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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: 202 [displaying comments 161 to 171]
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L. G. from Atlanta, GA
(8/31/2003)
 "Great First-Time Marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 2002 Honolulu marathon - my first - for the Arthritis Foundation Joints in Motion program. The race was, in a word, fabulous! The 5 AM start was no problem - I wouldn't have minded starting earlier to beat more of the heat - and the fireworks were really neat. There were loads of port-a-johns at the start and short lines, so use them there; they're hard to find during the race (didn't see any in the first 8 miles), and they had really long lines. I still remember all the guys standing close to the bushes at the side of the road along Waikiki - the women were out of luck. I'm a 'back of the pack' runner, so I got to enjoy the sunrise as I was coming up Diamond Head. The course was really crowded (many times you had to walk because there were so many people and you couldn't get around them) until about mile 9. The long stretch on the highway was boring and ugly, and there was a strong headwind. The crowd support was fantastic, though! There were people along the entire route, cheering us on, offering food, Vaseline, even beer around mile 25! The water supports were frequent and well-manned. And those icewater-soaked giant sponges were HEAVEN! Felt good to put that on my neck and head! I'm used to running in the heat/humidity (I live in Atlanta), and the run up Diamond Head is not too tough if you do any hill work - I felt very prepared for that with my training runs. The finish was great - the cool water mist, the seashell necklaces, ice water, and cheering crowds. You had to walk through the park to pick up your t-shirt and medal, but they were worth it. I was glad my family met me at the finish with my Teva sandals! While in Hawaii, I stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and it was great too. Had the best massage of my life the day after the race! All in all, this is a great race for a first-timer. And, let's face it, it's Hawaii in December!! | |
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Dennis Hodgson from Los Angeles, California
(7/15/2003)
"My first, and a great experience that hooked me. " (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I trained with the National AIDS Marathon Group for this one. It was my first marathon, and the experience was so good that I was hooked, and continued to run in two more marathons this year. Running over Diamond Head at sunrise was incredible. From the starting fireworks at 5 am to the ocean views and the cheering crowd. I was able to keep on running 'til I crossed the finish line, and went on to celebrate at Kapiolani Park. The only drag was the long, four-mile stretch along the highway. But I'd love to run this one again. | |
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Capt. Chad M. Allenbaugh from Somewhere in the Middle of the Pacific
(5/18/2003)
 "You learn alot about yourself in 26.2 Aloha Miles" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What more can you ask for, Honolulu at its best, the Climb and Ascent of around Diamond Head, 26.2 miles of Aloha Spirit! | |
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M. E. from Diamond Bar, CA
(3/27/2003)
 "You almost forget you're running a marathon" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon and I know I could have easily cut my time by an hour if I hadn't been distracted by the sights. I had such a great time, but I must say the first 10 miles was like trying to speed in rush-hour traffic. The scenery and weather was so beautiful you hardly notice when you're on Diamond Head. I'd definitely run this one again. | |
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J. B. from Denver, CO
(3/14/2003)
"humid, hilly & inspiring!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I trained hard for this one! I bested my PR by 4 minutes, but this was no easy feat. Extremely crowded at sections, uphill several times and the headwinds made for a challenging run. That being said...HAWAII!!! Gorgeous views and friendly, helpful organizers. I would do it again but not for a PR--solely to enjoy hawaii with a killer 26.2 mile run mixed in for good measure. mahalo. | |
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M. M. from South Carolina
(3/7/2003)
"Have fun, expect sun and forget about a PR" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A large, fun marathon that features fireworks, outstanding views and a world-class finish area. The race start is very crowded (even with the chip my first mile was 15:30) as is the first trek up Diamond Head (runners at some spots are forced into a single file situation). Overall, tons of fun with excellent organization, It's da kine! | |
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D. L. from San Diego, California
(1/4/2003)
"absolutleybreathtaking" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Hello to All - This was my 2nd marathon and it was an experience I will never forget.. I was not really happy with the time, although if you consider by 'weaving' I probably ran 30 miles, did quite well. I felt that Honolulu as a city welcomed the runners, decorated their city in a tropical Christmas fashion. To see and speak with people from all over the world was most gratifying. To see the support from the Japanease with huge smiles and banners waving was so motivational. I would thoroughly enjoy running here again. The fan and aid station were excellent..the only downside was the expo... for the amount of people attending felt that it could have been friendlier and larger. It is Oahu so much sightseeing to be done..My hats off to the organization and support of the city.. A San diego Runner | |
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A Runner from Apple Valley MN
(12/23/2002)
"This is definitely running in paradise..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 55th marathon and 1st HNL. Coming from MN, the weather was perfect for everyone else but still too warm for me. I'd run back-to-back 3:16's at Grandma's and TCM this year, so I had planned to run a sub-3:15. Didn't happen; no guts. I typically am fairly serious during marathons when others like to ham it up. However, for some reason, I laughed uncontrollably at Mile 16 when someone brought out a sound system and played the Venture's 1970 theme from Hawaii 5-0. The coolest thing of all was finishing ahead of my boyhood idol Frank Shorter, who unlike the other 'American Legends of Running,' didn't mind slogging it out with the masses. My time of 3:22:49 sucked like a Hoover, but I didn't care. This race is a lot of fun. My only disappointment came at the start. I had picked up a 'drop bag' the day prior only to find out there was no 'drop' on race day. I stashed my stuff in a tree and came back for it later. It was still there. The most pleasant (and unexpected surprise) came in the form of a drink called Amino Vital. This stuff is only made in Japan and is absolutely phenomenal!!! For the first time in 55 marathons (spanning 28 years) I HAD NO LATE RACE CRAMPING - AT ALL!!! The next day I walked around Waikiki with no sore muscles anywhere. When I recall this to others, I still weep openly. Nice job; want to return next year. | |
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A Runner from New York City
(12/16/2002)
"Great experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've witnessed many NYC marathons, and finally ran this one as a debut. The atmosphere was fantastic from the start, with nearly 30,000 marathoners, most from Japan and out of town, wandering around Waikiki. This created a nice, pleasant 'athlete's village' type of atmosphere. I only wish I spoke some Japanese, which would have made it easier to meet and chat with folks. The race itself is exciting, in part because of the local coverage, the number of visitors runing, and folks like Salazar, Shorter and Rodgers in town for the expo and race. Somehow, as exciting as NY is, the city is so big that the marathon can be swallowed up. That wasn't the case here. I liked the afterparty in Kapiolani, although the large number of private tents for different teams and tours reduced mingling, at least if you are not with those groups. I agree with the earlier post that it was fun seeing everyone moving slowly in finisher shirts for the next few days. I ran 3:30ish and had no real problem with the start, because I know from large NY races that you always set up ahead of your predicted finish. I was about 15 deep at the start and it was the right spot, although I was still passing people even then. If there is any shortcoming, I would say that there could have been better transportation between the expo, finish area, etc. in the days before the race. I know that there was supposedly a Nike shuttle, but no one ever knew where it was. I did way too much walking around in the sun prior to the race. Just run shuttles up Kalakaua all day. There also could have been some more food at the finish... basically, you could eat as many cookies as you wanted, but that was it. Throw in a few bagels or oranges or something.... But given that there were nearly 30K running, I'm not complaining. I loved all the local touches as well, such as the shell necklaces at the finish and the hula girls posing for pics. I'll be back for this race. | |
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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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