Honolulu Marathon 2026: Date, Course, Registration, Spectator Spots

The **Honolulu Marathon** is the second-largest marathon in the U.S. by finisher count (behind only NYC), and the only marathon in the world where you start in the dark, watch the sun rise over Diamond Head, and finish next to a 100-foot banyan tree. ## The basics - **Date:** Sunday, December 14, 2026 - **Start time:** 5:00 AM (fireworks → gun) - **Distance:** 26.2 miles, IAU-certified - **Field size:** ~24,000 runners - **Field cap:** None — no qualifying time required - **Cost:** ~$165 early-bird, ~$300 race week ## The course (in 3 sentences) Start at **Ala Moana Beach Park**. Head east along Kalākaua Ave through Waikīkī, around Diamond Head, out to Hawaiʻi Kai (the turnaround), then back the same way. Finish in **Kapiʻolani Park**. ## How to register [honolulumarathon.org](https://www.honolulumarathon.org) — registration opens June 1 each year. About 50% of finishers are international (predominantly Japan). Lock in early September for the cheapest entry. ## Spectator-best spots 1. **Ala Moana start** (4:30 AM) — fireworks + the wave of 24,000 runners taking off 2. **Diamond Head Lighthouse Lookout** (mile 8) — runners coming down the back side 3. **Hawaiʻi Kai turnaround** (mile 13) — see the lead pack first, then your runner 4. **Kāhala Ave** (mile 20) — locals set up cheer stations 5. **Kapiʻolani Park finish** — banyan tree, malasadas, finisher leis ## Related - [Things to do in Waikīkī →](/neighborhood/waikiki) - [Hawaii events in December →](/island/oahu)