This is a large race, no time limit, and a TON of walkers. If you plan on running a solid race, you had bette be in the front at the start. It's like trying to run 26.2 in a mall at 7:00am on Black Friday. Very crowded. If you are out to enjoy a relaxed jog on Oahu, enjoy. I'm not sorry I ran this, but I would put this in the Disney category as far as running time.

This is a very large race (30,000 people?) with a start at 5 am. If you like well organized races with lots of people in a very hot and humid climate, and getting up at 3 am, then this race is for you! I know so many people who do this race every year and already have reservations for next year. But this girl needs cool weather to run well. After the 4 hour mark, I didn't see many people running. It was more like a death march. Lots of people having a hard time due to the heat and humidity with the sound of lots of ambulances.

Well organized, plenty of water stops and volunteers, a happy run. Just for the run itself, I would have given the 10 stars, but I'm from western Washington, and train in 39° and rain, and Honolulu is 85° and sun, making for a slow slog. The packet pickup went smoothly, the goodie bags were seriously deficient in swag, there was none.

This is my second Honolulu Marathon, I love the no time limit, they actually mean it! My age group time keeps me from most marathons, I hate to make the volunteers work beyond what they were promised, the volunteers make a marathon runnable.

Running in beautiful Hawaii is wonderful. No wonder this is one of the biggest marathons in the USA! While the heat and humidity can be challenging, the views are beautiful. The medal and the shirt are well above average. The merchandise selection at the expo was way better than most. There is no time limit for this marathon!

Race directors could take a few lessons from these guys on yo run a marathon. Plenty of ice on the back half made this an enjoyable race. I recommend it highly.

The Honolulu Marathon lived up to it's reputation; gorgeous so it gets away with it, however there is room for improvement. Things done well; race expo, early start time, sufficient aid stations with free flowing water (much needed!), beauty of course (although Diamond Head on the way back is a bit tough), field is fun with the Japanese participants partying. Things to improve; seriously not enough portapotties at Start, hypothetical corrals (saw zero signage so everyone mashed together, Do NOT have 10K start at same time as marathon, more energy/Gu stations, Sunscreen being offered at every aid station, more food at end (banana, donut, Gu/H20 is not sufficient).

Warm and pretty

This was a hard marathon due to the heat and humidity. We knew that going in and took it nice and easy and had a goal to finish without any problems. Electrolytes were served up at miles 8.5 and 17 and there was gatorade and water about every 2 miles. The course also had self serve water stops as many runners had their own water bottle (we did too). This race starts at 5 am due to the heat so the first 10K was in the dark. Of all the marathons I have run (66), the medal for Honolulu is one of the nicest! Despite having an overall great time, I don't think I will run this again due to the humidity.

Even though it is Hawaii, this marathon is challenging as a runner. The corrals were a mess and no one lined up correctly. People stopping in front of you on the course to take pictures. So many walkers that it took 6 miles to get running room. The heat is obvious and is no joke. 75 degrees at the start. I can see why this is a first-timers choice but if you are going to run, be warned.

Only complaints were that I wish there was more Gatorade at water stops, they had normal gels instead of that giant pouch of jello, and that the 10K and marathon started at different times. It was so congested and confusing at the start. I could not even find my corral. I just started where I could get into the line way in the back.

No time limit marathon and the finish line support is there til the last runner/walker crosses the line. Lots of course support, and the best beautiful scenic view from start to finish! It was my first time in Hawaii and it was a great way to see parts of the island doing the marathon without street traffic just runners and walkers! Great Event!! ?????????????????

This race was great, it was nice to see so many Maniacs out there. Met some of them fors pics.
Always happy to run this race again.

Poorly organized, few aid stations, very little Gatorade at few aid stations.

I have run this 4 times now… this year lacked the aid stations necessary (especially in the latter half) and also did not have the mile markers for each mile which is challenging… a bit disappointed. The expo (which is usually quite an event) only had the host vendor despite that everyone was Covid negative or vaccinated to enter… it could have even been held outside on the fourth floor. Very disappointing

I do this race every year and I realize it’s Covid but the water stations were few and only hoses attached to iron fencing that were difficult to get water from. Gatorade at only 2 stations and not a drop of nourishment! Self supported and I thought unsafe for the runners. Few people out cheering and finish was a banana & small bottle water. Disappointed for sure since other races and ultras are managing to support their runners with Covid safety and still have at least fruit, salty and electrolyte drinks

Had a great time, the route showed off some beautiful parts of the island, the spectators albeit few were enthusiastic. Lost a star because there wasn't any sports drink for the first 10 miles. Plenty of water stations/porta potties otherwise. Finisher shirt fit was true to size and vibrant. Not sure if it was due to the ongoing pandemic, but the expo was really limited.

Excellent event, with great crowds and very scenic. The expo was great and the entire marathon support from the expo, packet pickup, start line, water stops and finish line was excellent. The only caution is that the marathon does not have a time limit so there are a lot of walkers. My advice is for the runner or run/walker to get into a corral that is close to the start line so you do not get caught behind a lot of walkers.

It is hot, windy and there are a few hills. So it is by no means a race for PR. Also by sunrise, you almost come to the mid point. So it is not as scenic as you would imagine. However, despite its fairly large size, it is very relaxed set up and relaxing. Since there is no tile limit, Honolulu Marathon attracts many first time marathoners and make an aomosphere somewhat special. Once you finishes, you are at Waikiki beach. There are so many fun stuff.

I have run this marathon six times and now consider it my "throw-away" race. I run it because it is the only one left on my island but now I run it slow, usually with first-time marathoners to get them through it (endless supply of those since I'm a cross country coach). The weather is always hot, sometimes very humid too, if it rains during the race. The course is the same one EVERY long race in Honolulu takes so it is a bit monotonous for those of us who race a lot. My biggest complaint is the start: There are no corrals and the walker feel like they can just get up there at the front with the fast people. If you don't push your way up to the front, you will caught amongst the walker for MILES.

Great Crowd Support. Great Volunteer Support. Parking is a pain for packet pickup. Weather can vary from year to year. My advice. Haul it the first half so you get as far as you can before the sun comes up.

The starting line was disorganized and people did not follow the guidelines for their race speeds / colors... no one was enforcing this. I have no other complaints. Can't change the weather. Happy I got t see a rainbow at mile 18

I really enjoyed how people can go out and run and there is no time limit at this marathon. The course was difficult at hill mile 7/8 and when returning mile 24/25. If there is a hill then it must have a downhill - that helped me at mile 25/26 get to the finish line.

I have ran this marathon several times since I live in Hawaii. For me, this is very convenient and cheap because of the Kamaaina discount. I really enjoy running this marathon even though I'm either sick or injured, or both. This race is for everyone --- beginners and experienced alike and almost half of the participants were from Japan. It was a very well organized race with tons of support and aid stations. The atmosphere was so upbeat since many runners (or walkers) know that there was no time limit. If you're more of a serious runner, I recommend you get in front of the start line because the inexperienced runners tend to go to the front of the line. It's hard to weave around people. It was a fun race and I'd totally do it again.

This is an Awesome Marathon with plenty of support and nice views of scenery along the course. If you're looking for a large venue - this is it! It is also a good time to meet and greet fellow Marathon Maniac members. There is no need to rent a car since local buses are available for transportation. I was able to take the bus to tour Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona to visit the museums free of charge.

This is my hometown race, so I will always have a special place in my heart for it. That being said - if I never have to run down Kalanianaole Highway or Kahala Ave. again, I would be OK with that. The last 10 miles are a doozy, especially if you are a 4+ hour marathoner. The final climb up Diamond Head around mile 24 is so painful, and then you think the downhill will be a sweet relief, but that hurts just as much! I did this race for 5 years in a row, and I think I will be taking a hiatus from it for the next couple of years.

With that being said, the crowds are fantastic, the views are incredible, and the support is amazing. If you are looking for an excuse to escape the Polar Vortex and come out to Hawaii in December, this is the race for you!

It's Hawai'i, even in December if you thought you were going to bust out the yaktrax, you're mistaken. They have no time limit on the finish. The last guy came in at 16:33. 16.5 hours. The good news is that means if have the persistence, you can finish a marathon here. The bad news is that it attracts a lot of folks who are first timers who don't really know what they're doing, and probably did not properly train. Add to it people who have no real ambition to perform well, and it can be frustrating to fight through a pile of people at a water stop, or in the start corrals. Post race was just as disorganized. You get your shirt at the finish, good luck finding it or anything else they're just wily nily tents here and there. Maui Oceanfront is a far superior marathon.

This was my first time running the Honolulu Marathon, and 22nd overall marathon. It was a great, scenic course, and the spectators were really great. They had plenty of water stations and ice cold sponges. However, they didn't have a lot of food.

There was only one place on the course where they gave out gels. They did not give out any other food, -no bananas, - no oranges, - no candy... then at the end of the race the only food I found was a donut type thing and a banana. The donut was great, I just wish there were more options, maybe some chocolate milk!

Case in point, they had a one mile race, the day before, and they gave us a ton of food and different drinks when we finished.

They Expo was awesome!

Highly recommend running this race.

I ran this one just for fun. I wasn't even watching my time. It is definitely crowded. And got hot fast. I was just making sure I didn't over heat. If you want to run for time definitely start way up front. There are a lot if inconsiderate walkers that don't pay attention to the corral times. Done once, wouldn't do it again. Not a lot of food at the finish libe, just a banana and fried dough ball.

Many water stations but mostly water. Not enough Gatorade and when there were gatorades, too watery.

2016 was unseasonably cool and yet it was still hot for most. The race course itself doesn't offer a lot of shade so it is beneficial to get as far along as you can before the sun is overhead. Depending where you stay there are free shuttles to the start. This worked well just plan for long lines. There were plenty of porta potties at start and along the course along with plenty of aide stations. Latter aide stations offered cold sponges which was great. It is a mass start and self seeded, so if you're fast or looking for a PR (although NOT a PR course) make sure you get close to the front. Get to the start early enough for the fireworks display....It was fabulous! For those frequent marathoners not worried about time, this is one to bring your camera to.

Honolulu was crowded, warm and humid as anticipated. And we had the hill - Diamond Head on the return at about Mile 24 - in the sun, but we got to see the beautiful ocean view that time! We started in a huge crowd to a loud fireworks display on Ala Moana.

The crowd didn't bother me as much as expected. But the finish at the park was disappointing: where were the finisher shirts, food, and drink? Once I found something, was that it or was there more somewhere else? There were canopies and people everywhere you looked, but where were the English-speaking staff or signs in English? I'm glad that there was huge support for foreign visitors, but felt like there was little or none for me.

Later I heard that a third-party review of race results showed evidence of some course-cutting; I only hope that the organizer disqualifies and calls out those who did so, instead of tolerating it "for business reasons".

Great marathon
Beautiful course
Nice aid stations

If you want a vacation in the 50th state and need an excuse, this marathons for you. But it's pretty boring course, kind of hilly, not much to see except houses, and can be humid, windy, rainy, hot, sunny. It's also a big race...28K sign up, around 22K stare, and maybe 18K finish. And most of them are first timers from Japan. If that's the kind of race you want, then come spend your money and help with the taxes. Otherwise, try Maui Oceanfront in January.