Course Info

All races start and finish at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The entire course takes place near the coastline.  Beautiful scenery from beginning to end. Waterfalls, jungle forest, and waves breaking on the shoreline make this an experience that you’ll never forget.

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

The Marathon start is at 6am in the underground garage at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. The course will head out and go around the ocean side of Liliokalani Garden Park out to Suisan Bridge. Turn right and go through Bayfront Park. The course will head North up the Old Hamakua Coast of Hawaii taking scenic routes past the famous Honoli’i Surf spot, through beautiful canopy covered roads, alongside waterfalls, and over narrow bridges. You will turn around approx. 8.5 miles at the Botanical Garden Center. Turn around and head back along the same course. After passing through the Hilo Bayfront area, you will head over the Suisan Bridge, take a left turn, and then travel around Queen Liliokalani Gardens on the same side you came out on, then down Banyan Drive. After you pass the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, you will run around Ice Ponds and head out to The Richardson Beach park 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 will take the first left onto Uwalu St. and pass mile 21. Then it’s a right onto the shady and scenic Nene St. until you get back to Kalanianaole Ave., where you will head back towards Hilo until the short detour to Silva Street. Half way down Silva St. you will take a right onto Keaa St. A police officer will assist you across Kalanianaole Ave, then turn left to go back the way you first came to Ice Ponds. Then to Banyan Drive and make your way back. Follow the signs to the finish line behind the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)

The 6:15 am Start for the Half Marathon is 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 goes around Liliokalani Park and then out to Suisan Bridge.  Turn right and go through Bayfront Park.  The course will head North up the Old Hamakua Coast of Hawaii taking scenic routes past the famous Honoli’i Surf spot, through beautiful canopy covered roads, alongside waterfalls, and over narrow bridges. You will turn around at approx. 6.32 miles and retrace your steps back.  Take a left turn and then travel around Queen Liliokalani Gardens on the same side you came out on, to Banyan Drive.  After you pass the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, you will run around “Ice Ponds” and head out towards Richardson Beach Park.  At about 11.5 miles, you will turn around and retrace your steps back.  Follow the signs to the finish line behind the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

10K (6.2 MILES)

The 10K starts at 7:00am 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 6:30am 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 7:05am 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.

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.