be expected
Honolulu Marathon is a well staged event in December and works great as a destination/vacation race. Be prepared for heat and humidity. The start temperatures were in the low 70s … MORE
Honolulu Marathon is a well staged event in December and works great as a destination/vacation race. Be prepared for heat and humidity. The start temperatures were in the low 70s with the day getting into the 80s. The start line is jam packed as other reviewers have pointed out. Expect novice runners to be looking up at the fireworks after the gun instead of paying attention to their direction. Diamond Head is difficult in both directions and the middle part of the course in on an extended (5+miles) 3 lane highway with little shade. Be aware that the convention center has 650 parking spots but can fill up early on Saturday mornings.
Tough and Humbling Race
Location: The location is fantastic for a long weekend away. Beautiful beaches and plenty of fun things to do and see. Expo: No frills expo. Plenty of merch to buy. … MORE
Location: The location is fantastic for a long weekend away. Beautiful beaches and plenty of fun things to do and see.
Expo: No frills expo. Plenty of merch to buy. No giveaways or samples that I could see. The bib bag came with the bib and a Honolulu marathon sticker. You get your finisher shirt after the race.
Race: Expect to wake up at 2 AM for the 5AM race. I was glad to see that they had shuttles for participants on the far side of Waikiki (by the zoo). Shuttles run from 2-3:45. I got to the shuttle area around 3 and there were probably 30 buses and shuttles lined up and ready to go. Made it to the race corrals around 3:15 and it was a long wait from there. Ample restrooms. They show water at the start but it was literally a park water fountain. Also, bag drop is at the finish which is a different location (by the zoo). One poor guy had a full bag of things and didn’t have anywhere to check them at the start.
When race time came I moved to the corrals. Total honors system. They assign you a corral color based on expected finish time but nobody was looking so people just went where they wished. They did a Hawaiian prayer and song along with the national anthem which was pretty cool. The fireworks at the start were great! Probably at least 15 minutes of them. The first half of the race if you are towards the front is in the dark (not a bad thing). The second half is in the hot sun. Before the race I took in the race profile and saw a hill around mile 8/9 but I was not prepared for how big that hill would be. The map says 124 feet but it sure felt much higher and longer. Thank goodness it was still dark. The long and short of my race experience is that I was humbled by Honolulu. The sun, heat and humidity really got to me after months of fall/winter training in Michigan. I was about 20 minutes off of my Fall race in Chicago. It was a good experience but make sure you are fully prepped to run in 70-80 degree and humid weather.
Post race: Medal is really nice and shirt is ok quality. They give you a water, banana and Malisada pastry. You can watch your finish on a big screen which is a nice touch.
Other races: the weekend is set up so friends and family can also participate. My husband and I ran the Merrie Mile on Saturday. Fun little mile fun run. All sorts of costumes and antics. After the Merrie Mile a group of Elite runners run. It is amazing to see them run a sub4 minute mile. On the day of the marathon there is a Start to the Park 10k that begins at the same time. If marathons aren’t a thing for your spouse they can run the first 6 with you!
Way to many hills 😂
Very organized run, scenery was amazing but way too many hills back to back for me. Other than that it’s should be a bucket list run for sure. MORE
Very organized run, scenery was amazing but way too many hills back to back for me. Other than that it’s should be a bucket list run for sure.
Very Touristy
The race was definitely more geared towards tourists because most people were not runners (or experienced marathon runners). Most people that did this were walkers because this course has no … MORE
The race was definitely more geared towards tourists because most people were not runners (or experienced marathon runners). Most people that did this were walkers because this course has no time limit. The expo was huge and very nice to walk through! I wish I could’ve used the opportunities by the vendors, but I’m not from Hawaii, so I wouldn’t have been able to return.
The course itself wasn’t bad, but it was mostly flat. It was extremely hot (even at 5 am), so I didn’t enjoy that at all. There really weren’t many spectators, even though Honolulu is a big city. The finish line party was at a big park, so it was nice to relax there and drink coconut milk!
My first marathon ever and I loved it!
Aid stations were wonderful and adequately spaced and provided. Beautiful surroundings, amazing atmosphere, and fun finish with the ability to watch yourself cross the finish line via recorded video! MORE
Aid stations were wonderful and adequately spaced and provided. Beautiful surroundings, amazing atmosphere, and fun finish with the ability to watch yourself cross the finish line via recorded video!
Big Race, Beautiful City to Run
Very Big Race with majority of folks coming from Japan. Big Expo for 3 days. All Merchandize sold by second day with big queues for billing Easy to access start … MORE
Very Big Race with majority of folks coming from Japan.
Big Expo for 3 days. All Merchandize sold by second day with big queues for billing
Easy to access start line from Waikiki
Beautiful course with mercy on weather. On race day it depends on Wind and Hot weather. Enough Aid stations on course but not liked the self service where they are leaving running water all race time.
Post race area fine but too much walking for different areas.
Overall good race to tick off Hi with vacation.
Aloha Spirit
Note: This was my first marathon, let alone my first “world-class” marathon, so I can’t speak to how this race stacks up against others of its kind. Note: Due to … MORE
Note: This was my first marathon, let alone my first “world-class” marathon, so I can’t speak to how this race stacks up against others of its kind.
Note: Due to a knee injury in October 2022, I completed this race as a walker.
PRODUCTION PROS: The Expo before the race was efficient and orderly; bib pickup only took a few minutes despite how many participants there were. There were a bunch of vendors selling a wide variety of items, and there were Expo specials/discounts on many items. (I purchased three unique racing singlets and a tech hat for about a hundred dollars total: cuter and cheaper than the stock at my local running store in NH.)
The website was very helpful in terms of providing the information we needed to make it to the start line. The race shuttles were double-decker tour buses.
The race itself began with a bang (literally) as the runners were treated to a lengthy fireworks show at the start line. Water, Gatorade, Bathroom, and Medical stations were all present where the course map indicated. Most of the water stations were self-serve, and I used them as opportunities to re-wet my cooling towel. Many stations also had Vaseline, which was a godsend. All the volunteers where cheerful, encouraging, and enthusiastic, even 7+ hours into the event.
PRODUCTION CONS: The front of the “yellow” or 7+hr zone was almost a mile away from the starting line, and it took me 17 minutes to reach the start line after the race began. This is not a complaint against the race, just something to keep in mind if you’re planning to complete this or another large event as a walker/slow runner. A complaint I do have is that all the mile markers appeared to be off by 0.33-0.45 miles FARTHER away than anticipated. Several other runners I encountered noticed this as well. My Garmin watch indicated that I walked 26.98 miles from the START line to the FINISH line. The total distance from my “start spot” to the finish line was 27.5 miles.
COURSE PROS: It was awesome to walk through Honolulu at night, passing several famous landmarks all lit up for the event. The views were beautiful throughout much of the course, and those faster than I had the opportunity to see the sun rise on the beach. Mount Mauna Loa was erupting during the 2022 event, which made my course photos quite unique. I had hiked Diamond Head a couple days before the marathon (highly recommend!), and it was great to see the crater up close as we went around it. It was also really neat to see landmarks on the ground that I’d seen from the summit of DH (such as the lighthouse). The parts of this course that were enjoyable were incredibly enjoyable, and where there were views, they were stunning. Many locals came out to cheer and support, including a drumming team, a local band, and others holding up signs or wearing costumes.
COURSE CONS: Unfortunately, almost half of this out-and-back course was highway during which we had to watch other runners coming back. Walking on the black top was very hot, and there was no shade or scenery for many of the miles. In addition, I’d hoped for more beach than gentrified neighborhoods on this “race in paradise.” One final annoyance is that the bathroom lines were about 15 minutes *each* for the two stops I had to make.
SWAG: The medal for this event is amazing. It’s huge and gold and marks this race as the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon. The finisher shirt for this year is a gorgeous, universally-flattering green, with a beautiful logo design. For looks alone, these are by far my favorite two pieces of race swag. They did not give out shell necklaces as they had in previous years for this event. The only other “freebie” from the race pack was a large sticker commemorating the 50th anniversary of the race, which we received when we picked up our bibs.
AFTER-PARTY: Despite my slow finish time, the finisher area was still lively with enthusiastic staff. The medal volunteers were very smiley and congratulatory. The production unfortunately ran out of malasadas before I finished the race, so I went to Leonard’s Bakery the next morning on a local’s recommendation to get some. (AMAZING!) At the finish area, the production provided water, cold cans of coconut water, a banana, and one package of wafer cookies. It was a bit of a walk to find the finisher shirts, but they were very well-organized with different lines for men/women and each size, which made picking up my shirt very efficient. They had a huge video screen with the finish line video running on a 40-minute delay, so there was plenty of time to hydrate, refuel, change, and recover with legs up before walking over to the screen to watch my finish. They didn’t have any music or finish line events/attractions, but this made the park less crowded and noisy, which I appreciated.
OVERALL: For my first marathon, I don’t think I could have done better than this race. The lack of time limit made it a stress-free experience even knowing I’d have to walk every step, and the “aloha spirit” was present from the other runners, spectator/supporters, and volunteers. Overall, this was a great event, and if I lived in Hawai’i I’d probably do it every year. Mahalo!
Very Unorganized but you are in Hawaii
This race was beautiful, because it's in hawaii. That was the only positive that I would give the race. The expo was very small and had very little parking. The … MORE
This race was beautiful, because it’s in hawaii. That was the only positive that I would give the race. The expo was very small and had very little parking. The race start was a few miles from my hotel so I decided to take the shuttle. There was a mile long line of people that had the same idea as me. The race starts at 5 so at 430 having not even made it to the halfway point of the line (got there at 345) I got an uber. Once I got there the staging area was divided parallel to the course with several sets of barricades and the outhouses on the opposite side of me. I decided to wait till I saw one on the course. Well, the first set of toilets were all locked, so I wasn’t able to drop one till between mile 5 and 6. The views were great tho, and I hit sunrise right at the diamond head overlook so that was awesome. Water was staged very evenly and plentifully along with Gatorade. There was 1 gel station along the course. Finally, the finish corral was very disorganized and sprawling with various club tents. You had to leave the finishers area to get your shirt (a very rough fabric shirt that I will not be wearing) and a donut and water. Overall, the race isn’t organized, and you don’t really get much for doing it, but you are in Hawaii, so that makes up for it!
Way too busy, disorganized start
This was my first marathon experience, but I can’t imagine other races are so casual with starts. The line up was so clogged with walkers, elderly, and families with young … MORE
This was my first marathon experience, but I can’t imagine other races are so casual with starts. The line up was so clogged with walkers, elderly, and families with young children who were able to line up and start ahead of actual runners. This created a horrible back-up that lasted the first 5K. At this point, the race is too big to combine 10K traffic with the marathoners (27K runners this year). They should definitely split up the races at this point to facilitate better starts and ensure everyone starts according to ability (ie: legitimate runners should not have to bob and weave around old folks on crutches and young children—it’s dangerous for everyone!).
Mahalo!
Great race, the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu marathon. They had 50 years to get it right and they sure did. Plenty of volunteers to guide you along your way … MORE
Great race, the 50th anniversary of the Honolulu marathon. They had 50 years to get it right and they sure did. Plenty of volunteers to guide you along your way to great fireworks display at the store. Along the way many beautiful Christmas decorations as the rain started at 5 AM and everything was lit up beautifully. And then we got to Diamondhead and were greeted with an absolutely stunning sunrise. The rest of the colors just continued with all the wonderful volunteers, plenty of support and some really wonderful people made a great day
Love the Elite Race after the Normal one
The Kalakaua Merrie Mile (the official name) is held Saturday Morning, the day before the marathon. It has a unique system, where everyone runs until the last finisher is done, … MORE
The Kalakaua Merrie Mile (the official name) is held Saturday Morning, the day before the marathon. It has a unique system, where everyone runs until the last finisher is done, and only then do they start the Elite race. the women have a 30 second head start before the men, and if they beat a man, they get $5,000 (I think). it has been very close, but so far the men have won it. several runners are sub-4, so it is a very exciting race to watch. for those running it, there is a hairpin U-turn at the halfway mark, so practice that if you are competing. also, start at the front of your wave if you want to run fast, so you don’t get blocked. since the marathon has no time limit, you can run the mile as hard as you want!
Fairytale race in a fairytale place!
Running in Hawaii is a dream. The scenery and just being in Hawaii is unparalleled. Don't be fooled, the humidity and UV index are no joke. Luckily this race starts … MORE
Running in Hawaii is a dream. The scenery and just being in Hawaii is unparalleled. Don’t be fooled, the humidity and UV index are no joke. Luckily this race starts at 5AM so the first two hours are run in the dark which helps to keep you cool in the beginning. It is also rainy season so the on and off drizzle in the mornings is a godsend. Once the sun appears, it gets significantly more challenging.
Watch Your Toes!
First time post-COVID for the race meant that it was not operating at 'full strength' and didnt feel fully managed/coordinated. Planning to run again in 2022 and hoping that everything … MORE
First time post-COVID for the race meant that it was not operating at ‘full strength’ and didnt feel fully managed/coordinated. Planning to run again in 2022 and hoping that everything will be back to ‘normal’. Coming from the mainland I wasn’t fully prepared for how much my toes/feet would swell from the humidity–I think I lost 5 of 10 toenails from the run. The uphill going up Diamond Head is gradual and not as hard as you would think, coming at mile 22ish.
Beautiful Run To Remember
I am an Oahu local that has enjoyed participating in this race the past couple years, it was the first marathon I ever did and inspired me to keep going … MORE
I am an Oahu local that has enjoyed participating in this race the past couple years, it was the first marathon I ever did and inspired me to keep going with my running. There is so much to enjoy at the Honolulu Marathon and there is a reason why it’s one of the most popular marathon races in the US. I cant wait to run this one again this year. I am hoping that it will be more support on the course in 2022, last year there were limited water stations past mile 8 with cups and runners that wanted to drink had to cup their hands under a pipe water system, it was a bit of a mess. I chalk this up to there being less runners last year because of COVID but really hoping the water cups come back. The health expo and finishers festival was also scaled back in 2021 I am hoping that COVID concerns will continue to dissipate and there can be a greater turn out in 2022.
Lovely views with hills and humidity
This was the first iteration of the race since the pandemic, and was well-organized with plenty of informative emails beforehand. The expo was tiny but this was due to pandemic … MORE
This was the first iteration of the race since the pandemic, and was well-organized with plenty of informative emails beforehand. The expo was tiny but this was due to pandemic precautions. The race starts early, which is great, and takes you through downtown with Christmas lights. The course weaves along ocean views and then turns inland; there is a long out-and-back that is flat but can be mentally challenging. The last few miles cover the same highway with the ocean views, which is spectacular; there is a hill at miles 24-25. The course support with water was excellent, with a combination of self-serve and fully supported water stops (don’t get your shoes wet at the self-serve stations!); there were also adequate port-a-pots along the route and one station had energy gel around mile 17ish. Course entertainment was lacking, but again, this was due to pandemic modifications–there were a few DJs and live bands out, but otherwise entertainment was sparse. The finish was great, back in Waikiki, and a fresh malasada post-race along with the usual water and banana. All-in-all a lovely race for HI with the expected humidity. I would enjoy doing it again when it is has all of the pre-pandemic amenitities.
the big kahuna challenge
Signed up for the 1 mile run, the 10k run and the marathon to complete the big kahuna challenge for the extra swag. Def a good combo. Would recommend to … MORE
Signed up for the 1 mile run, the 10k run and the marathon to complete the big kahuna challenge for the extra swag. Def a good combo. Would recommend to anyone else. Wake up early because it is a bitch to park for the start.
little disappointing
- you think, oh hawaii, it'll be the most gorgeous race ever. you run through waikiki in the dark, then run through gentrified neighborhoods and strip malls. barely see the … MORE
– you think, oh hawaii, it’ll be the most gorgeous race ever. you run through waikiki in the dark, then run through gentrified neighborhoods and strip malls. barely see the beach at all during the course.
– very humid
– i did like the international feel to the race though. a lot of japanese tourists running the race, which added a great unique flavor to the race.
Hot, humid, and crowded
Although it was my first marathon, I ran a couple of half marathons before this and found that this race was the most disorganized one. The race starts at Ala … MORE
Although it was my first marathon, I ran a couple of half marathons before this and found that this race was the most disorganized one.
The race starts at Ala Moana Park and finishes at Kapiolani Park. There was Bus Service from the goal to the start, but the line was very long and we almost missed the start time.
There was no clothing check-in at the start area on Race Day – it was only on the day before from 10 am to 5 pm at Kapiolani.
At Ala Moana, portable restrooms were also mess. So many people lined up and the area was too dark to see anything inside the toilet.
It was instructed to stage in the corresponding banner area designated by bib color (by estimated goal time), but many were not following the rule. In fact, the staging area was so crowded, it was almost impossible to move from the entrance to the appropriate banner area.
There were no time pacers.
The first 10 K was from Waikiki to Downtown, before dawn. I saw some Christmas illuminations, but nothing was impressive. Since both Marathon and 10 K start from the same place at the same time (and as mentioned above slow runners and “walkers” were at up-front), the course was very crowded by runners/walkers of different pace.
The second 10K around Diamond Head was not so much the challenge, but the following 15 K on the highway was very long – I saw many people walking here. The last 5 K again around Diamond Head was supper challenging due to hill and hot and humid weather; the area was supposed to be with superb scenery, but I could not enjoy it very much.
Aid stations were plenty (16 stations) with water, Gatorade, and occasional gels, but I still got dehydrated.
The finish area was not organized either. Although I enjoyed Malasadas and banana, not much help was provided. It was not easy to find the finisher’s T-shirt distribution tent. Probably, there was enough support for Japanese runners/walkers who attended the race through private tours, but I felt official support from the organizer was minimal.