Let me begin by saying, I wouldn’t have modified a factor about our total Hawaii journey…however the fact is I’d 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 a tremendous 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 little thing 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 the planet…thus my expectations of group and finisher swag was fairly excessive.
Let’s undergo the not so nice, the completely distinctive and the nice factors of this race.
Honolulu Marathon Evaluation
Hear I had a wonderful day on the race. However I want we’d had some data getting into to it. So I’m going to present it you you straight from our expertise.
Professional – The Expo
The expo was by far and away probably the most attention-grabbing that I’ve ever seen!! Japanese signage and firms abounded, creating a very distinctive ambiance…however simply if 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 full of tons of distinctive costumes, the truth is I recall Jodi asking me at one level “Is there one thing I’m lacking, why are all these guys dressed like ladies?!”
After all it wasn’t simply the runners, it was lots of the cheer stations too!
Con: No corrals for 30,000 runners
Having heard horror tales the evening 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 a substitute, we spent at the very least 3 miles dodging walkers after which squished in to 1 lane roads which induced quite a few bottlenecks slowing everybody down. Waves or corrals would simply repair this.
Con: No pacers
We additionally observed later that even with the tiny house allotted initially for various occasions, there weren’t really any pacers. I didn’t understand how regularly throughout a race I search for these to have an thought of the place I’m or after we have been on the lookout for fellow 26 Robust 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 Beneath Armour had sufficient in inventory to provide. Which makes me marvel, why would such a fantastic 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 sort of indicators to essentially assist facilitate that pre-planned assembly level.
Con -Put up 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 lodge 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 facet of the street.
In reality, one other racer requested me about this publish race “is that ordinary for a race this measurement??” Uh no, the flock of individuals criss crossing the street undoubtedly 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 significant win to me. If I don’t need to stand up further early for a shuttle and may shortly get again to my lodge after, life is sweet.
Large Professional – The Course
Actually I feel what makes this race a High 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 in a position to 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 arduous.
- The views
- Tons in fact photogs
- Begin line fireworks
- The views (value 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 via neighborhoods, however right here they have been absolutely on board and able to cheer
- ROTC holding a dividing rope all the way in which up the most important hill and cheering like loopy each few toes.
- Nice fellow runners – I talked to a lot of individuals through the race and after. Everybody was so sort and even with grumbles of the beginning pleased as we have been to be there.
- TONS of help crew – each water station was manned by a slew of pleased cheering individuals. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen extra volunteers on a course.
- 2 minute stroll from the end line to the seaside…ahhhh ocean water remedy.
Honolulu Marathon Course Ideas
Some would name this course flat, I’d name it flippantly rolling hills.
There are additionally just a few massive 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 undoubtedly hung out strolling after I would have most popular to be operating.
After 3 or so miles it appears to loosen up a bit, however it is a actually massive race so you’ll at all times be round lots of people.
Miles 4-7
Hear a variety of this course goes via neighborhoods, so possibly not the vistas you anticipated. However we nonetheless discovered it lovely due to the palm bushes 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 massive hills right here. Do not forget 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 soak up some carbs proper earlier than you hit the hills for a lift of power.
Miles 11- 23
An excessive amount of this race is out and again which suggests you’ll be passing runners going every route.
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 variety of knowledge round how these little issues can enhance 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 suggests it’s worthwhile to be on prime of all that hydration and fueling. Do not forget that even when you don’t really feel like fueling, that is the place it’s going to repay!
Learn how one can gasoline a marathon when you want suggestions!
Honolulu Marathon Coaching Ideas
As famous, I wasn’t the skilled coach I’m now, nor was there as a lot data on-line about this race…so if I’d recognized then…
- You’ll be coaching via chilly months, which goes to make the warmth/humidity really feel more durable. Checkout all of my tips about operating within the warmth and humidity so that you might be ready on race day with all of the methods.
- Strive getting in some sauna periods 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 when you’re going for a PR sort of race
- ENJOY! I imply you’re in paradise.
- Keep in mind it’s an extended flight, so put on compression socks going and coming to forestall blood clots.
- Save your sightseeing for publish race.
- Plan forward to your pre-race dinner and morning of breakfast. You’ll wish to know what’s obtainable.
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 stored Jodi from getting too scorching and ensured cloud cowl the entire race.
Sadly, we had just a few 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 if you step in a puddle and understand your total foot is now squishy.
But with out that rain, I’d by no means have captured Jodi operating below a rainbow!!!
All of that being stated, would I like to recommend this race?
Mmmm possibly…when you needed a Hawaiian trip with a race then sure go have some enjoyable. In case you are on the lookout for any type of PR or perhaps a first marathon, no this isn’t the race I’d choose.
Actually what a fantastic journey to spend this weekend operating with 8 different groups from the Saucony 26 Robust program. It was such enjoyable to listen to everybody discuss their coaching, see them on the course after which share within the publish marathon shuffle as all of us started heading dwelling.
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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