Honolulu Marathon 2024 in Hawaii

The Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world, occurring annually on the second Sunday in December. It attracts many beginner marathoners, particularly from Japan, making it a popular destination for visitors. The Marathon Expo takes place at the Hawaii Convention Center and draws around 30,000 attendees, with over half of them hailing from Japan.

Start Time

Participants are required to gather at the start area on Ala Moana Boulevard, ready to begin at 5 am on Sunday, December 8. There is no time limit for the marathon, allowing everyone the opportunity to complete the race at their own pace.

Route

The marathon course begins at the iconic Waikiki Beach and then traverses Ala Moana Beach Park, situated across from the Ala Moana Center. From there, it heads west along the waterfront toward downtown Honolulu. Runners will loop through downtown before turning east, passing through Waikiki, around Diamond Head, and into the eastern suburbs of Honolulu. The route winds through Hawaii Kai before culminating at the finish line in Kapiolani Park, located in Waikiki. Marathoners often find the course challenging due to the tropical weather conditions.

Additional Events

In addition to the marathon, there are two exciting events taking place. The Kalakaua Merrie Mile, scheduled for December 7 at 6 am, features an out-and-back course that begins on Monsarrat Avenue. Runners will head west into Waikiki, with the turnaround point located at 2424 Kalakaua Avenue. The finish line is at Queens Beach, at the intersection of Monsarrat and Kalakaua. Similarly, the Start to Park 10K starts simultaneously with the full Honolulu Marathon and finishes 10 kilometers into the marathon course at Kapiolani Park. The Honolulu Marathon Virtual Beachfest offers participants the chance to experience the marathon remotely. Participants can choose their challenge: a mile, 10K, or marathon—or even tackle all three.

Registration

Unlike many other marathons, the Honolulu Marathon has no qualifying standards, no lottery system, and no cap on the number of entrants—anyone who pays the registration fee is welcome to participate. The registration fee for the marathon is $239.06, while the Start to Park 10K costs $106.25, and the Kalakaua Merrie Mile is priced at $63.75. For the Honolulu Marathon Virtual Beachfest, entry fees range from $35 to $45. International residents will find that the fees are slightly higher, but there are discounts available for students and active-duty members of the U.S. military.

History

The Honolulu Marathon was first held in 1973, founded by former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, who has since been inducted into the Honolulu Marathon Hall of Fame. Attracting between 20,000 and 35,000 participants annually, it is one of the largest marathons in the United States. The event is particularly popular among U.S. military personnel stationed in Hawaii. In 2012, the Honolulu Marathon ranked as the second largest in the United States, surpassed only by the Chicago Marathon.