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Big Island International Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Hilo, HI, USA
- Race Date: 03/14/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: No
Big Island International Marathon Description
The Big Island International Marathon starts and finishes on the lawn behind the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Hawaii’s Big Island, tracing the Pacific coastline past Bayfront Park, the Hilo lighthouse, and out toward the old macadamia nut farms near the Tropical Botanical Gardens before turning back. The second half winds through Hilo’s quiet Kalanianaole Avenue neighborhoods and Onekahakaha Beach Park, staying close to the ocean the whole way. Warm, humid conditions and rolling terrain make it more about scenery than speed, and a half marathon, 10K, and 5K run alongside the full distance for runners of every level.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Big Island International Marathon Additional Details:
Along the half marathon section of the course, runners pass beneath canopy-covered roads, over narrow bridges, and within view of waterfalls near the famous Honoli’i surf spot, a genuinely different look from the coastal stretches most of the marathon covers. Aid stations show up roughly every two miles with water, and Gatorade at every other stop, staffed by volunteers who consistently earn praise for their enthusiasm and friendliness. Because the course wraps up as two separate out-and-backs from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, runners pass the finish area more than once before actually crossing it, building anticipation each time. It’s a race that leans into scenery and local hospitality over pure speed, matching the Big Island’s laid-back pace.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Multiple Out and Backs
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 7 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 200-300
Marathon: 100-200
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: Unknown
Elevation Loss: Unknown
Average Temperature
- Low: 68°F
- High: 79°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Things to Do in Hilo, HI, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Shopping
Hilo Farmers Market
Browse fresh produce, flowers, and local crafts at the Hilo Farmers Market, anchoring an easy downtown loop near the bayfront — an easy, flat stroll for a post-race souvenir.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Akaka Falls State Park
Walk the paved 0.4-mile loop through tropical rainforest to see 442-foot Akaka Falls, the Big Island’s most famous waterfall — an easy, flat, low-impact stop.
Museums & History
Lyman Museum
Explore natural and cultural history at the Lyman Museum, founded in 1931 inside Hilo’s original 1838 mission house — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Onomea Bay Trail
Hike the Onomea Bay Trail, a scenic rainforest path leading down to the ocean just north of Hilo — an easy, low-impact option for tapering or recovering legs.
Landmark
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
See an IMAX-style planetarium and exhibits on Hawaiian astronomy at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, housed beneath three titanium cones — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo
Visit the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo, the only naturally occurring tropical rainforest zoo in the United States — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on recovering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Big Island International Marathon
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