Kona Marathon
Kailua-Kona, HI
- Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Kona Marathon travels through the heart of Historic Kailua Village and back along scenic Alii Drive. This racecourse will enjoy flats as well as a few rolling hills along the route. The 2025 Kona Marathon races will include the marathon (26.2 miles), Kona Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Kona Quarter … MORE
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Like the song it was Hot, Hot, Hot
End of June and Hawaii = Hot! but I knew that going in. I needed a race for Hawaii and this fit into my calendar the best. Most of the … MORE
End of June and Hawaii = Hot! but I knew that going in. I needed a race for Hawaii and this fit into my calendar the best.
Most of the race is running on an open, main road through lava fields. If it feels like you are running in a desert, you are. The climate for this part of Hawaii is actually classified as arid desert. There were lots of aid stations and a couple of misting stations but you are running on asphalt, no clouds, temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s, and in lava fields so it just felt like the heat was intensified.
Race organization was pretty good. My only complaint was that it is a chip timed race but there was not a starting mat. So your time was based on gun time start but chip finish. There were plenty of mats throughout the course so they certainly could have put one at the start. They have four races: marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and 5K. But they stagger the race starts by 30 minutes so the course wasn’t really crowded.
The course is kind of a weird loop so you run into the sun about half the race and criss cross runners of different races at various times. The shirt is nice and the medal is ok. The expo was nice for a fairly small race with lots of nice extra merchandise options if you are into that.
Best thing about the race, you are in Hawaii. It was a nice vacation race and I really enjoyed my first trip to the big island (volcanoes, black sand beaches, awesome waterfalls). But, if you are worried about great finishing times or PRs you may want to skip this one. If you are like me and just want the finishing medal, it was a decent race on a great vacation.
You're Running in Hawaii
This race was difficult in the fact that the scenery you expect to see while running in Hawaii was not there. Never went by the water and spent about half … MORE
This race was difficult in the fact that the scenery you expect to see while running in Hawaii was not there. Never went by the water and spent about half of the race running through the lava fields. Outside of that it was great. Volunteers were plenty and supplied enough water and Gatorade throughout. (This was my concern going in based on other reviews. It appears the race leadership has addressed that issue.) The only real thing I did not like was where the 5k & quarter marathon turned around onto the half marathon and marathon course. That was very chaotic and with lots of people walking and not looking out for the incoming runners.
The shirt was a wicking race shirt they had women’s and men’s options. They did allow you to switch your shirt at the race if it didn’t fit or you didn’t like a v-neck, etc at the finisher’s area. Shirts ran a little large.
I think this group put on a great race. For me, it was more about running in Hawaii and I wasn’t disappointed except that I never saw the water during my run. The Race Director is great, she makes the race one to remember. I had a question that I submitted to the general email and the race director called me and discussed it. In conversation she inquired as to why I would go all that way to run in Hawaii. I explained my goal of a 1/2 or greater in all 50 states + DC. She told me to notify her in May how many I would have when I finished Hawaii so I did and she told me to find her at the finish. For all runners doing the 50 state challenges (If she knew about it) she had your bib done to signify the number of your half or full (ie #37 for 37th full or #1037 for 37th half), on the towel that they list all runners names they put “Congratulations 37 + my name) and finally she had painted tiles made with an engraved plaque with the race name and the numbered state you had completed. All above what I ever expected in the swag area.
If you find yourself running in Hawaii look this race up and check them out. They also offer a discount sometime in December for $15 off the entrance fee. Just keep an eye out for it during the first tier of pricing.
Hot, hot, hot
I knew that I was going to struggle with the heat at this marathon, but I didn't think it would affect me as much as it did. The marathon started … MORE
I knew that I was going to struggle with the heat at this marathon, but I didn’t think it would affect me as much as it did. The marathon started in the Waikaloa Resort, and the course consisted of two out-and-back sections, one of which was done twice. Both of these had a section along the main highway bordered by nothing but black lava flows. Needless to say, there was no shade on the main highway. I didn’t get fried, but I did hit the wall pretty hard at mile 19. Fortunately, the nearby aid station had Coca Cola and ice, which revived me pretty quickly. The section of the course along the resort was very pretty, but the stark views of the lava fields were beautiful in their own way. I thought this race was very well organized, so I would recommend it, but just be prepared for the heat.
Small town feel on Big Island
You just can't beat the aloha spirit found on the Big Island. This destination race is well-run and has great local support. Yes, the heat and humidity can be an … MORE
You just can’t beat the aloha spirit found on the Big Island. This destination race is well-run and has great local support. Yes, the heat and humidity can be an issue for some, but when you combine it with the chance to run in a beautiful place and head to a white sand beach after you’re done, it is so worth it.
Overall a good experience
I booked a trip to Hawaii; on Maui and then started looking for races; saw that there was a half marathon on Kona and said, why not! Here are the … MORE
I booked a trip to Hawaii; on Maui and then started looking for races; saw that there was a half marathon on Kona and said, why not!
Here are the positives I found about the race:
*Bucketlist~ a lot of this, was to experience a half in Hawaii and to do that was priceless and amazing
*Communication I felt like was decent- not the best that I have seen, but I felt like I had enough information.
*I really like the medals, they were cute
*I liked some of the scenery, but some of it was interesting running along the highway.
*Easy course
*was convenient and easy to get back and to the race start. Liked having packet pickup where we were staying.
Things that were alright or needed improvement:
*More water on the course due to the temperatures
*Starting earlier due to the heat; especially for the marathoners
*the shirts were ok, not bad, just nothing great
*The 5k and shorter races and the merging was a little hard at times
*the resort was really expensive (but then again, it is hawaii)
Beautiful view
Not enough water on the route be sure and take your own water. Loved the misters wish there were more of them. Could see the ocean in a distance and … MORE
Not enough water on the route be sure and take your own water. Loved the misters wish there were more of them. Could see the ocean in a distance and black lava surrounded us. I’m not fond of running out and back on a highway.
Marathon Vacation
-Kona is gorgeous! -The heat got to everyone by the end but it was Hawaii in the summertime, what do you expect? I agree that an earlier start time might … MORE
-Kona is gorgeous!
-The heat got to everyone by the end but it was Hawaii in the summertime, what do you expect? I agree that an earlier start time might have helped.
-The race gear was awesome and the whole trip made for a great vacation!
-I was very impressed with the race staff. My wife and I had some problems with registration as well as awards at the end but both problems were alleviated quickly by the race organization staff.
Please move the race back to Kailua-Kona
No shade, finish line party was not as nice as previous years. Please move the race back to Alii Drive. Running along the ocean is much nicer. MORE
No shade, finish line party was not as nice as previous years. Please move the race back to Alii Drive. Running along the ocean is much nicer.
This race should have started earlier!
I only have 2 comments about this race. (1) Starting at 6:00am is too late. Suns is already beaming. A 5am start should fix this. (2) why is there only … MORE
I only have 2 comments about this race. (1) Starting at 6:00am is too late. Suns is already beaming. A 5am start should fix this. (2) why is there only 1st and 2nd in the age group awards?