FAQs for the Honolulu Marathon Weekend

When is the 2026 Honolulu Marathon Weekend?
December 12 & 13, 2026.

Three event distances:
Kalakaua Merrie Mile – 7am Saturday, December 12
Start to Park 10k – 5am Sunday, December 13
JAL Honolulu Marathon – 5am Sunday, December 13

How do I enter the Honolulu Marathon Weekend?

ONLINE: You can find out more about signing up through our How to Enter page!

Qualifying Time/Entry Limits
There are no qualifying times for the JAL Honolulu Marathon nor are there any entry limits.

Will there be photographers?
Yes, MarathonFoto is the official photo company.
Remember to wear your race bib on your front so you can be identified by your bib number.

Is my entry refundable or deferrable?

Entries to the Honolulu Marathon Weekend events are not refundable or deferrable to the following year unless booking protection was purchased at the time of registration.
See the event registration waiver.

To initiate a refund claim, follow the link in your confirmation email or on your Manage Registration page.

Refunds claims are not handled by the Honolulu Marathon, but by the Refund Protect Group, and the Honolulu Marathon cannot influence or change or influence any decisions by Refund Protect.

Can I change my event distance?
Yes, please read on our Event Transfers page about how you can transfer your place to another person.

Can I transfer to the virtual race?
Not currently as the virtual race is not open for registration yet! It will be opened later in 2026.

You will have 1 month from the date of the marathon to complete the distance and submit your times. Your medal and t-shirt will be sent to you.

Does the Honolulu Marathon accept Late Entries?
Yes. Late Entry Registration takes place at the Marathon Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center

How do I receive my Race Packet?
Mandatory Race Packet Pick Up takes place during the Honolulu Marathon Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center. Race Packets containing Race Number and Timing Chip will be available for pick up.
To facilitate pickup, please bring your confirmation card, which will be emailed to you during race week, to the address you used at registration.

Each runner must pick up their own race packet. No one will be allowed to pick up a race number for a friend or family member.

How can I track a runner or find individual results?
The live tracking and results app and page will be updated with your race number during race week.

When does the finish line close?
The JAL Honolulu Marathon is the only world-class marathon that allows ALL participants to finish. There is no cut-off time!
All participants must remain in motion throughout and race officials reserve the right to remove any participant from the course for their safety and the safety of race staff and volunteers.

Can I walk the course?
Yes, walkers are welcome.

Are there many hills on the course?
The JAL Honolulu Marathon course is mostly flat with the exception of Diamond Head. The highest point on the course is 124 feet above sea level near mile 9. Click here for a course description and map.

Is there a half marathon course?
Our half marathon event, The Hapalua, ison the second Sunday in April.

We don’t have a half marathon event in December. The Start to Park 10k, a non-competitive 10K fun run/walk, will be held in conjunction with the start of the JAL Honolulu Marathon and covers the first 10K of the marathon course. It ends in Kapiolani Park where participants may wait for their marathon-running friends and family to finish.

What sports drink and gel will be available?
TBD
Gels will be available at four of  the aid stations, at 9 miles, 12 miles, 15 miles 20 miles (exact location may vary by up to half a mile).

Can I carry food and water?
Yes. There will also be 16 aid stations located along the course serving water and sports drink and providing professional medical assistance.

Can I skate the course?
No. All participants must self-propel themselves without assistance. No assistance conveyances and unauthorized vehicles including bicycles, baby carriages, all forms of skates, support walkers, walking sticks, poles and canes, etc. will be allowed on the course on race day.

Can I bring a stroller for my child?
Strollers are ONLY allowed to be used on the Start to Park 10k course. Those with strollers MUST start at the back of the Start field for safety reasons.

Can my dog run with me?
Sorry, no pets allowed, including but not limited to dogs and horses.

Can my friend run with me?
Those not officially entered and not wearing a race number are not allowed on the course.

Can I use earphones/headphones?
Yes.

When do I get a t-shirt?
The JAL Honolulu Marathon finisher shirt and medal are for finishers only and must be picked up at Kapiolani Park on Race Day. Look for the Finisher T-shirt Tent after you exit the finish area and pick up your t-shirt and medal because finisher shirts and medals will not be mailed.

If you’re doing the Start to Park 10k or the Kalakaua Merrie Mile, you will get your race shirt at packet pick up.

When do I get a Finisher Certificate?
You can collect your Finisher Certificate from Kapiolani Park at Finisher Monday.
A digital copy can also be downloaded from the results page.

What is the weather like on Race Day?
The temperature at the start can be in the mid 60’s and climb to the low 80’s by 10:00 AM. Don’t forget to check our weather link as it gets closer to Race Day.