Marathons in Hawaii

Hawaii marathons trade cool-weather PBs for tropical heat and island scenery, from the open, festival-scale Honolulu Marathon to the boutique Maui and Kona races. All three are below in date order.

Updated 2026-07-13 Sorted by race date. Field sizes and course data are checked against each race's official source.

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About marathons in Hawaii

Three races, one climate. Every Hawaii start sits in warm, humid air as the sun rises over the Pacific. The big one is the Honolulu Marathon each December on Oahu, with no qualifying time, no cap and a large Japanese field. Two boutique races round out the calendar: Maui in April, which threads the historic Lahaina coast onto Ka'anapali, and Kona on the Fourth of July along the rolling Ali'i Drive shoreline of the Big Island.

Choosing one. Honolulu offers the biggest energy and the easiest entry, but heat plus the Diamond Head climb (about 195 m of total gain) make it poor for a personal best. Maui is the gentlest profile here at roughly 46 m of gain, and Kona's rolling coast adds about 150 m. All three are open-entry and technically BQ-eligible, but the humidity is the real ceiling on your time. Whichever you pick, the playbook is the same: acclimate to the heat before race week, run by effort over pace, and treat the early start as a head start against the sun. Check a realistic island target with the race-time predictor before you commit to a goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest marathon in Hawaii?

The Honolulu Marathon is by far the largest, with a field of roughly 30,000 (about 20,000–23,000 finish the full each year). Held each December on Oahu, it is one of the biggest marathons in the United States and one of the most popular among international runners, especially from Japan. The Maui Marathon and the Kona Marathon are much smaller, more intimate island events.

Which Hawaii marathon is best for a fast time or a PB?

Honestly, none of them is an ideal choice for chasing a personal best. The constant tropical heat and humidity work against fast times, and the Honolulu course adds a climb around Diamond Head (about 195 m of total gain). On paper the flattest profile is Maui at roughly 46 m, with Kona rolling to about 150 m, and all three are technically Boston-qualifying eligible. But the humidity, not the hills, is what caps your time here. If your goal is a flat, cool, fast race, see the BQ race guide for mainland options; come to Hawaii for the scenery and run by effort.

When is marathon season in Hawaii and what's the weather like?

There is no single season; the marquee races spread across the calendar. The Honolulu Marathon runs in December, Maui near Lahaina in April, and Kona on the Big Island on the Fourth of July. Whatever the date, expect warm, humid tropical conditions: that is the constant. December avoids peak summer heat, but Honolulu's deep field owes more to its status as the no-cutoff December marquee, hugely popular with Japanese runners. Every race starts in the dark to get runners moving before the sun climbs, so build heat acclimation into your final training weeks.

How do I enter the Hawaii marathons — is there a lottery?

None of them uses a lottery or requires a qualifying time. Honolulu is open entry: just register online while spots are open and book travel early, since December is a busy time on Oahu. Maui and Kona are also first-come, open-registration races, and being smaller they rarely sell out. International runners need an ESTA or a B1/B2 visa to travel to the U.S.

Which Hawaii marathon is best for a first-timer or for the scenery?

For a first marathon, Honolulu is the easy answer: no time limit at all, a generous course closure, and huge crowd energy. If you want the most relaxed, scenic experience, Maui runs the Lahaina-to-Ka'anapali coastline and Kona follows the Ali'i Drive shore — both are smaller and quieter, with fewer aid stations and pacers. All three are genuine bucket-list destination races; the beginner guide and scenic-race guide can help you decide.

How do I get to the Hawaii marathons?

Honolulu is on Oahu, reached through Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport — the main gateway with the most direct flights from the mainland and Asia. Maui flies into Kahului, with the race over on the west side around Lahaina and Ka'anapali, so allow drive time from the airport. Kona is on the Big Island at Kona International Airport, with the course right in Kailua-Kona along Ali'i Drive. For all three, book flights and lodging well ahead — Hawaii travel fills up, especially around December.