Honolulu Marathon
The Lowdown
The Honolulu Marathon, first run in 1973, is one of the oldest and largest destination marathons in the United States and a marquee annual event in Hawaii’s running calendar. Traditionally held in mid-December to take advantage of warm tropical weather and holiday travel schedules, the race draws a diverse field of elite athletes and recreational runners from around the world. Over the decades it has become as much a celebration of aloha and island culture as a competitive road race, with many participants returning year after year to experience its unique blend of sport and spectacle. The course is scenic and runner-friendly, beginning in the early pre-dawn hours on Ala Moana Boulevard and winding through Honolulu’s waterfront and residential neighborhoods, past iconic Waikiki beaches, and circling the verdant slopes of Diamond Head before finishing in Kapiolani Park with nearby views of the Pacific. Runners experience long stretches of oceanfront and palm-lined streets, occasional gentle rollers rather than steep climbs, and plenty of crowd support at key landmarks. The event atmosphere is famously festive and welcoming — volunteers and spectators hand out leis and Hawaiian hospitality, live music and cultural performances appear along the route, and the race expo and finish-area celebrations underscore the vacation-like vibe. The Honolulu Marathon is AIMS-certified and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it appealing to both first-time marathoners and those chasing qualifying times. With an early 5:00 a.m. start to avoid the midday heat, comprehensive race-day support, and a well-established organizational history, the Honolulu Marathon offers a memorable and scenic marathon experience that combines competitive opportunity with the relaxed, celebratory spirit of Hawaii.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
2025 edition posts record participation with largest-ever finishers
Dec 14, 2025The 2025 Honolulu Marathon recorded its largest field in history with 27,842 finishers and approximately 33,500 registered participants across the marathon and associated events, surpassing previous totals and marking a full return to pre-pandemic volumes. Organizers reported registration sold out faster than in prior years, with international entries from over 60 countries contributing to the record.
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Ala Moana Beach Park
The race starts near Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Moana Center, a popular oceanfront shopping and recreation area
Magic Island (Ala Moana Regional Park)
Runners pass the man-made peninsula and scenic lagoon offering ocean views early in the course
Nimitz Highway / Honolulu Harbor views
The course runs along Nimitz Highway with sights of the working harbor and Pearl Harbor approaches
Waikiki Beach / Kalakaua Avenue
The route follows the famous Waikiki beachfront boulevard, lined with hotels, shops and cheering crowds
Kapiolani Park
The marathon finishes near Kapiolani Park, a large green space at the foot of Diamond Head used for the finish festival
Diamond Head (Leahi)
Runners loop beneath the iconic volcanic tuff cone, enjoying panoramic coastal and city views near the eastern turnaround
Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium vicinity
The final miles pass landmarks like the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium adjacent to the shoreline
Honolulu, HI, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
The race offers a booking portal with partner hotel options
- Open to everyone aged over seven years old
- No qualifications required
- Waiver Agreement
- Govt Issued ID
- Online registration
- VIP Charity Entries
- In-Person Late Registration
- Payment Plan Option
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
The Honolulu Marathon maintains a strict no-refund policy for all entry fees, as stated in their official guidelines. Once registered, participants cannot receive a refund or defer their entry to a future year. However, there are limited options for transferring your entry under specific conditions
Virtual Race Transfer: Participants may transfer their in-person entry to the virtual race option. This allows you to complete the race distance remotely within a designated timeframe. Your finisher shirt and medal will be mailed to you upon completion. The deadline for requesting a virtual transfer is typically in late November.
Entry Transfer to Another Person or Event: You can transfer your entry to another participant or switch to a different event within the Honolulu Marathon weekend. This process involves completing a transfer request form and may require an administrative fee. The deadline for such transfers is usually in early November.
The Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the U.S., routinely drawing around 25,000–30,000 finishers from around the world.
The scenic point-to-point course runs from Nuʻuanu to Kapiʻolani Park, passing landmarks such as Diamond Head, Waikīkī Beach, and Ala Moana Park and is known for heat and high humidity that can affect pacing.
The race weekend includes an official expo with packet pickup and vendors, a pasta-style pre-race meal options in town, and finishers receive an official shirt and commemorative medal.
Aid stations are frequent (roughly every 1.5–2 miles) with water, sports drink and gels, and organizers recommend arriving early for parking or using public transit/shuttles due to limited road access and large crowds.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.