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Honolulu Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Honolulu, HI, USA
- Race Date: 12/13/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: No
Honolulu Marathon Description
The Honolulu Marathon is one of the five largest marathons in the country, drawing tens of thousands of runners each December for a tour through downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace, and through Waikiki before climbing around iconic Diamond Head. The mostly out-and-back, Boston-qualifying course continues through Kahala to Hawaii Kai before turning back toward a finish in Kapiolani Park. With no official time limit, walkers and first-timers are as welcome as elites chasing a fast finish. Pace bands help runners of every level plan their race in the island heat.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Honolulu Marathon Additional Details:
Reviewers consistently rank the finisher medal among the nicest in the sport, and the finish chute delivers it fast, only steps beyond the line before runners pass through sprinkler showers that feel incredible in the island heat. Along the way, roughly 2,300 volunteers staff 16 aid stations stocked with color-coded cups, green for sports drink, white for water, plus multiple sponge stations and on-course medical support. What really sets this race apart happens after the finish: runners walk straight from the chute to Waikiki Beach, medal still around their neck, and spend the rest of the morning celebrating with fellow finishers on the sand. It turns a single race into an all-day island tradition rather than a quick finish-and-leave.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: No Time Limit
# of Finishers
Marathon: 22,500 to 23,000
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 457 ft
Elevation Loss: 455 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 72°F
- High: 84°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.
Full Marathon Training Plan
Structured plans for every experience level, from your first 26.2 to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Honolulu, HI, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
ʻIolani Palace
Tour ʻIolani Palace, the only official state residence of royalty in the United States, in the heart of downtown Honolulu — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Honolulu Zoo
See African giraffes and pink flamingos at the Honolulu Zoo, bordering Waikīkī and Kapiʻolani Park — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on recovering legs.
Outdoors & Trails
Ala Wai Canal Promenade
Walk or jog the flat promenade along the Ala Wai Canal, a scenic waterway bordering Waikīkī — an easy, low-impact option for tapering or recovering legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Diamond Head State Monument
Hike to the summit of Lēʻahi, or Diamond Head State Monument, for a panoramic view over Waikīkī — a moderate option for those with good legs after race day.
Landmark
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pay respects at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, home to the USS Arizona Memorial and one of Hawaii’s most visited sites — an easy, mostly-outdoor, low-impact stop.
Shopping
Royal Hawaiian Center
Browse more than 310,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment at the Royal Hawaiian Center on Waikīkī’s Kalākaua Avenue — an easy, flat, walkable stroll.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Honolulu Marathon
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Boston Qualifier: Yes