Honolulu Marathon

The Honolulu Marathon was founded in 1973, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 53 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Honolulu, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The fastest time ever recorded at the Honolulu Marathon is 02:12:51, set by Mebrahtom Keflezighi in 2011. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Honolulu.

The Honolulu Marathon route is one of those courses where runners forget their pace and reach for their phones. The scenery through Honolulu and its surroundings has earned this race a reputation as one of the most photogenic in North America.

With 27,500 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Honolulu Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Honolulu is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.

For thousands of runners each year, the Honolulu Marathon is their first marathon. The combination of a forgiving course, generous time limits, and supportive crowds has earned this race a reputation as the place where marathon journeys begin. The first-timer energy on race morning is palpable.

The Honolulu Marathon is one of the few major marathons with no cutoff time. The course stays open until every last runner finishes. Some take 12+ hours. The medical tent, aid stations, and finish line stay staffed through the night. It's this policy that makes Honolulu the marathon of choice for first-timers who fear the clock.