Honolulu Marathon

The Race

The Honolulu Marathon has no cutoff time. The course stays open until the last finisher crosses, which makes it one of the few major marathons that genuinely accommodates walkers and very slow runners alongside faster fields. This is not incidental — it is the race's defining policy, and the primary reason its field (15,000 to 25,000 participants depending on the year) includes a far wider range of finishing times than comparable events.

The 5am start reduces heat exposure for the majority of runners. The first kilometres along Ala Moana Boulevard into downtown Honolulu and through Waikiki happen in darkness and the famous Pacific pre-dawn light. By the time the course reaches Hawaii Kai on the eastern side of the island, the sun has risen and temperatures begin to climb. Runners finishing after four hours will be running in full tropical heat and humidity. The no-cutoff policy is directly connected to these conditions.

The course passes through Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue (the main tourist strip, which most Waikiki hotel guests can access on foot from their hotel), then heads east along the Kalanianaole Highway to Hawaii Kai and back. The return route brings runners through Kahala and back into Waikiki, finishing at Kapiolani Park under Diamond Head crater. The park is flat; the rest of the course has some gentle undulation in the Hawaii Kai section.

The race is one of the most international on the calendar. Approximately 40-50% of participants travel from Japan, where the Honolulu Marathon has significant cultural presence and organised tour packages from major cities. The race weekend has a distinctly Japanese-American character as a result.

Weather

December in Honolulu is tropical: 22-28°C at race time, with humidity that makes the conditions feel harder than the air temperature suggests. The 5am start is the coolest point of the day at approximately 22-23°C. By 10am (the four-hour mark for runners in the mid-pack), temperatures are typically 26-28°C with full sun and moderate humidity. The trade winds provide some relief on the coastal sections. No throwaway layer is needed at any stage.

Entry

The Honolulu Marathon has year-round open entry. There is no ballot, no entry window, and no entry deadline — you can register on race day itself if the inclination strikes. This is unusual for a marathon of this size and is directly connected to the race's ethos of open participation.

Entry fees increase as race day approaches, so registering early gives a lower price. International runners should note that the Japanese tour packages include entry fees bundled with flights and hotels — these packages often sell out, but the entry itself is always available separately.

Race Weekend

Expo

The race expo is held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in downtown Honolulu, typically Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. Bib collection is required in person before race morning — there is no race-day bib pickup. Check honolulumarathon.org for current hours and shuttle arrangements from Waikiki hotels to the expo venue.

Getting to the start

The start at Ala Moana Beach Park is a 20-minute walk from most Waikiki hotels along Ala Moana Boulevard. Many runners walk to the 5am start, which is practical from the Waikiki end of the strip. Hotel transfers and taxis are available for runners staying further from Ala Moana. TheBus does not operate at 5am.

The course

From Ala Moana, the course heads east along Ala Moana Boulevard into downtown Honolulu, then turns and heads west along Kalakaua Avenue through the heart of Waikiki. Runners on Kalakaua Avenue pass their own hotels in most cases. The course then turns east again, heading out along the Kalanianaole Highway through the residential suburb of Hawaii Kai and to the turning point at the eastern end.

The return route comes back through Kahala, re-enters Waikiki, and finishes at Kapiolani Park. The final section along the park edge runs under the Diamond Head crater. The course is mostly flat with some gentle undulation in the Hawaii Kai section; the Kapiolani Park finish is completely flat.

The finish

The finish line is at Kapiolani Park, adjacent to Diamond Head. Most Waikiki hotels are under 1km from the finish boundary. Post-race: TheBus, taxi, Uber, or walking are all viable options back to Waikiki hotels. The park has post-race food and massage services.

Where to Stay

Waikiki is the correct base. Most hotels in Waikiki are within 1km of the finish at Kapiolani Park and a 20-minute walk from the start at Ala Moana. The race course runs along Kalakaua Avenue through the centre of Waikiki, so many runners will pass their hotel door during the race.

The Kapiolani Park end of Waikiki (east end, near Diamond Head) is closer to the finish and generally quieter than the Ala Wai Canal end. Hotels on Kalakaua Avenue have direct beach access and course-side positions.

See & Do

December in Honolulu is dry season with full services operating. The attractions below are reachable from Waikiki hotels without a rental car.

Diamond Head Crater

The 158m extinct volcanic crater is 500m from the finish in Kapiolani Park. A 1.6km trail leads to the summit (paved but steep in sections) with views across Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, the Waianae Mountains, and the Pacific. Allow 1-2 hours. Book the timed entry permit online before you arrive — the crater is within a state park and requires a reservation. December: avoid midday; early morning or late afternoon gives better light and lower temperatures on the trail.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

45 minutes by car or TheBus (route 42) from Waikiki. The USS Arizona Memorial over the sunken battleship (free boat tour, timed reservation required), the USS Missouri battleship museum, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The Arizona Memorial boat tour reservation sells out — book weeks before you arrive at recreation.gov. December 7th is the anniversary of the 1941 attack; if your visit falls on that date, expect commemorative events and higher visitor numbers.

North Shore and Waimea Bay

1 hour by car north from Waikiki (no direct bus route). December is peak surf season on the North Shore: the Banzai Pipeline runs at 20-30 foot faces, the Eddie Aikau Invitational may be running (only called when waves reach 30 feet, approximately every 4-7 years). Waimea Bay beach is the watching point for large surf. Haleiwa town has the original Matsumoto shave ice and the garlic shrimp trucks that are worth the drive on their own. A rental car is required for the North Shore.

Hanauma Bay

30 minutes by car east of Waikiki. A collapsed volcanic crater now a marine nature preserve: snorkelling in calm, sheltered water above coral with sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasionally spinner dolphins. Entry is limited by reservation — book the timed entry online before your visit. The bay is closed on Tuesdays. The bay floor is visible in 1-2 metres of water from the shore; no experience or equipment beyond a mask and snorkel is required.

After the Race

The neighbouring Hawaiian islands are all 30-40 minutes by flight from Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlines island-hops multiple times daily. Each island has a distinct character; none requires a car on all roads.

Common questions