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Honolulu Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Honolulu Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 203 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
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K. O. from New York, NY
(4/3/2004)
"Fun, Laid Back Race" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I grew up in Hawaii and came back to Honolulu to run this race for the fourth time, but the first time in nearly twenty years. In the last year I have also run two medium-sized marathons in Prague and Detroit. To generalize, the participants in this race fall into two camps. The first are the serious runners, who account for about 10% of the field. The rest are recreational runners, who account for the remaining 90%. This means that you have to get there early if you want to run a good time, because otherwise you will be stuck behind thousands of people who will be running/walking at 12 min/mile or slower from the very beginning. Another thing to bear in mind if you run this race - weather is a factor! It will be 70 degrees with high humidity and there will likely be a wind in your face for a significant portion of the course. When you consider the crowds and the weather it is difficult to set a PR here. By 3 hours into the race, the sun will be at full blast, and there is little shade to be had. There are a couple of other issues I should note - the expo is not that good and the race # pickup is poorly organized. The finish area is huge, but there is little food to be had. There is little spectator support due to the start time (5 am) and the route, which largely goes through residential areas in East Honolulu. All that said, this is a fun, very enjoyable race. If you can run 3:30 or better, you have a great boost to your ego, because you will finish in the top 500 out of over 20,000 and for the last 7 miles you will be running against a tide of runners headed in the opposite (outbound) direction. Water stops are good, and after the finish you can head to the beach and take a refreshing jump in the Pacific! You get a finisher shirt, an afterthought of a medal, a shell lei, and you can purchase additional very cool running attire from Nike at the finish and in Waikiki. One helpful hint: you can buy a lot of stuff for 50% off the day after the marathon when you pick up your finisher's certificate! If you fly out, go out on Friday or Saturday, stay on mainland time, run the race, and enjoy Hawaii after that. Airfares tend to be the lowest of the year in early December. | |
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Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH
(1/6/2004)
"Nice - but tough - course, needs better organizati" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my 22nd marathon. It was the hardest one yet. The course is mainly flat and very beautiful, but the heat, humidity, and strong wind made it tough going. The cold water sponges at the water stops were a life-saver. With the conditions, there should be a water stop every mile (not just ~16). The food at the end was sadly lacking in quality and variety (only cookies/apples). The race start needs to have corrals based on qualifying finishing times. An unbelieveable number of very slow runners lined up right at the start, making for a very frustrating first couple miles. I did enjoy the fireworks at the start. The fans were great at the end, but lacking during most of the middle of the course. The expo was tiny, which surprised me for a race of this size. Best reason for running the race? It's a great excuse for taking that wonderful Hawaiian vacation you've always dreamed about. :-) | |
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TED MAIN from SALT LAKE CITY,UTAH
(1/1/2004)
"Past Hawaii Resident, First Honolulu Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 First of all, to all those with negative comments? if you only understood the easy-going, laid-back Hawaii tradition. Great event, will come back next year. I lived in Hawaii all my life up to 1984 and I come back each year to do the Aloha Run. Spectators were great, thanks to the lady in Hawaii, Kai, who gave me the shredded mango. Runner-friendly course that anyone can enjoy... twc. | |
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d. p. from canada bc smithers
(12/21/2003)
"Would love to see the less elite represented" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The elite are just that, but the majority of us are only human - hahahah. Love to see awards with mom and son, father and daughter, etc. We the people make it all happen. Thank you for such a wonderfull race. I am 58 and finished 7th overall (I'm from Canada), and will be faster next year. Have won Honolulu with my daughter 4 times. Merry X-mas. Doug Pierce BC, Canada, Smithers | |
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S. J. from Nyack, NY
(12/21/2003)
"It's a magnificent experience! " (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 After shoveling 15 inches of snow a week before, all the complaints are minor. The scenery was great, and you get ice water and ice sponges all along the course which was a big help. The expo was a disappointment, they could use 4-5 more water stations (only 16 for a 80 degree marathon), and you get your times maybe every 5 miles. But, the marathon and Hawaii was awesome!!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!! | |
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L. R. from LA
(12/19/2003)
"Great excuse to visit Hawaii" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I must totally agree with the comments of the gentle runner from San Diego. Now, in all fairness, we arrived on the last day of the expo... Perhaps, it was better earlier in the week. The Nike marathon T-shirts are nice, but I recommend getting to the expo or local Nike stores early in the week to get the best selection... If the race entry fee was $50, I would have no complaints. But, with a $90 early entry fee and a large race, my expectations were higher. This is a large race with small race amenities, or lack of amenities. The biggest complaint was the after-race food - cookies (not Mrs. Fields but the 99-cents-a-pack grocery store variety) and apples. The secret is doing it as a member of a group or special party....All of the 'special interest groups' (including the sponsor Konami, Team in Training, etc...) have private party tents with bagels, ice cream, etc. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village which was very nice, and just as convenient as the Outrigger. Hawaii is beautiful with ideal weather, and worth the trip... | |
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Jeff Brillhart from Chesapeake, VA
(12/19/2003)
"Definitely Worth Getting Up For!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 9th marathon and I had an absolute blast!! Most of that was due the fact I qualified for Boston this year in Honolulu. So, don't believe anything you read about not trying to have a good race in Hawaii. Positives about the marathon: 1) Course - probably the most scenic 26.2 miles I'll ever run. Challenging but fair; 2) Cold/Wet Sponges at each aide station - a life=saver when the temp at start time (5am) is 70+ degrees; 3) Mist showers at the finish - very refreshing. Your family will demand it! Things to work on: 1) Friday night Luau - great idea but they need a better headliner other than world renown ukelele player?! Is there such a thing? Also, the luau started late; 2) The marathon provided free shuttle service to certain areas throughout the week. They need this the morning of the race to get runners from their hotel to the bus loading area; 3) The port-a-potties were designated as either male or female at a ratio of about 3(m) to 8(f). It created unnecessary waiting for the men. Make port-a-potties unisex; 4) The start - they need to find a way to put people in order of expected finish. Again, a great race. Warmer than I'd like for a marathon and very windy. The wind cooled me down but made it rough during some of the lonely miles (miles 12-18). Fans were great. Just wish I could have understood them! | |
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W. H. from San Diego
(12/16/2003)
"Good, not great" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 For a marathon which attracts both East and West in a beautiful setting, you would think it would be far more grand in character. The expo is a total embarassment to runners and the 'backers' (JAL and Nike) should be ashamed. To be this large a corporate entity and put on a 'backstage' cramped petite 'expo' was a joke. There were none of the usual pleasure of multiple vendors, food, world-class runners, posters, etc. found at other classy marathons. The 'host hotel' was also a joke without the usual services expected for a large marathon (no 24 hour room service, no food service the morning of the race, staff which are basic at best, etc.). The run was not well organized. Compared to Chicago which had priority starts for sub-4 hour runners, here walkers and 10 min. milers were at the front! The marathon ended with apples and cookies, none of the usual fanfare. Nice massages, though. | |
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L. C. from Kailua, HI
(12/14/2003)
"Great Race! I highly recommend it!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my fourth marathon and it is one not to be missed. I have run Marine Corps, Rock & Roll San Diego and Oklahoma but this one may have had the best fan support. I currently live in Hawaii and I was surprised by the support. Course has some great views! Only complaint was the hill by Diamond Head, 1st time you cross it, the lane was too narrow, hard to get around walkers, etc. On the way back (mile 24) its just tough, good way to challenge yourself. Gatorade stuff was a little too strong as well but as you can tell, my complaints are nitpicking. It's a great race! | |
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B. OKeefe from Detroit, MI
(11/5/2003)
"Nice beginner course, but not as scenic as expecte" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. Great place to take a trip and run a marathon. I enjoyed it. It was well organized. Honolulu is great. However, the course itself was not nearly as scenic as I had expected. My favorite parts were the first few miles when you are still in downtown, it is still dark, and all of the Christmas lights are up on the buildings. Tip: If you are making a vacation out of it, which I think most people do, and you are coming from the mainland US, I recommend you arrive only 1 or 2 days before the race, that way it is still easy to fall asleep early and get up early for the 5am start. Then, spend the rest of your vacation time relaxing and recovering from the race. |
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