Honolulu Marathon 2020

by | Feb 3, 2020 | Active Travel, Destination Races, Hawaii

“‘A’OHE PU’U KI’EKI’E KE HO’A’O ‘IA E PI’I “– (No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed.)

The Races

Aloha!

Are you thinking of incorporating a running race into a vacation? This may not be for everyone, but if you have the inkling, place this race on your bucket list ! The Honolulu Marathon, and corresponding Start to Park 10km, attract over 25,000 participants every year.  Registration is open for the 2020 event and I’m in!  I hope to see you there!

The Honolulu Marathon offers you a breathtaking course (surely the hill at mile 24 will also be”breathtaking“, eek).  You run through Waikiki around Diamond Head, then up the coast, and back to the beach. The morning starts with fireworks before sunrise and ends with a party!  The 10k has an early respective start to beat the heat and run with the sunrise!!

I was lucky enough to stumble upon their sister race “The Hapalua Half Marathon” in April while I was vacationing in Waikiki a few years ago.  It was a wonderfully organized, and a gorgeous course.  As expected, it was very hot and humid, but the ocean dips and Mai-Tais’ to follow helped to fuel one perfect place to recover!

Sample Travel Itinerary

These races being held on December 13th, are well-timed on the majestic Hawaiian Islands just before the Christmas peak-season in Hawaii takes off in full swing the following weekend.  An ideal itinerary would be a few days in Waikiki, a night or two up on the north shore of Oahu (that is where the picture beside was taken), then a quick flight over to Maui, Kauai or The Big Island, for over a week of Hawaiian heaven before heading back to winter wonderland for family Christmas time. Even better, bring the family and celebrate Christmas on the island.  We spent Christmas in Kaanapali last year and LOVED it!!

I have a relentless love affair with Hawaii, so much that we were married on the North Shore of Oahu, just an hour north of this race, a few years ago. If you are in Waikiki for the race or anywhere else in this stunning part of the world, feel free to reach out for recommendations on where to stay on any of the islands, and/or cruises to and from the mainland and/or around the islands.

As always, feel free to reach out for any travel inquiries, whether you are a marathoner or not.