Honolulu Marathon
Honolulu, USA · Second Sunday of December
Fireworks at the 5am start, Diamond Head at sunrise, and heat management the whole way home. Nobody PRs in Honolulu — you go for the December sunshine, the aloha, and a finish line that waits for everyone.
Course
Elevation gain
150 m
Net elevation
Flat
Finishers
~20,000
Month
December
Second Sunday of December
Race-day weather
Median start temp
21°C
Historical range
19–25°C
Hot-year risk
High
A 5am start dodges the worst of it, but tropical humidity guarantees the slowest conditions of any race listed here.
Getting in
First-come, first-served. No field cap, no time limit, no qualifying — the most open big marathon in the world. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Honolulu Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Honolulu Marathon a fast course?
It is not considered a PR course. The course has 150 m of total elevation gain and no net drop. We rate it 3/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Honolulu Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 21°C, with a historical range of roughly 19–25°C. A 5am start dodges the worst of it, but tropical humidity guarantees the slowest conditions of any race listed here.
How do you get into the Honolulu Marathon?
First-come, first-served. No field cap, no time limit, no qualifying — the most open big marathon in the world.
Is the Honolulu Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Honolulu Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times.