Honolulu Marathon

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Sports & AdventureHonolulu
Dates13 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-About 18,805 people
Best forCompetition, enduranceUnlike most major marathons, Honolulu
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Honolulu Marathon in Honolulu

The Honolulu Marathon is a 26.2-mile road race through Honolulu, run each year on the second Sunday in December since 1973. Branded the JAL Honolulu Marathon for its longtime title sponsor Japan Airlines, it draws tens of thousands of finishers, including a large share of first-time runners from Japan, and has no qualifying times, lottery, or finish-line time limit.

The Honolulu Marathon began in 1973 as the project of Honolulu's mayor Frank Fasi, who had watched the Boston Marathon and wanted Honolulu to have a race of its own.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike most major marathons, Honolulu imposes no qualifying standard, no entry lottery, and no cutoff time, so walkers and elite runners share the same course from before dawn until the final finisher crosses

02

The mystery stays covered

Founded in 1973 by Honolulu mayor Frank Fasi after he watched the Boston Marathon, and championed early on by cardiologist Jack Scaff, who prescribed distance running as heart therapy, the race grew into one of the five largest marathons in the United States

03

The city starts moving

Its deep, decades-long following among Japanese runners is unmatched among American marathons, and the Honolulu Marathon Association still keeps a Tokyo office to process entries

04

The water draws everyone in

That blend of open access, tropical scenery, and cross-Pacific community has made it a fixture of Honolulu's sporting calendar for over fifty years

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The marathon keeps its founding promise of open access alive: there is still no qualifying time

Water and renewal

Living ritual

no entry lottery

The sacred route

Living ritual

and no official time limit

The local code

Living ritual

so the course stays open until the last participant finishes

Tradition 5

Living ritual

often many hours after the leaders

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The pre-dawn mass start beneath fireworks has become a signature moment

Tradition 7

Living ritual

and the Honolulu Marathon Association's continued presence in Tokyo reflects the race's unusual

Tradition 8

Living ritual

decades-old bond with Japanese distance runners

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

13 December 2026

Getting around

Getting to Honolulu Marathon works best when arrival and return routes are decided before the busiest part of the day.

What to wear

Lightweight, moisture-wicking running gear is standard: shorts or split shorts, a breathable singlet or tech shirt, and well broken-in running shoes. Reflective or light-colored clothing...

Safety

Honolulu Marathon is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Honolulu, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.31 N, 157.86 WOpen in Google Maps

Honolulu, HI

Nearest airportHNL — Daniel K. Inouye
TransportGetting to Honolulu Marathon works best when arrival and return routes are decided before the busiest part of the day.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Honolulu, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Honolulu via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Honolulu, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearLightweight, moisture-wicking running gear is standard: shorts or split shorts, a breathable singlet or tech shirt, and well broken-in running shoes. Reflective or light-colored clothing helps in the pre-dawn start, and a hat or visor plus sunglasses become useful once the sun rises over the course.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Honolulu Marathon?

Honolulu Marathon is listed for 13 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Honolulu Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in Honolulu, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Honolulu, HI

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhonolulumarathon.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates13 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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