2026 Honolulu Marathon - Dec 13 Countdown

Q: How do you enter the Honolulu Marathon — is there a lottery?

There is no lottery — entry is open registration. Fees are tiered by residency and rise as race day nears: roughly Hawaii residents $96, U.S. &amp; Canada $138–152 in the early windows, with international entries opening in February. There is no qualifying time required.

Q: Is there a time limit for the Honolulu Marathon?

No — there is no time limit, famously "only Aloha spirit." The course stays open for as long as you need, and walkers and first-timers are welcome. Combined with the warm weather, that is why most runners treat it as an experience rather than a race against the clock.

Q: What time does the Honolulu Marathon start, and why so early?

It starts at 5:00 a.m., in the dark, with a fireworks send-off over Ala Moana. The pre-dawn start lets runners cover as much distance as possible before the tropical sun and heat build through the morning.

Q: Is the Honolulu Marathon course flat, and how much climbing is there?

It is mostly flat with about +195 m (641 ft) of rolling gain. The only real climbs are around Diamond Head — once early and once near the end on the ocean side — and the highest point is just 124 ft, near mile 9. The bigger challenge is the heat and humidity, not the hills.

Q: Is the Honolulu Marathon a Boston qualifier?

The course is USATF-certified and finishing times can be used to qualify for Boston. In practice, the December heat, humidity and no-time-limit party atmosphere make it a poor place to chase a PR or BQ — runners targeting a fast time usually pick a cooler race. Check your target with our Boston Qualifying Calculator.

Q: What is the weather like, and what should I wear?

Expect warm, humid tropical conditions — around 73°F / 23°C at the 5am start, climbing into the low 80s°F (about 28°C) with high humidity and the chance of trade-wind showers. Dress light and breathable, plan to hydrate aggressively, and use sunscreen for the post-dawn miles.

-- DAYS

-- HRS

-- MIN

-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

Race Information

Race	2026 Honolulu Marathon - Dec 13
City	Honolulu
Date	2026-12-13 at 05:00
Field Size	~30,000 runners
Time Limit	No time limit
Timezone	Pacific/Honolulu
Official Site	Honolulu Marathon Association
Registration	Register

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	23°C / 73°F
Humidity	72%
Wind	14 km/h
Rain Chance	40%
Typical Conditions	Warm, humid tropical December morning — heat, not cold, is the challenge

What to Prepare: Honolulu in December is warm and humid: expect a start around 73°F / 23°C climbing into the low 80s°F (around 28°C) with high humidity, occasional trade-wind showers, and strong sun after dawn. The 5am start exists to beat the worst of the heat. Run by effort not pace, hydrate early and often, and treat a sub-goal finish as a bonus — most runners come for the experience.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 14 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	Loop
Elevation Gain	195m
Terrain	Road (coastal city + Diamond Head)
Profile	A scenic, mostly flat loop with about +195 m (641 ft) of rolling gain — the only real climbs are up and around Diamond Head, once early and once on the ocean side near the end. Starting on Ala Moana Boulevard at Ala Moana Beach Park before dawn, the route passes downtown Honolulu and Iolani Palace, runs through Waikiki, climbs Diamond Head, heads out through Kahala to the Hawaii Kai turnaround, then returns along the coast to finish in Kapiolani Park. The highest point is just 124 ft, near mile 9. USATF-certified with open registration.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Honolulu Marathon - Dec 13

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

Use Calculator →

Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

Use Calculator →

Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

Use Calculator →

Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

How much will hills slow you down? Enter elevation gain, loss, and distance to see adjusted pace, di...

Use Calculator →

Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

Convert uphill or downhill running pace to flat-equivalent GAP in one click. Free grade adjusted pac...

Use Calculator →

Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

Use Calculator →

View all running tools

Featured In

Best Marathons for Beginners 2026 Best Marathon Destination Races for Travel in 2026 Best Marathons for Charity Running in 2026 Best Marathons for Female Runners in 2026 Best Marathons for Running Groups & Clubs in 2026 Best Marathons with Historic Routes & Heritage in 2026 Best US Marathons 2026 Best Marathons for First-Time Runners Over 40 (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you enter the Honolulu Marathon — is there a lottery?

There is no lottery — entry is open registration. Fees are tiered by residency and rise as race day nears: roughly Hawaii residents $96, U.S. & Canada $138–152 in the early windows, with international entries opening in February. There is no qualifying time required.

Is there a time limit for the Honolulu Marathon?

No — there is no time limit, famously "only Aloha spirit." The course stays open for as long as you need, and walkers and first-timers are welcome. Combined with the warm weather, that is why most runners treat it as an experience rather than a race against the clock.

What time does the Honolulu Marathon start, and why so early?

It starts at 5:00 a.m., in the dark, with a fireworks send-off over Ala Moana. The pre-dawn start lets runners cover as much distance as possible before the tropical sun and heat build through the morning.

Is the Honolulu Marathon course flat, and how much climbing is there?

It is mostly flat with about +195 m (641 ft) of rolling gain. The only real climbs are around Diamond Head — once early and once near the end on the ocean side — and the highest point is just 124 ft, near mile 9. The bigger challenge is the heat and humidity, not the hills.

Is the Honolulu Marathon a Boston qualifier?

The course is USATF-certified and finishing times can be used to qualify for Boston. In practice, the December heat, humidity and no-time-limit party atmosphere make it a poor place to chase a PR or BQ — runners targeting a fast time usually pick a cooler race. Check your target with our Boston Qualifying Calculator.

What is the weather like, and what should I wear?

Expect warm, humid tropical conditions — around 73°F / 23°C at the 5am start, climbing into the low 80s°F (about 28°C) with high humidity and the chance of trade-wind showers. Dress light and breathable, plan to hydrate aggressively, and use sunscreen for the post-dawn miles.

How big is the Honolulu Marathon, and how many runners come from Japan?

It is one of the largest U.S. marathons — recent editions have drawn more than 35,000 participants across the weekend's events. Runners from Japan make up about 31% of entrants (down from 63% in 1995), the largest international group, and Japan Airlines (JAL) is the long-time title sponsor of what is known as the JAL Honolulu Marathon.