In fact, the Honolulu Marathon is said to be an ideal event for beginners as there is no time limit and a 10km distance is also available.
So, this article is a complete guide for beginners who want to know more about the Honolulu Marathon, including an overview of the event, how to enter, preparations leading up to the event, and other activities besides running. It is delivered from the unique perspective of JAL, which has been a long-time sponsor of the Honolulu Marathon!
INDEX
- What is the Honolulu Marathon? Explaining its history and characteristics
- What are the dates and course for the 2022 Honolulu Marathon? Introducing the Honolulu Marathon
- There's more to the Honolulu Marathon than just participating in the race.
- How much does it cost? How to enter the Honolulu Marathon
- The Honolulu Marathon is even more exciting. JAL is offering special services only!
1. What is the Honolulu Marathon? Explaining its history and characteristics
The Honolulu Marathon is now known for attracting many Japanese participants, but the first race was held in 1973.
It was originally held with the aim of spreading the health benefits of running, and initially it was a small event with just under 200 participants, mostly local jogging enthusiasts, but with the arrival of the global running (jogging) boom, the number of participants increased rapidly, and by the 10th event in 1982, the number of participants had already exceeded 10,000. From the 1990s to the present, it has become one of the world's leading marathon events, attracting 20,000 to 30,000 participants every year.
A major feature of the Honolulu Marathon is that there is no time limit for any event, including the full marathon. In other words, no matter how many hours it takes from the start, if you can reach the finish line, you are considered to have "completed" the race (assuming you follow the rules).
Therefore, the fact that almost all participants, about 98%, finish the race is also a notable feature of the Honolulu Marathon. Of course, participants are allowed to walk or take short breaks along the way, so even though it is a full marathon course, it is much more beginner-friendly than other competitions.
Furthermore, as mentioned at the beginning, one of the attractions of the Honolulu Marathon is the particularly large number of Japanese participants; in the early 1990s, there was a time when the majority of participants were Japanese. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of the runners were Japanese, which is very rare for an overseas marathon. Naturally, there is ample Japanese support on-site, so this makes it a beginner-friendly event.
2. When will the 2022 race be held? What is the course? An overview of the Honolulu Marathon
The Honolulu Marathon is held on the second Sunday of December every year. In 2022, it will be held on Sunday, December 11th.
On the day, there will be two events: the "Full Marathon" which will cover a course of 42.195km, and the "10K Run & Walk" for those who want to enjoy running or walking casually. The "Full Marathon" also has a "Full Marathon Wheelchair Division", and both have age restrictions, for those aged 7 and over, but the "10K Run & Walk" is generally open to anyone.
All events are scheduled to start at 5:00 a.m. (the full marathon wheelchair event is scheduled to start at 4:55 a.m.), allowing participants to start while it is cooler.
Now let's introduce the Honolulu Marathon course, based on the full marathon.
The starting point is Ala Moana Park, known for being close to the beach and shopping centers. It's early in the morning, so it's still pitch black, but the numerous fireworks that are set off at the start of the race are a grand celebration for the runners, helping to liven up the festive atmosphere.
Runners start from Ala Moana Park and head towards downtown. With the ocean on their left, they change direction around the 3km mark, past the Aloha Tower. They run about 10km on a relatively flat road, taking in the sights of Ala Moana Shopping Center, Waikiki Beach, and the Honolulu Zoo. In downtown, Christmas illuminations are shining everywhere, so you can enjoy your run while taking photos.
Once you pass Kapiolani Park at the 10km point and enter Diamond Head Road, you will encounter the first obstacle. You will have to overcome a long hill near Diamond Head. With the magnificent ocean view, your friends around you, and the support of the roadside cheering you on, keep going!
Once you get past the difficult obstacles and onto the highway, the road is flat again until the turnaround point (about 26km). By the way, Hawaii Kai, where the turnaround point is located, is one of the most luxurious residential areas in Hawaii. The beautiful scenery will surely refresh you.
After the turnaround, we went back on the highway, passed through the upscale residential area of Kahala, and then headed again to the difficult section of Diamond Head while looking at the ocean on the left. It was a longer hill than the way there, and the views were amazing, but many participants said that this was the toughest part. However, once we got past this point, the finish line was just around the corner!
The thrilling finish line is at Kapiolani Park. No matter how long it takes, there are many people waiting to celebrate your finish. This friendliness and sense of accomplishment may be the greatest attraction of the Honolulu Marathon.
The 10K Run & Walk will start at Ala Moana Park at the same time as the full marathon, and will finish at the 10km point along the same course. Since it is on the same course as the full marathon, you can fully experience the atmosphere of the event, so it is recommended for those who find the full marathon too tough. You can also enjoy it by walking. Of course, those who finish will be presented with a completion medal and completion certificate.
3. It's not just about participating in the race. There are plenty of other fun things to do at the Honolulu Marathon
The Honolulu Marathon, one of the largest in the world, attracts not only participants but also many spectators. As a result, various events are held before and after the marathon, creating a happy, festival-like atmosphere in Honolulu during the event.
Here are some of the main events that will be held before and after the Honolulu Marathon. If you are participating in the marathon, be sure to enjoy these events as well.
Kalakaua Merry Mile (Saturday, December 10th, 7am start time)
This is a fun run event held on the day before the Honolulu Marathon, where participants run one mile (about 1.6 km) along Kalakaua Avenue, the main street in Waikiki.
It's not only a great way to warm up your legs before the race, but anyone can participate, so it's also recommended as a short running experience for those who are traveling with you to support the runners. Although it's a short course, participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a commemorative completion medal for those who complete the course.
4. How much does it cost? How to enter the Honolulu Marathon
To participate (enter) in the Honolulu Marathon, you must complete the entry process on the official website by the deadline and pay the entry fee.
Honolulu Marathon Official Website
Please be especially careful here: even if you book a tour with JAL Pack, you will still need to complete the entry procedures for tournaments and events yourself (entry fees are not included in the tour price). Please be sure to complete the procedures by the deadline.
The entry fee varies by event, and there are also so-called "early bird" discounts depending on when you enter. By the way, the entry fees for the "2nd period" for which applications are currently being accepted are as follows:
■Entry fees for each event in the second period (October 13th to November 14th) (Japan registration)
Full Marathon (held on December 11th) 33,000 yen
Full marathon wheelchair category (December 11th) 33,000 yen
10K Run & Walk (December 11th) 10,000 yen
*A separate 5% administrative fee will be charged for reception in Japan.
In addition, if you would like to participate in events held on a day other than the tournament day (December 11th), you will also need to apply in advance on the official website. The entry fees for the "2nd period" currently accepting applications are as follows:
■ Event entry fees for the 2nd period (October 13th to November 14th) (Japan registration)
Kalakaua Merry Mile (December 10th) 6,500 yen
*A separate 5% administrative fee will be charged for reception in Japan.
5. The Honolulu Marathon is even more exciting. JAL is offering special services only available now!
To help you enjoy the Honolulu Marathon and your trip to Hawaii even more, we are offering special benefits to JAL flight and JAL pack customers. Here are some of our main services!
■Relax after the race with a tent service available for JAL passengers only
After finishing the marathon, passengers on JAL flights from Japan to Hawaii can take a rest in a JAL tent set up in Kapiolani Park. Water, drinks, paper towels, ice for cooling, fruit, and more will be provided, so you can relax and recover from your fatigue after completing the race (contents subject to change).
To use the JAL Tent, you must register in advance. Please pick up your packet (bib number) at the Hawaii Convention Center by the day before the event and register at the JAL Tent Reception located near the packet collection exit.
Click here for details
■Receive special offers at affiliated stores in Hawaii! JALOALO Card (individual fares/award ticket use)
The JALOALO Card is a digital card that allows you to receive special benefits by showing the app screen when using airport taxis, shuttle buses, and other transportation services. This card is available to customers who purchase individual fares for round-trip JAL flights from Japan to Hawaii or award tickets using miles.
It's a digital card that can be used with just a smartphone, so it's smart and doesn't add to your luggage. If you plan to use public transportation instead of renting a car, you can get discounts, so be sure to take advantage of it.
Click here for details
■Go straight to the hotel when you arrive! Early check-in benefits (using individual fares and award tickets)
After arriving in Hawaii, some people may have time to kill before their hotel check-in time. However, customers who use JAL round-trip individual fares from Japan to Hawaii or award tickets using miles are eligible for an early check-in service at 12:00. In addition, they will also receive a complimentary lounge access or drink coupon for their stay.
There are many participating hotels, including Marriott and Prince Hotel. If you want to relax after your long flight after arriving in Hawaii, be sure to check it out.
Click here for details
What did you think? There are many other great options available when using JAL services. Be sure to check out the special website for the JAL Honolulu Marathon 2022 Tour, which will tell you about the fun of the Honolulu Marathon that we couldn't introduce here.
JAL Honolulu Marathon 2022 Tour Special Page
Honolulu Marathon Official Website
*Some content was updated on October 18, 2022.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
