Today, more than 25,000 runners competed in the Honolulu Marathon. This race is among the top 10 largest marathons in the world. Competing up there with the ranks of Boston, Chicago, London and New York.
The Honolulu Marathon started in 1973 and back then only had about 150 finishers. Now, the annual race has runners from all over the world participating with 60 percent of the runners coming from Japan.
This iconic race is not only a one day event for Hawaii but builds for about a week leading up to the day of the race. A four day Sports Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center kicks off the week which attracts thousands and where participants can pick up their race numbers while checking out new product booths and information. There is also a luau party / carbo loading dinner for participants on the Friday evening before the Sunday race to get them ready for the long journey.
On race day, participants start at 5:00 a.m. from famous Ala Moana Beach park with fireworks marking the start of the run. Runners pass numerous Hawaiian landmarks on this 26.2 mile course which include the Iolani Palace which is next to downtown and is the only Royal Palace in the nation. Kawaihao Church, also near the downtown route was built from coral reefs from in the ocean nearby. Runners also pass famous Waikiki Beach and the statue of the father of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku and many more island sights along the journey.
Runners converge and end their run at famous Kapiolani Park, at the foots of Diamond Head. There, they are greeted with shell leis, a finisher's t-shirt, and this year, a malasada (Portugese doughnut). The Kapiolani Park grounds also become a large festive event with tents and booths to treat runners to massages and the award ceremony.
This is a race of champions with participants of all ages, genders and races from around the world. If you don't have a chance to run in the spectacle, at least cheer and enjoy the energy that is part of this iconic annual race in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Kengo Ueno (R)
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