Let me start by saying, I wouldn’t change a thing about my entire plane trip…but the truth is I wish I had a little more open eyes in terms of what I would expect from the Honolulu Marathon.
We had an amazing time, but part of the marathon is preparing mentally and so I’m sharing what I wish we had known.
Everything about this race was there unique; I think that is an appropriate word.
This was the 42nd running of the Honolulu Marathon. Often billed as one of the top 10 marathons in the world…so my expectations for the organization and finisher swag were pretty high.
Let’s go through the not-so-great, totally unique and great points of this race.
Honolulu Marathon Review
Listen, I had a great day at the race. But I wish we had some information going into it. So I’m going to tell you this directly from my experience.
Pro – The Expo
The expo was by far the most interesting I have ever seen!! Japanese signs and companies abounded, creating a completely unique atmosphere… but just when you thought you’d seen it all, you encountered an area that resembled a flea market with quilts and purses. It was felt. very cool
Pro-Clothes
The race was also full of lots of unique costumes, in fact I remember Jody asking me at one point.Is there something I’m missing, why are all these people dressed as women?!”
Of course it wasn’t just runners, it was loads of chair stations too!
Con: No corral for 30,000 runners.
After hearing the horror stories the night before, Judy and I lined up 10 feet for the 4-hour marathoners and were far from passers-by.
Instead, we spent at least 3 miles dodging pedestrians and then onto one-lane roads with multiple obstacles slowing everyone down. Waves or corrals will easily fix this.
Who: No pacer.
We also saw later that despite the small space allotted for different timings at the start, there were actually no fast bowlers. I didn’t realize how often during the race I would look for people who knew where I was or when we were looking for fellow 26 strong runners on the out and back course.
Con – Cotton Finisher T-Shirt
Turns out it was too late for them to get an apparel sponsor and I’m guessing Under Armor had plenty of these shirts to supply. Which makes me wonder, why would a race this big have trouble getting a sponsor?
I haven’t gotten a cotton finisher shirt for anything older than a 5K.
Con – No information to support meeting with family.
It’s good to have a pre-planned meeting point to find your family and friends after the race so you don’t have to worry about finding them. Indeed the map of the finisher area was terrible and did not have any markings to help facilitate the pre-planned meeting point.
Con – Post race food
A cup of water, no bottle, a banana, a mini bagel and a big donut hole {malasada}. Yes, that’s it. I spent the 1.5 mile trip back to the hotel saying “man I’m thirsty” and I seriously was!
Con – Water retention confusion
For a race this size, I was confused to find water stops on only one side of the road.
In fact, another racer asked me about it post-race “Is this normal for a race this size?” Oh no, a bunch of people crossing the road would definitely have slowed down most runners. But they were all happy and out in the rain for hours, so I totally appreciate them!
Con – No elevation map.
Which would have eliminated their description of only 1 hill. It’s absolutely spinning.
Pro – Easy start and finish
We were close enough to run to the start and finish, which is a big win for me. If I don’t have to get up extra early for the shuttle and can get back to my hotel quickly afterwards, life is good.
Massive pro-course
I really think what makes this race in the top 10 should be the views. There are other good things, but other races can’t just see the mountains and the sea.
Luckily this wasn’t my first marathon, so I was able to spend a lot of time looking at the mountains, soaking in the rainbows, and pointing at Judy as she focused on her feet like we all do when the going gets tough. goes
- Scenes
- Tons of course photos
- Start line fireworks
- Opinions (twice mentionable)
- Tin Water Station
- Good Spectator- Offers lots of pieces of fruit and great signs! You never know what you’re going to find from neighborhoods, but here they were fully loaded and ready to please.
- The ROTC is holding the dividing rope all the way up the biggest hill and cheering like crazy every few feet.
- Great fellow runners – I talked to a lot of people during and after the race. Everyone was so kind and happy even with the initial grumbles as we were there.
- Tons of support staff – there were tons of happy people at every water station. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen more volunteers on a course.
- A 2 minute walk from the finish line to the beach…ahhhh ocean water therapy.
Honolulu Marathon Training Tips
As noted, I wasn’t that experienced a coach anymore, and there wasn’t that much information online about this race… so if I had known…
- You will be training in the colder months, making the heat/humidity sensation more difficult.
- Try getting in some sauna sessions or doing more exercise on the treadmill.
- Take in some rolling hills during your long run.
- If you’re going for a PR type race, line up near the front to avoid getting caught.
- Enjoy! I mean you are in heaven.
- Remember it’s a long flight, so wear compression socks to prevent blood clots.
- Save your walk for post-race.
- Plan ahead for your pre-race meals and breakfast. You’ll want to know what’s available.
Our Honolulu Marathon day
Out of the control of the race coordinators was our race day weather. It maintained a light mist from start to finish which I didn’t complain one bit about as it kept Jody from getting too hot and ensured that it stayed cloudy throughout the run.
Unfortunately, we had a few points of rain with 30 mph wind gusts that were a little less pleasant, mostly from face-smashing rain to the moment you step into a puddle. Hold and feel that your entire foot is now squished.
Yet without that rain, I would never have caught the duo running under the rainbow!!!
All that being said, would I recommend this race?
Mmmm maybe… if you want to have a Hawaiian vacation with a race then yeah go have some fun. If you are looking for any kind of PR or even a first marathon, no this is not the race I would choose.
What an adventure it truly is to spend this weekend running with 8 other teams from the Saucony 26 Strong program. It was so much fun hearing everyone talk about their training, watching them on the course and then sharing in the post-marathon shuffle as we all headed home.
I’m not sure if this Honlulu Marathon review will influence you one way or the other, but I hope it helps!
What is your most unique race experience?
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