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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 171 to 181]
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Scott from Cincinnati, Ohio
(12/16/2002)
"What a great race!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I went to Hawaii for a vacation...and just happened that a marathon was going on. (This is what I told my wife) This is my fifth marathon in the past 14 months and could be my favorite (May be a tie with Chicago). The race was very well organized from the expo to the finish. Water stops were incredible with the sponges and volunteers. The 5 am start was perfect...I had about 14 miles in before the sun came up so the weather was no factor at all. It was slightly breezy but nothing to write home about. If you did some basic hillwork, the Diamond Head hills were a breeze. I plan on running this race every other year if possible. The 10k walk during the marathon is an incredible idea for family members waiting for runners in the marathon. Los Angeles Marathon organizers, wake up and look at this warm climate race to learn how to run a great event. Honolulu, way to go! Only gripes about the race was there was no pace groups, no gel stops, and not much in the way of organizing racers in the starting area based on pace. If you are moderately fast, get up front or you could be in for a long day. Overall a great course and well organized race. Do it someday! | |
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A Runner from Denver, CO
(12/13/2002)
"overall a great event" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first Honolulu marathon and by far the largest marathon I've ever run (nearly 26,500 finishers!). 2002 Twin Cities and 2002 Boston were the only other fairly large marathons I've run (my others were 2001 Tucson and 3 others with less than 500 runners). The buzz around town before, during and after the race was amazing (especially all the limping around at the beach and all the 'finisher' t-shirts being worn everywhere you looked). The early start wasn't too bad as I usually don't sleep to well the night before the race anyway. The fireworks were pretty cool. The weather was a little cooler than usual (they said) but the strong headwind made it tough going from miles 10 to 16 and the tailwind coming back certainly didn't offset. My only complaint was the way they handled the line up for race. While they did have signs and ropes for predicted finish times (I think I saw 2-3 hours; 3-4 hours; 4-5 hours and 5+ hours), the signs were pretty small and there were no announcements to inform people. Given the huge number of slow runners and first timers, I made the mistake of following the rules by lining up at the start of the 3-4 hours areas since I planned on running about a 3:15. I fought the crowds for over 5 miles before being able to run a steady pace. I finished in 3:09:29 (or 218 overall) so I must have passed thousands of runners. I guess I could look on the bright side - I ran a negative split! Maybe they could work on informing people in the pre-race info and announcements (or even offering some seeded numbers). Oh, one other cool thing about the course is that between miles 11 and 15 it overlaps with miles 22 to 18 so I was able to watch the leaders zooming back towards the finish as I was heading out. . . pretty cool. The Brian Wilson show and luau was also well organized and worth the money (even if Brian had to clear his throat a few times! and the weather didn't exactly cooperate). | |
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A Runner from San Francisco
(12/11/2002)
"Lots of fun, but kinda drab" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I had a good experience overall despite a lousy running time. The fans were great - everyone I passed was cheering and smiling, and seemed to really enjoy having us come and mess up their local traffic patterns. The organization was pretty tight. Aid stations were well staffed and well stocked. The fireworks at the gun were spectacular. I would have liked to have seen a sports drink other than Amino Vital - since I've never seen it I didn't want to try it on race day - but that's a personal preference. There weren't enough portajohns for all - lines were long at location and many runners relieved themselves where ever they could. That's bad. Still, the post-race area was pretty extensive and had a lot of cool stuff. I thought the course was boring. A simple out and back with not much vertical. I like vertical. There was a long stretch along a featureless highway, as well as through a development. Surely something a little more interesting could be found? All in all, as I said, I had a great time. While I would have changed some things, I'd certainly recommend it for most runners; especially as a TNT, Joints, or AIDS Foundation option. Cheers! | |
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A Runner from Honolulu, HI
(12/10/2002)
"Great race, but crowded" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My second marathon ever - it was fun but challenging. Weather in 2002 was perfect but a bit windy (headwind on the way out, tailwind on the way back). There are a lot of first-time marathoners so be prepared to do a lot of dodging around walkers during the first few miles, and definitely the first climb of Diamond Head is over-crowded so be prepared to 'muscle' your way through the crowds if you are properly trained and prepared for hills. Lots of aid stations with enthustiastic volunteers, the medal and lei are fantastic. If you don't want to walk Diamond Head (either direction), put in some good hill work beforehand. I did the Maui Marathon in September (4:35) so I didn't have enough time to train properly and was fighting a cold, but was still happy with my time (4:25). | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, CA
(12/9/2002)
"Well organized, beginners beware, great afterwards" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm sneaking my comments in before this year's runner's do. I ran this race in 2001. It was my first marathon and I trained with the AIDS Marathon training program. I've since run three other marathons so I now have some perspective. Given that 30,000 runners participate at this event, it is a very well organized marathon. The pre-dawn start at 5a is a little tough for folks who aren't morning people like myself, but very necessary given the weather. They make up for it with a great fireworks display to kick off the start. Flags indicating predicted finish times line the start to help organize the 30,000 starters. There were an adequate number of aid stations with a lot of good volunteers. Mile markers were easy to see and timing clocks were positioned at some key locations (e.g., 10K, half-marathon, 30K). Traffic control was excellent as it's a closed out-and-back course that allows zero cross car traffic. Spectator support was okay overall. It's plentiful thru Chinatown, Waikiki and Diamond Head. It's a little sparse thru Hawaii Kai and the crowds don't seem too enthusiastic. The best fans were in the Kahala Beach area at around mile 22 when you really need it. Beginners beware. I was told beforehand that this is a great marathon for first-timers. Correction, this race attracts a lot of first-timers (probably because it's open for 7 hours). There's a big difference. A good portion of these first-timers were fund raisers like myself and most of the 9,000 contingent from Japan. Many of them seemed under-trained and bonked as early as 12 miles in. If you don't normally train in 70'ish degree and 70'ish percent humidity, weather conditions are definitely a factor. Expect to run 2-3 minutes slower per mile. The Diamond Head hill isn't particularly steep, but it is long and climbing it after putting 23 miles under your legs is a little cruel. Surprisingly, I didn't find the course particularly scenic. The first 8 miles and the last 3 were nice. In between though expect a boring flat and hot highway with a couple of strip malls and some unspectacular tract housing areas. Afterwards though, the great organization continues. A welcomed misty shower right after the finish line, a nice finisher's photo area, a together t-shirt and medal pickup area, plenty of food and just the buzz of a big outdoor event. Plus, what better place than Hawaii to recover from a 26.2 mile run! | |
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A Runner from Cape Coral, Fl
(6/3/2002)
"MANY WALKERS PRESENT" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am 61 years old and this was my first marathon. It was wonderful. I completed it in 10 hours. I couldnt believe all the volunteers, they were great. I met many first time walkers. The finishers' t-shirt and medal was wonderful I was so proud to wear it the day after the race. My family still can't believed I finished. They followed my progress on their computers. For some reason I didnt register as I crossed the starting line, but my walking partner did so that was proof of my time. I know the day was long for the workers, but it was very disippointing that the finish 'line' was taken down. I was expecting more then a little path at the end. Maybe a sign that said finsh would have been nice. Also there was no food or drink to be found. I finally found water in the first aid tent. One other thing, I wasnt prepared for was returning back to my hotel. I must have missed the instruction in my packet. I had to take two city buses to get back. I could hardly climb the stairs. I would recommend this race to all. Just be prepared and do your training. I hope to come back to walk again or just visit your lovely city. Carol | |
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A Runner from Cape Coral, Fl
(6/3/2002)
"MANY WALKERS PRESENT" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am 61 years old and this was my first marathron. It was wonderful. I completed it in 10 hours. I couldnt believe all the volunteers, they were great. I met many first time walkers. The finishers t-shirt and medal was wonderful I was so proud to wear it the day after the race. My family still can't believe I finished. They followed my progress on their computers.But for some reason I didn't register as I crossed the starting line. But my walking partner did so that was proof of my time. I know the day was long for the workers but it was very disippointing that the finish 'line' was taken down. I was expecting more then a little path at the end. Maybe a sign that said finsh would have been nice. Also, there was no food or drink to be found. I finally found water in the first aid tent. One other thing I wasnt prepared for was returning back to my hotel. I must have missed the instruction in my packet. I had to take two city buses to get back. I could hardly climb the stairs. I would recommend this race to all. I hope to come back to walk again or just visit your lovely city. Carol | |
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A Runner from London,England
(3/21/2002)
"A well organised event" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run 10 marathons and even though it was a fairly hilly course, I rate it as the best organised run I have done; and Honolulu is great!!!! P.s. The 'W' Hotel Waikiki beach is a great hotel!!!! | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles, California
(1/24/2002)
"A Fabulous Experience !!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As a coach with the National Aids Marathon Training Program, not only was I fortunate enough to help over 200 runners reach their goal of finishing this Marathon, I also ran it myself. This is not a PR Marathon due to the heat, humidity and winds. The well organized race and the incredible beauty of the course make up for the slower finish times. My one complaint would be the narrow road up Diamond Head. Most runners slowed down and it was difficult to pass for those of us that were prepared for the hills. Most of my runners were first time Runners/Marathoners and had a blast !! We'll be back in 2002 !!! | |
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A Runner from Los Angeles, CA
(1/16/2002)
"Very rewarding experience" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The only negative on the entire run was the lack of restrooms for the first six miles. Other than that, it was an incredible experience. Running up Diamond Head as the sun rises from the ocean is a sight that you have to experience for yourself. |
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