Breaking 3:00 at the Honolulu Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But Honolulu Marathon isn't flat-even — the plan below redistributes the same finish time across the course the way experienced runners actually race it.
How to pace this course
0–10 km
Cool, dark, downtown — the fastest it will feel all day
4:13/km (6:48/mi)
10–14 km
Diamond Head climb at sunrise
4:22/km (7:02/mi)
14–37 km
Exposed highway as the heat builds
4:15/km (6:50/mi)
37–42.2 km
Diamond Head again, from the other side
4:22/km (7:02/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:07 | 21:07 | 4:13/km |
| 10 km | 21:07 | 42:13 | 4:13/km |
| 15 km | 21:44 | 1:03:57 | 4:15/km |
| 20 km | 21:13 | 1:25:10 | 4:15/km |
| Half | 4:39 | 1:29:49 | 4:15/km |
| 25 km | 16:34 | 1:46:23 | 4:15/km |
| 30 km | 21:13 | 2:07:36 | 4:15/km |
| 35 km | 21:13 | 2:28:49 | 4:15/km |
| 40 km | 21:36 | 2:50:24 | 4:22/km |
| Finish | 9:36 | 3:00:00 | 4:22/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.