Honolulu Marathon 2026: The Complete Guide for Runners and Spectators

At a Glance

• Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026
• Start time: 5:00 a.m. (the start line closes at 5:30 a.m.)
• Start location: Ala Moana Boulevard at Queen Street
• Finish location: Kapiʻolani Park, near the bandstand
• Distance: 26.2 miles, with no official time limit
• Field size: Over 35,000 runners from around the world
• Race weekend: Kalakaua Merrie Mile (Saturday) and the Start to Park 10K (Sunday, same start as the marathon)

Race Weekend at a Glance

The Course, Start to Finish

The course links together many of Honolulu’s most recognizable landmarks, which is part of why it draws such a large international field every year.

Downtown, Chinatown and Historic Honolulu

From the start on Ala Moana Boulevard, the route heads into downtown Honolulu along Honolulu Harbor and past the Aloha Tower, then through Chinatown on South King Street, passing ʻIolani Palace, the King Kamehameha Statue and Kawaiahaʻo Church.

Waikīkī and Diamond Head

The course continues on Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Piʻikoi Street before crossing into Waikīkī over the Ala Wai Canal. Kalākaua Avenue carries runners past the Duke Kahanamoku statue and through Waikīkī’s commercial district before the route climbs toward Diamond Head, an extinct volcanic crater roughly 760 feet high.

Kahala, Hawaiʻi Kai and the Windward Turnaround

Past Diamond Head, the course heads southeast through the residential streets of Kahala and Black Point, then loops through the Hawaiʻi Kai valley community and follows Kalanianaʻole Highway along the coast past Koko Head and Hanauma Bay before turning back toward the city.

The Finish at Kapiʻolani Park

The final miles circle back around Diamond Head and into Kapiʻolani Park, where the finish line sits near the park bandstand. Finishers are met with a medal, a finisher shirt and Hawaiʻi’s traditional post-race treat, malasadas.

For Runners: Race Weekend Logistics

Packet Pickup and the Marathon Expo

Race packets are only available in person at the Marathon Expo at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, and there is no race-day pickup. The 2026 Expo dates, hours and shuttle schedule awaiting confirmation – but in 2025 the expo ran Thursday through Saturday, December 10–12, with a complimentary Waikīkī Trolley shuttle to and from the convention center. Also, ensure you bring photo ID – nobody else can collect your bib on your behalf.

Getting to the Start Line

With a 5:00 a.m. start, most runners are making their way to Ala Moana Boulevard well before sunrise. Security measures mean you can’t approach directly in front of the start line – entry is via Piʻikoi Street, the back entrance off Atkinson Drive, or from the Waikīkī side. A courtesy shuttle runs from Honolulu Zoo in the early hours, though space isn’t guaranteed, so walking in or arranging a drop-off tends to be the more reliable option. Clothing check-in is at the finish in Kapiʻolani Park, not at the start.

On the Course

Sixteen aid stations line the route with water and sports drinks, with energy gels available at roughly miles 9, 12, 15 and 20. There’s no official time limit, so runners of every pace are supported and celebrated at the finish. Expect a warm morning: temperatures typically start in the mid-60s and climb into the low 80s by mid-morning, so dress and hydrate accordingly.

Where to Stay for the Honolulu Marathon

Because the race starts on Ala Moana Boulevard, staying nearby makes race morning considerably simpler. Pagoda Hotel is approximately 0.6 miles from the start area, allowing runners to make their way there on foot rather than relying on a shuttle or navigating early road closures by car.

After 26.2 miles, Pagoda also gives you somewhere to slow things down. Head back to the hotel, put your feet up, spend some time around the Japanese-inspired garden and koi pond, or cool off by the outdoor pool before deciding what the rest of the day looks like.

Marathon weekend brings runners and visitors from around the world to Honolulu, so booking ahead is recommended. Browse our current hotel offers when planning your race weekend stay.

For Spectators: Best Places to Watch and Cheer

The course’s length and layout give spectators several good options for watching – and in a few spots, you can catch runners twice.

Ala Moana Boulevard Near the Start

The pre-dawn start itself is a spectacle, with fireworks marking the moment the field sets off. It’s an early start, but it’s an easy one for anyone staying near Pagoda Hotel – a short walk from the same streets you’d use to reach Ala Moana Beach Park.

Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī

A lively, easy-to-reach stretch a few miles into the race, with plenty of sidewalk space and Waikīkī’s usual morning energy.

Diamond Head Road

Because the course loops out toward Hawaiʻi Kai and back, runners pass this scenic stretch twice – outbound in the early miles and again on the return, roughly mid-to-late in the race. It’s one of the better spots for a double dose of cheering.

Kahala Avenue

A quieter, residential section of the course where it’s easier to find space along the road and get close to the runners.

The Finish Line at Kapiʻolani Park

The best spot for celebrating finishers, with the bandstand, medals and post-race festivities creating a natural gathering point. Arrive early for a good sightline, and expect the park to stay busy well into the morning given there’s no cutoff time.

A number of roads close for the race, so plan to walk or use TheBus between viewing spots rather than driving. If race morning itself is too early, the Kalākaua Merrie Mile on the Saturday is a shorter, family-friendly event on the same stretch of Kalākaua Avenue and an easier one to spectate.

Getting Around During Race Weekend

Marathon Sunday brings rolling road closures across a wide stretch of the city, typically from around 12:30 a.m. until the early afternoon. In recent years, closures have moved through Ala Moana Boulevard, King Street and Kapiʻolani Boulevard downtown, Piʻikoi Street and Kalākaua Avenue, the H-1 Freeway eastbound, and Kalanianaʻole Highway through Kahala and Hawaiʻi Kai as the race passes through. Exact streets and times shift slightly each year, so it’s worth checking the official Traffic Advisory closer to race day if you’re driving anywhere that morning.

Guests staying at Pagoda Hotel are close enough to the course to reach the start, or several good viewing points, on foot – the simplest way to avoid the closures altogether.

Race Weekend Events Beyond the Marathon

• Kalākaua Merrie Mile: A one-mile run on Kalākaua Avenue on the Saturday before the marathon, open to all ages and a good warm-up or spectator-friendly event for family and friends.
• Start to Park 10K: Covers the first 10 kilometers of the marathon course, starting at the same time and place as the marathon and finishing in Kapiʻolani Park.
• Virtual Beachfest: A virtual event that can be completed anytime between December 14, 2026 and January 14, 2027, for runners who can’t make race day in person.

Stay Close to the Start at Pagoda Hotel

Make race morning one less thing to think about. Pagoda Hotel puts you within walking distance of the Honolulu Marathon start near Ala Moana, so you can focus on getting to the line rather than navigating early-morning transportation and road closures.

Once the race is over, come back to a side of Honolulu that moves at a slightly easier pace. Settle into your room, unwind around the koi pond and garden, or spend some time by the outdoor pool before heading back out to celebrate.

Staying a little longer? Pagoda’s central location makes it easy to turn marathon weekend into a few extra days exploring Honolulu and Oʻahu. Hawaiʻi residents can also take advantage of the Kamaʻāina Special when booking their stay.

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