Let me begin by saying, I wouldn’t have modified a factor about our whole Hawaii journey…however the reality is I might have gone in with my eyes a little bit extra wide-open when it comes to what to anticipate from the Honolulu Marathon.

We had an incredible time, however a part of a marathon is being mentally ready and in order that’s why I’m sharing what I want we’d have recognized.

Every part about this race was distinctive; I feel that’s a good phrase to make use of.

This was the forty second operating of the Honolulu Marathon which is typically billed as one of many prime 10 marathons on this planet…thus my expectations of group and finisher swag was fairly excessive.

Let’s undergo the not so nice, the completely distinctive and the good factors of this race.

Honolulu Marathon Evaluation

Pay attention I had a superb day on the race. However I want we’d had some info stepping into to it. So I’m going to offer it you you straight from our expertise.

Professional – The Expo

The expo was by far and away probably the most fascinating that I’ve ever seen!! Japanese signage and firms abounded, creating a very distinctive ambiance…however simply once you thought you’d seen all of it, you encountered an space that felt extra like a flea market with quilts and purses. Very cool.

Professional – The Costumes

The race was additionally stuffed with tons of distinctive costumes, in truth I recall Jodi asking me at one level “Is there one thing I’m lacking, why are all these guys dressed like girls?!”

After all it wasn’t simply the runners, it was most of the cheer stations too!

Con: No corrals for 30,000 runners

Having heard horror tales the night time earlier than, Jodi and I lined up within the 10 toes devoted to 4 hour marathoners and have been removed from being the one’s who have been being handed.

As an alternative, we spent not less than 3 miles dodging walkers after which squished in to 1 lane roads which precipitated quite a few bottlenecks slowing everybody down. Waves or corrals would simply repair this.

Con: No pacers

We additionally seen later that even with the tiny area allotted initially for various occasions, there weren’t truly any pacers. I didn’t notice how incessantly throughout a race I search for these to have an concept of the place I’m or after we have been on the lookout for fellow 26 Sturdy runners on the out and again course.

Con – Cotton finisher t-shirt

Seems they have been very late getting an attire sponsor and I’m guessing these shirts have been all that Below Armour had sufficient in inventory to produce. Which makes me marvel, why would such a terrific race have points getting any sponsor??

I haven’t gotten a cotton finisher shirt for something over a 5K in ages.

Con – No data to assist coordinate assembly household

After the race it’s good to have a pre-planned assembly level to search out your loved ones and associates so that you don’t have to fret about looking for them. Actually the map of the finisher space was terrible and didn’t have any type of indicators to essentially assist facilitate that pre-planned assembly level.

Con -Publish race meals

A cup of water, no bottles, a banana, a mini bagel and a giant ol’ donut gap {malasada}. Yup that’s it. I spent the 1.5 mile stroll again to the resort saying “man I’m thirsty” and significantly I used to be!

Con – Water cease confusion

For a race of this measurement, I used to be confused to search out water stops on just one aspect of the street.

Actually, one other racer requested me about this put up race “is that ordinary for a race this measurement??” Uh no, the flock of individuals criss crossing the street positively would have slowed down most runners. BUT they have been all cheerful and out within the rain for hours, so I absolutely admire them!

Professional – Simple Begin and End

We have been shut sufficient to stroll to each the beginning and from the end, which is a serious win to me. If I don’t should rise up further early for a shuttle and may rapidly get again to my resort after, life is sweet.

Huge Professional – The Course

Actually I feel what makes this race a Prime 10 have to be the views. There are different good issues, however different races simply can’t manufacture a view of the mountains and ocean.

Fortunately it wasn’t my first marathon, so I used to be capable of spend loads of time wanting up on the mountains, soaking within the rainbows and pointing them out to Jodi when she was targeted on her toes as all of us do when it will get exhausting.

• The views
• Tons after all photogs
• Begin line fireworks

• The views (price mentioning twice)
• Tons of water stations
• Good spectators– many providing slices of fruit and nice indicators! You by no means know what you’ll get by way of neighborhoods, however right here they have been absolutely on board and able to cheer

• ROTC holding a dividing rope all the best way up the most important hill and cheering like loopy each few toes.
• Nice fellow runners – I talked to numerous folks through the race and after. Everybody was so variety and even with grumbles of the beginning completely satisfied as we have been to be there.
• TONS of assist crew – each water station was manned by a slew of completely satisfied cheering folks. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen extra volunteers on a course.
• 2 minute stroll from the end line to the seashore…ahhhh ocean water remedy.

Honolulu Marathon Course Ideas

Some would name this course flat, I might name it calmly rolling hills.

There are additionally a couple of giant climbs which you’ll encounter at mile 8, 9 and naturally 24 as a result of what race doesn’t appear to complete uphill.

Early Miles

As famous it’s actually crowded, so that you both must be affected person or get to the entrance. We positively frolicked strolling once I would have most popular to be operating.

After 3 or so miles it appears to loosen up a bit, however this can be a actually giant race so you’ll all the time be round lots of people.

Miles 4-7

Pay attention a whole lot of this course goes by way of neighborhoods, so possibly not the vistas you anticipated. However we nonetheless discovered it stunning due to the palm timber and the spectators. There are additionally loads of assist stations, so reap the benefits of them.

Miles 8 -10

You’re going to hit a few huge hills right here. Keep in mind that your focus is on sustaining your effort stage on the uphill, not your tempo! By specializing in effort, you’ll decide time again up on the downhill with out burning your self out.

It’s additionally nice to absorb some carbs proper earlier than you hit the hills for a lift of power.

Miles 11- 23

A substantial amount of this race is out and again which implies you’ll be passing runners going every path.

Make the most of the excitment when seeing the early runners to cheer them on and when seeing anybody behind you to cheer them on! There’s a whole lot of knowledge round how these little issues can increase your temper and thus enhance your efficiency.

Mile 24

That is going to be your longest climb of the day and it’s late within the race, which implies you could be on prime of all that hydration and fueling. Keep in mind that even in case you don’t really feel like fueling, that is the place it’s going to repay!

Learn methods to gasoline a marathon in case you want ideas!

Honolulu Marathon Coaching Ideas

As famous, I wasn’t the skilled coach I’m now, nor was there as a lot info on-line about this race…so if I’d recognized then…

• You’ll be coaching by way of chilly months, which goes to make the warmth/humidity really feel tougher. Checkout all of my recommendations on operating within the warmth and humidity so that you could be ready on race day with all of the methods.
• Strive getting in some sauna classes or taking extra exercises to the treadmill
• Get in some rolling hills throughout your lengthy runs
• Line up close to the entrance to keep away from getting caught in case you’re going for a PR type of race
• ENJOY! I imply you might be in paradise.
• Bear in mind it’s an extended flight, so put on compression socks going and coming to stop blood clots.
• Save your sightseeing for put up race.
• Plan forward to your pre-race dinner and morning of breakfast. You’ll wish to know what’s out there.

Our Honolulu Marathon Day

Past the management of the race coordinators was our race day climate. It maintained a light-weight mist from begin to end which I didn’t complain about one tiny bit as a result of it saved Jodi from getting too scorching and ensured cloud cowl the entire race.

Sadly, we had a couple of factors of downpours mixed with 30 mile an hour wind gusts which have been a little bit bit much less nice, principally from rain pelting the face to that second once you step in a puddle and notice your whole foot is now squishy.

But with out that rain, I’d by no means have captured Jodi operating beneath a rainbow!!!

All of that being stated, would I like to recommend this race?

Mmmm possibly…in case you needed a Hawaiian trip with a race then sure go have some enjoyable. If you’re on the lookout for any kind of PR or perhaps a first marathon, no this isn’t the race I’d choose.

Actually what a terrific journey to spend this weekend operating with 8 different groups from the Saucony 26 Sturdy program. It was such enjoyable to listen to everybody discuss their coaching, see them on the course after which share within the put up marathon shuffle as all of us started heading house.

I’m unsure if this Honolulu marathon evaluation will sway you a method or one other, however I hope it helped!

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