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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 41 to 51]
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Pablito Amascual from Waipahu, Hawaii
(12/23/2010)
 "This was my first-ever marathon experience." (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The only thing that was not good about the marathon was the way the water and Gatorade was handled. The water and Gatorade were being prepared and served not in the most sanitary way. I had to stop at a convenience store every time I get thirsty to purchase my "CLEAN" drinking water. Thank goodness for Aloha Mini Marts and a 7-11 store along the route. | |
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Dr. Tom Hallee from Manzanita, OR
(12/23/2010)
 "My 7th and best Honolulu Marathon!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a glorious day for the marathon, from the thundering fireworks show to the sunrise off of Diamond Head, and the long trek out and back on Kalanianaole Highway to the well-cheered finish, after the LONGEST 0.2 miles in the world! Kudos to the whole organization for an event extremely well done. I'll be back next year. | |
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Pam Penfield from Denver, Colorado
(12/17/2010)
 "beautiful day" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I have run the Honolulu Marathon 27 times, and I think the weather was the absolute best this year - a little rain (for good luck) and an overcast sky. I have to say that this is my favorite even though it isn't the most scenic. I love the other runners - so friendly. | |
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A. S. from Honolulu, Hawaii
(12/15/2010)
"Poor dollar value for destination marathoners" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Since we moved to Honolulu this year, I entered this race at a discounted local's rate. Everything in this city has 2 prices: a super high price to get as much money as possible from visitors and the discounted price for residents. I read the race reviews on this website so I was prepared for the negatives, which were all true. Like at the Nike Women's Marathon, there are a lot of runners who don't know the courtesies. I'm not sure what the organizers can do about that. I was cut off constantly. Spectators don't clap or cheer much, even alongside the finish chute. It was hard to tell when aid stations were coming up, and there were poor finish area organization and amenities. But the positives are all true too - no time limit, very friendly volunteers. Just don't expect to get much for the big entry fee if you're coming from out of state. | |
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S. C. from Portland Oregon
(12/14/2010)
 "Where is the MEDAL!?!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Around mile 23 I started focusing on getting to the finish line and wondering WHAT WILL THE MEDAL LOOK LIKE. At the finish line you get a cheap shell necklace. No medal. HUH? Did I just run 26.2 and only get a shell necklace? Alas, it's a treasure hunt to find the medal. Hint, it's with the other treasure hunt item... your finishers' shirt. Other than than, not a bad race. NICE starting at 5 a.m. That really pays off for us northerners not used to running in the humidity. Water and Gatorade on the course for intake. NOTHING else. Overall not a bad marathon, but with a little effort they could make it a much better experience. | |
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T. H. from Sherwood, OR
(12/14/2010)
"Be prepared for heat and have a great time" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The medal was great, and watching the sunrise was amazing. There were lots of ambulance calls at the turn around miles 16-20. You need to be ready to train with salt to replenish yourself. The finish area was good for the shell leis and shower area, but there's a long walk to get your actual medal and t-shirt, which should be changed. Also would be good to warn people of the 2-mile (plus) walk back to some of the hotels so you can bring money for a shuttle. Lots of volunteers, and great aid station support. Enjoy Hawaii. | |
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Allen Babaran from California
(12/13/2010)
"Fine course, poor organizaton and lots of tourists" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 If it weren't for the fact that it was held in Paradise, I would probably rate this race lower. First the course: despite previous comments from others who have run this race, I actually found the course quite scenic. The sunrise at mile 9 was stunning and the neighborhoods were very attractive. However, due to the immense number of Japanese "tourist runners" who knew little running etiquette, your time suffered dodging people with video cams and cameras. Seriously, the first 6 miles of the course were congested with tourists posing with the sites, and you ended up weaving through them. The organization was not on a par with Chicago or New York or Seattle. The start of the race was highly disorganized, and at the end of it, you had to go and track down where to get your tech shirt and medal. The Japanese fans were high-spirited, though, and their presence was appreciated. Overall, this was a hard marathon for me, with hills, heat and humidity wreaking havoc to my hydration. I love Hawaii and Honolulu, and enjoy the energy of the Japanese crowd, but I'm glad to get this state out of the way. | |
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P. O. from Seattle, Washington
(6/26/2010)
"It's Time To Do It Again" (about: 2001)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's been 9 years since I ran this marathon, and it was the BEST experience of my life. It's time to do it again. | |
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c. j. from hawaii
(6/22/2010)
"WHERE'S the MEDAL???" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I agree with some of you. It was a course full of hills. I did see some beauty, but it was hidden much of the time. I was ok with that but I was VERY upset with the fact that I had to go FIND my finishing medal. WHAT? YES, it was like a game to see if I could locate what I had just spent 26.2 miles running to get. EVERY marathon I have ever done puts that medal on you before you get 10 feet from the finish line; you earned it - it is immediate! I was wondering if they ran out! The refreshments should have been in a RACERS-only area and then there should have been an exit to the area for the general public. Instead, there were so many things - tents, people, kids, pets - and all that I wanted was a drink, a banana and MY MEDAL! | |
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Alan Picard from Ka'imuki
(6/5/2010)
"It's a people's marathon, gang. Share the aloha!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is in response to all who grumbled about the 2009 Honolulu Marathon. I understand some of your frustrations, especially if you have not been here before. Believe me, I've shared them, having finished the race every year since 1977, when only 3,500 of us toed the start line. There have been many changes over the years, including '95, when over 34,000 of us made Honolulu the biggest marathon in the world. But there are things you should understand before giving this event a "thumbs down." First, it is a people's marathon. Anyone who wants to start and try to finish is welcome. The HMA is justifiably proud that everyone who is not in danger can finish, no matter how long it takes. So you will encounter many first-timers. One reason for the large number of Japanese participants is that they can't enter a marathon in Japan without qualifying first . Some come to Honolulu to make a qualifying time, but for many it is their first, and only, marathon experience. As for the signs in Japanese, and the private tents at the finish, most are provided by their own running clubs, not the HMA. The course may not be as scenic as you expected, but there are no alternatives that could start and finish near Waikiki, where the majority of visitors stay. It is laid out along streets where police can control traffic and keep the course safe. Also remember that we cause great inconvenience to people who live along the course, but they bear with it and show aloha every year. Don't come to Honolulu to grumble. Come to enjoy this event for what it is, and feel the aloha. Mahalo! |
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