Honolulu Marathon 2026: Course, Closures and Where to Watch

Every start group goes at 5:00 a.m., and the start line closes at 5:30 (Honolulu Marathon Association). Fireworks launch the field near Queen Street. There is no time limit, and the finish line stays open until the last person finishes (finish area). Last year, 23,131 people started the marathon and 8,903 the 10K (race report).

The course record is 2:07:59, set in 2019 (what to expect). By our math that pace reaches the finish near 7:08 a.m., about when the sun rises at 7:00.

The route is mostly flat, with short climbs on Diamond Head (course description). The Start to Park 10K is the first 10 km. The marathon has 16 aid stations, the first at about 2.5 miles (what to expect). The 2026 course map is a PDF.

The race controls traffic from downtown to Hawaiʻi Kai from 12:30 a.m. Lanes reopen as the last runners clear each stretch, and tow-away zones run from midnight to 5 p.m. (2025 advisory; Honolulu Police Department). The 2026 advisory was not posted when we checked on October 14, and the traffic advisory page still linked last year’s, so this table is 2025 and shows the pattern. Check the page again before you plan a drive.

Some TheBus routes are canceled or detoured. Call 808-848-5555 or check TheBus event detours. Near the start, parking is limited to street spaces four to six blocks out and is banned at Ala Moana Center (getting to the start). In Waikīkī, skip the car. Our Waikiki parking guide covers garages, and getting around Oahu covers buses and rideshare.

The race publishes no spectator guide, so these spots come from the course description, the course map and the closures. Roads on the route are closed to cars for hours, so choose a place you can walk or ride to and plan to stay put. To follow a runner, Track My Run shows approximately where each bib is. In 2025, Hawaiʻi News Now broadcast the race from 6 to 9 a.m. (broadcast notice); the 2026 broadcast has not been announced.

• The finish, Kapiʻolani Park. The line is near the Bandstand. Last year’s winner finished in 2:13, so the first runners come in around 7:15 a.m., after the racing wheelchairs. A big screen shows the finish about 40 minutes late, and the elite awards are at 1 p.m. (finish area). The Waikīkī Aquarium is closed all day (hours).
• Waikīkī, Kalākaua Avenue. Runners reach Kalākaua around mile 5. At last year’s winning pace that is about 5:25 a.m. by our math, in the dark, with the main field coming through for hours after.
• Diamond Head Road. The course uses it twice, between miles 6 and 9 and again from mile 24, so one stretch gives you two looks. It is a walk from Kapiʻolani Park.
• Hawaiʻi Kai. On the highway, the leaders heading back and the main field heading out pass each other. In 2025 the highway closed at 3:30 a.m. but the shopping center and Costco stayed reachable, so arrive early.
• The start, Ala Moana Beach Park. Fireworks go at 5 a.m. The start page lists entry roads for runners and no spectator area, so come on foot.

Packets are at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Avenue: Thursday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (expo page). The expo closes at 5 sharp on Saturday, there is no race-day pickup, and you collect your own bib with photo ID. A free Waikiki Trolley shuttle runs from the Duke Kahanamoku statue, DFS and Hilton Hawaiian Village on those days, and the center is walkable from most of Waikīkī. The clothing check is at the finish only, opening Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; there is none at the start.

The race says the start is generally in the mid-60s and the temperature climbs to the low 80s by 10 a.m. (what to expect). NOAA climate data for Honolulu airport gives an average high of 82 and low of 70 for December 8 to 18, 1991 to 2020 (ACIS). Last year’s race began in light rain and high humidity (race report).

On December 13, civil twilight begins at 6:36 a.m., the sun rises at 7:00 and sets at 5:51 p.m. (U.S. Naval Observatory), so the first hour and a half is dark. For the evening, see our Waikiki sunset guide.

There is no qualifying time and no entry limit, and entry is open to anyone over seven (how to enter; event page). Entries are not refundable or deferrable unless you bought booking protection (FAQ). A VIP charity place is a free entry in return for fundraising; it adds training support from the race’s partner realbuzz, a charity bib, the Team Kokua medal and a finisher zone for you and two guests (charity partners).

• Strollers: only on the 10K, from the back of the start.
• Not allowed: pets, bikes, skates, walking sticks, poles and canes.
• Allowed: earphones, and walking the whole way.

The race’s hotels page lists these four OUTRIGGER hotels in Waikīkī with a participant promo code, MARATHON, and gives the distances below. It is the only hotel list the race publishes. Its booking links carry a 2022 date and OUTRIGGER’s own event page still showed the 2025 race on October 14, so confirm the code covers December 2026 before you book. For other options, see our best Waikiki hotels.

From the race’s start, finish and FAQ pages.

• Walk or ride to the start. Free Honolulu Zoo shuttles run 2 to 4 a.m., with limited seats. Car drop-offs before 3:40 a.m. use Waimanu Street; after that, Pensacola and Kamaile streets or Piʻikoi Street and Kapiʻolani Boulevard.
• Plan Monday. See things to do in Waikiki and free things to do in Waikiki.