Adjust for the heat before you start
Warm, humid air slows everyone down. Pick a goal a little slower than you’d target in cool weather, and start at it. You can always speed up after mile 20.
Honolulu, HI · Sunday, December 13, 2026
Honolulu Marathon race guide
Honolulu starts at 5 a.m. in the dark, winds through downtown and Waikiki, and is flat almost everywhere except the two times it climbs around Diamond Head: once near mile 8 and again near mile 24. There’s no time limit, which makes it a favorite for first marathons. The real challenge is the warmth and humidity, which build once the sun comes up over Kalanianaole Highway.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
Everyone starts at 5:00 a.m. Later groups take a few minutes to cross the line.
Splits
Your Honolulu Marathon02
Average pace
8:01/mi
- First half
- 1:45:04
- Second half
- 1:44:56
- Finish line
- 8:30 a.m.
Hover or tap a bar to see that mile.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Iolani PalaceMile 3 · Still dark. Should feel easy | 23:58 | 5:24 a.m. |
| WaikikiMile 5.5 · Settle into goal effort | 43:57 | 5:44 a.m. |
| Top of Diamond HeadMile 9.2 · Highest point. Behind pace here is fine | 1:13:55 | 6:14 a.m. |
| Halfway, Kalanianaole HwyMile 13.1 · Sun’s up. Keep drinking | 1:45:04 | 6:45 a.m. |
| Hawaii KaiMile 17 · Flat and exposed. Hold steady | 2:16:09 | 7:16 a.m. |
| Diamond Head, second climbMile 24.5 · Last hill. Downhill from the top | 3:16:22 | 8:16 a.m. |
| FinishMile 26.2 · Kapiolani Park | 3:30:00 | 8:30 a.m. |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, December 13, 2026
- Start time
- 5:00 a.m. HST, all groups together
- Start
- Ala Moana Boulevard at Queen Street, by Ala Moana Beach Park
- Finish
- Kapiolani Park, near the bandstand
- Time limit
- None. Every finisher counts, however long it takes
- Elevation gain
- About 410 ft
- Official site
- honolulumarathon.org
- Profile
- Flat, apart from two climbs of about 100–130 feet around Diamond Head
- Best for
- A first marathon or a bucket-list race. There’s no time limit
- Biggest mistake
- Running your cool-weather goal pace in warm, humid air
- Start
- 5:00 a.m., in the dark, for every group
The course
Mile by mile, at your pace
- Miles0–4
Downtown in the dark Flat
You start on Ala Moana Boulevard, follow the harbor past Aloha Tower, and turn through Chinatown and down King Street past Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha statue and the holiday lights at Honolulu Hale. It’s flat and still dark. Settle in and let the crowd thin out.
7:59 /miMile 4 at 31:585:32 a.m.
- Miles4–7
Ala Moana & Waikiki Flat
Back along Ala Moana Boulevard past Ala Moana Center, over the Ala Wai Canal into Waikiki, and down Kalakaua Avenue past the beach. Around mile 6 you turn up Monsarrat Avenue past the zoo toward Diamond Head.
7:59 /miMile 7 at 55:565:56 a.m.
- Miles7–10
Around Diamond Head Climb
Diamond Head Road climbs around the crater, rising to about 110 feet near mile 8, dipping, and topping out around 130 feet a mile later, according to the official elevation chart. Run it by effort. You have 16 miles to go and the heat hasn’t arrived yet.
8:07 /miMile 10 at 1:20:166:20 a.m.
- Miles10–15
Kahala & Kalanianaole Highway Flat
Through Kahala on Kilauea Avenue, then about four miles on Kalanianaole Highway past Aina Haina and Niu Valley. It’s flat and wide open, and this is roughly where the sun comes up for many runners. Start drinking on schedule now, not when you feel thirsty.
7:59 /miMile 15 at 2:00:107:00 a.m.
- Miles15–20
The Hawaii Kai loop Flat
Hawaii Kai Drive loops around the inland waterway with Koko Head ahead of you, then rejoins the highway at Maunalua Bay. It’s flat, sunny and quiet. Steady, even effort wins here.
7:59 /miMile 20 at 2:40:067:40 a.m.
- Miles20–24
Back toward town Flat
Back along Kalanianaole Highway, then onto Kealaolu Avenue past Waialae Country Club at mile 22 and along Kahala Avenue. A short rise near the country club is the warm-up for the last climb.
8:03 /miMile 24 at 3:12:198:12 a.m.
- Miles24–26.2
Diamond Head again & the finish Climb
Diamond Head Road climbs one more time, to about 100 feet near mile 24.5, past the lighthouse and the Cliffs. From the top it’s downhill onto Kalakaua Avenue and into Kapiolani Park for the finish.
7:58 /miFinish at 3:30:008:30 a.m.
Every mile split for 3:30:00
| Mile | Terrain | Pace /mi | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat | 7:59 | 7:59 | 5:08 a.m. |
| 2 | Flat | 8:01 | 16:00 | 5:16 a.m. |
| 3 | Flat | 7:58 | 23:58 | 5:24 a.m. |
| 4 | Flat | 7:59 | 31:58 | 5:32 a.m. |
| 5 | Flat | 7:59 | 39:57 | 5:40 a.m. |
| 6 | Flat | 7:59 | 47:56 | 5:48 a.m. |
| 7 | Flat | 8:00 | 55:56 | 5:56 a.m. |
| 8 | Climb | 8:24 | 1:04:20 | 6:04 a.m. |
| 9 | Rolling | 8:00 | 1:12:20 | 6:12 a.m. |
| 10 | Downhill | 7:56 | 1:20:16 | 6:20 a.m. |
| 11 | Rolling | 8:02 | 1:28:18 | 6:28 a.m. |
| 12 | Flat | 7:55 | 1:36:13 | 6:36 a.m. |
| 13 | Flat | 7:59 | 1:44:12 | 6:44 a.m. |
| 14 | Flat | 7:59 | 1:52:11 | 6:52 a.m. |
| 15 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:00:10 | 7:00 a.m. |
| 16 | Flat | 8:01 | 2:08:11 | 7:08 a.m. |
| 17 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:16:09 | 7:16 a.m. |
| 18 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:24:08 | 7:24 a.m. |
| 19 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:32:07 | 7:32 a.m. |
| 20 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:40:06 | 7:40 a.m. |
| 21 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:48:07 | 7:48 a.m. |
| 22 | Flat | 8:04 | 2:56:11 | 7:56 a.m. |
| 23 | Flat | 7:56 | 3:04:07 | 8:04 a.m. |
| 24 | Climb | 8:12 | 3:12:19 | 8:12 a.m. |
| 25 | Rolling | 8:05 | 3:20:24 | 8:20 a.m. |
| 26 | Downhill | 7:51 | 3:28:15 | 8:28 a.m. |
| Finish | Flat | 7:59 | 3:30:00 | 8:30 a.m. |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Honolulu Marathon
Climb Diamond Head by effort, twice
Both climbs are short. Let the pace drop on the way up and recover on the way down, rather than pushing to hold your split.
Fuel and drink early
The middle of the race is long, flat and sunny. Drinking from the first aid stations matters more here than in a cool-weather race.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do some long runs in warm weather, or overdressed, so the humidity isn’t a shock.
- Practice a 4 a.m. wake-up and an early breakfast before a few long runs.
- Add a short climb near the end of long runs to rehearse the second trip around Diamond Head.
Race-day weather
December race mornings in Honolulu are warm and humid, usually somewhere in the upper 60s to 70s°F at the start, and it heats up once the sun is out. Plan your pace and your drinking for warm conditions.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- Free shuttles run from the Honolulu Zoo to the start between 2 and 4 a.m. They’re limited, so board early, or walk or get dropped off if your hotel is close.
- Enter the start area only from behind the start line: Piikoi Street, Atkinson Drive, or from Waikiki.
- Start groups are color-coded by predicted finish time and shown on your bib. Line up under your color’s banner.
- There’s no gear check at the start. You can drop a clear, labeled bag at the finish area in Kapiolani Park on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bags not collected by 3 p.m. are donated.
Questions runners ask.
Is there a time limit?
No. The Honolulu Marathon has no cutoff, so you can run, walk or mix the two and still finish.
How hilly is Honolulu?
It’s flat apart from two climbs around Diamond Head, near miles 8–9 and 24–25. The official elevation chart tops out at about 130 feet.
How do I get to the start?
Free shuttles run from the Honolulu Zoo between 2 and 4 a.m. and drop off at Atkinson Drive and Ala Moana Boulevard. Many runners staying in Waikiki or near Ala Moana walk instead.
Is it a good first marathon?
It’s one of the most popular for that reason: no time limit and a festive atmosphere. Just respect the heat and humidity, and start slower than you think you need to.
Last checked October 20, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
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