Course Info

All races start and finish at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  The course opens at 6am and closes at 1pm. Runners can still get a finisher's medal if we are still there but the timer stops at 1pm.

This new temporary course for the Full and Half marathon will be used while the Singing Bridge is under construction for the next couple of years. The 10K, 5K, 2 Mile Fun Walk and the Marathon Relay Race will remain the same as they have been. The Half will run along the coast and view many beaches and beautiful coastline. The Full will run there also and out to the old mac nut farms and back.

The Start is in the underground parking lot at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  The Finish, for all races, is on the lawn behind the hotel.  The hotel is located on Banyan Drive.  If you are not staying at one of the hotels then you can park on the street around the hotels.  Do not park in the Nani Loa Hotel lots unless you are staying there.  You can park in the lots at Bayfront park and walk to the hotel, which is about 1 mile. You must be at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel before 6:00am to start the Marathon race which starts at 6:00am sharp in the underground garage.

MARATHON

 

Runners start in the underground parking lot at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Exit the parking lot and turn right on Lihiwai St. and run around the park on the ocean side of the park. Stay on Lihiwai St. to Bayfront Hwy and turn right. Stay on the Hwy and run through Bayfront Park. Exit the park and stay on Hwy 19 past the lighthouse to cross the singing bridge. Runners stay on Hwy 19 to Old Mamalahoa Hwy and turn right. Stay on Old Mamalahoa Hwy to the Tropical Botanical Gardens. Go past the gardens about .6 of a mile to the turnaround. Turn around and come back the same way. Passing through Bayfront Park turn left at Lihiwai St. Staying on the ocean side of the park and out to Banyan Drive and turn left onto Banyan Drive. Turn left at Banyan Way (passing the ice ponds) and then left onto Kalanianaole Ave. Turn left at Onekahakaha Rd. Go about 200 yards and turn around. Exit Onekahakaha Rd. and turn left back onto Kalanianaole Ave. At the end of the pavement just past Richardsons Beach Park turn around and stay on the left side of the street. Turn at first left Uwau St. and then turn right onto Nene St. Stay on Nene St. until it runs back into Kalanianaole Ave and turn left. Run Kalanianoale Ave to Silva St. and turn left. Stay on silva St. to Keaa St. and turn right. Cross Kalanianoale St. with police and turn left onto Banyan way. Turn left back onto Banyan Drive. Run past the Hotel to Lihiwai St. and turn left. Follow signs to the finish line behind the Hotel.

HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)

 

Runners start in the underground parking lot at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Exit the parking lot and turn right on Lihiwai St. and run around the park on the ocean side of the park. Stay on Lihiwai St. to Bayfront Hwy and turn right. Stay on the Hwy and run through Bayfront Park. Exit the park and stay on Hwy 19 past the lighthouse to cross the singing bridge. Runners stay on Hwy 19 to the turnaround just before hwy. mile marker 7. Turn around and come back the same way. Passing through Bayfront Park turn left at Lihiwai St. Staying on the ocean side of the park and out to Banyan Drive and turn left onto Banyan Drive. Turn left at Banyan Way (passing the ice ponds) and then left onto Kalanianaole Ave. Run to the 5K and Half marathon turnaround sign in front of Orchid Manor. Turn left onto Banyan way. Turn left back onto Banyan Drive. Run past the Hotel to Lihiwai St. and turn left. Follow signs to the finish line behind the Hotel.

10K (6.2 MILES)

The 10K starts at 7:00 am at same place as all the other races start, in the underground garage at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  The course will head out and go around the ocean side of Liliokalani Garden Park and then over the Suisan Bridge to the start of Bayfront Park.  The first turnaround is at the poles in the road at the start of the park.  Turn around and go back the same way you came.  After Liliokalani Park turn left and go down Baynan Drive to the Ice Ponds.  Turn left and go to Kalanianaole Ave.  Turn left and go to Onekakaha Beach Park and turn left into the park entrance.  At the aid station there is the turn around.  Go back the way you got there.  Follow the course back to the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and follow the signs and finish behind the Hotel.

5K (3.1 MILES)

The 5K starts at 6:15 am in the same place as all the other races start, in the underground garage at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  The course will head out and go around the ocean side of Liliokalani Garden Park and then over the Suisan Bridge to the start of Bayfront Park.  The first turnaround is at the poles in the road at the start of the park.  Turn around and go back the same way you came.  After Liliokalani Park turn left and go down Baynan Drive to the Ice ponds.  Turn left and go to Kalanianaole Ave.  Go to the Half Marathon/5K turnaround sign and turn around and go back the same way as you got there. Follow the signs and go behind the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to the finish line.

MARATHON RELAY RACE

The relay race starts at 6:05 am in the same place as all the other races start in the underground garage at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  When the race starts you leave the garage and turn left to go down Baynan Drive.  You will run around Ice Ponds and head out to the Richardson Beach Park, down Kalanianaole Ave with a few a few scenic detours that bring you closer to the the ocean waves breaking along the coast.  After the turn-around just past Richardson’s, you return back down Kalanianaole Ave, however without the detours—go straight back, do not do the detours you made on the way out.  Go straight back to the Ice Ponds and come back the same way you started.  Follow the signs to the finish line behind the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.  The first 2 runners will not go through the finish line—they will tag the next runner next to the finish line who will follow the same course.  The last runner will go through the finish line, because they hold the timing chip.  You may all go through the finish line together if you like.

FUN WALK (2 MILES)

Start time 7:05 am. The 2 Mile Fun Walk is not a timed event.  It's a fun walk, from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel down Banyan Drive past Reeds Bay Park. Then around the Ice Pond and down to the Half Marathon/ 5K/ 2 Mile turn-around sign in front of Orchid Manor, then back the same way.  Participants will get a goodie bag with a shirt and bib.

SWITCHING

Switching runners' numbers, wearing a number that doesn’t belong to you, and changing from one race to another are violations of Road Runners Club of America's rules, unless it is done at the expo the day before the race.  Sanctions will be brought against violators.  Also, NO BANDITS are permitted.  You must be registered and wearing a running number with a chip on the front of your clothing to be considered a legal participant in this race.

VIDEO TAPING

Throughout the course there may be photographers who take photos or videos that can or will be used by the Marathon for advertising purposes.  Sometimes these photos may be made available to the runners.

PORTABLE TOILETS

Some portable toilets will be available on the course.  Most of the parks you pass on the course have bathrooms as well, especially on the Kalanianaole Ave part of the course.

AID STATIONS

Aid stations will be provided approximately every 2 miles with water and Gatorade.  Runners are encouraged to drink at every aid station and stay well hydrated.  Please also bring your own power gels, electrolytes, or other easy-to-carry items, to help aid your performance.  Please leave your trash at or near the aid stations and not on the course.  Water, Gatorade, Coke and gels will be at some of the last aid stations.