Let me begin by saying, I wouldn’t have modified a factor about our total Hawaii journey…however the fact is I’d have gone in with my eyes somewhat extra wide-open when it comes to what to anticipate from the Honolulu Marathon.
We had a tremendous time, however a part of a marathon is being mentally ready and in order that’s why I’m sharing what I want we’d have identified.
Every part about this race was distinctive; I feel that’s a good phrase to make use of.
This was the forty second operating of the Honolulu Marathon which is typically billed as one of many high 10 marathons on the earth…thus my expectations of group and finisher swag was fairly excessive.
Let’s undergo the not so nice, the completely distinctive and the nice factors of this race.
Honolulu Marathon Overview
Hear I had a wonderful day on the race. However I want we’d had some data stepping into to it. So I’m going to offer it you you straight from our expertise.
Professional – The Expo
The expo was by far and away probably the most attention-grabbing that I’ve ever seen!! Japanese signage and corporations abounded, creating a very distinctive ambiance…however simply once you thought you’d seen all of it, you encountered an space that felt extra like a flea market with quilts and purses. Very cool.
Professional – The Costumes
The race was additionally stuffed with tons of distinctive costumes, actually I recall Jodi asking me at one level “Is there one thing I’m lacking, why are all these guys dressed like girls?!”
In fact it wasn’t simply the runners, it was most of the cheer stations too!
Con: No corrals for 30,000 runners
Having heard horror tales the night time earlier than, Jodi and I lined up within the 10 ft devoted to 4 hour marathoners and had been removed from being the one’s who had been being handed.
As a substitute, we spent not less than 3 miles dodging walkers after which squished in to 1 lane roads which prompted quite a few bottlenecks slowing everybody down. Waves or corrals would simply repair this.
Con: No pacers
We additionally observed later that even with the tiny area allotted initially for various instances, there weren’t really any pacers. I didn’t understand how regularly throughout a race I search for these to have an concept of the place I’m or once we had been in search of fellow 26 Sturdy runners on the out and again course.
Con – Cotton finisher t-shirt
Seems they had been very late getting an attire sponsor and I’m guessing these shirts had been all that Beneath Armour had sufficient in inventory to provide. Which makes me marvel, why would such an incredible race have points getting any sponsor??
I haven’t gotten a cotton finisher shirt for something over a 5K in ages.
Con – No data to assist coordinate assembly household
After the race it’s good to have a pre-planned assembly level to seek out your loved ones and pals so that you don’t have to fret about trying to find them. Really the map of the finisher space was terrible and didn’t have any form of indicators to essentially assist facilitate that pre-planned assembly level.
Con -Publish race meals
A cup of water, no bottles, a banana, a mini bagel and an enormous ol’ donut gap {malasada}. Yup that’s it. I spent the 1.5 mile stroll again to the resort saying “man I’m thirsty” and significantly I used to be!
Con – Water cease confusion
For a race of this dimension, I used to be confused to seek out water stops on just one aspect of the street.
The truth is, one other racer requested me about this put up race “is that standard for a race this dimension??” Uh no, the flock of individuals criss crossing the street undoubtedly would have slowed down most runners. BUT they had been all cheerful and out within the rain for hours, so I absolutely admire them!
Con – No elevation map
Which might have dispelled their description of just one hill. It’s completely rolling.
Professional – Simple Begin and End
We had been shut sufficient to stroll to each the beginning and from the end, which is a significant win to me. If I don’t should stand up additional early for a shuttle and might rapidly get again to my resort after, life is sweet.
Large Professional – The Course
Actually I feel what makes this race a High 10 should be the views. There are different good issues, however different races simply can’t manufacture a view of the mountains and ocean.
Fortunately it wasn’t my first marathon, so I used to be capable of spend loads of time trying up on the mountains, soaking within the rainbows and pointing them out to Jodi when she was centered on her ft as all of us do when it will get arduous.
- The views
- Tons after all photogs
- Begin line fireworks
- The views (price mentioning twice)
- Tons of water stations
- Good spectators– many providing slices of fruit and nice indicators! You by no means know what you’ll get by means of neighborhoods, however right here they had been absolutely on board and able to cheer.
- ROTC holding a dividing rope all the best way up the largest hill and cheering like loopy each few ft.
- Nice fellow runners – I talked to numerous individuals through the race and after. Everybody was so variety and even with grumbles of the beginning glad as we had been to be there.
- TONS of help crew – each water station was manned by a slew of glad cheering individuals. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen extra volunteers on a course.
- 2 minute stroll from the end line to the seashore…ahhhh ocean water remedy.
Honolulu Marathon Coaching Suggestions
As famous, I wasn’t the skilled coach I’m now, nor was there as a lot data on-line about this race…so if I’d identified then…
- You’ll be coaching by means of chilly months, which goes to make the warmth/humidity really feel tougher
- Strive getting in some sauna periods or taking extra exercises to the treadmill
- Get in some rolling hills throughout your lengthy runs
- Line up close to the entrance to keep away from getting caught when you’re going for a PR form of race
- ENJOY! I imply you’re in paradise.
- Keep in mind it’s an extended flight, so put on compression socks going and coming to forestall blood clots.
- Save your sightseeing for put up race.
- Plan forward on your pre-race dinner and morning of breakfast. You’ll wish to know what’s obtainable.
Our Honolulu Marathon Day
Past the management of the race coordinators was our race day climate. It maintained a lightweight mist from begin to end which I didn’t complain about one tiny bit as a result of it saved Jodi from getting too sizzling and ensured cloud cowl the entire race.
Sadly, we had a number of factors of downpours mixed with 30 mile an hour wind gusts which had been somewhat bit much less nice, principally from rain pelting the face to that second once you step in a puddle and understand your total foot is now squishy.
But with out that rain, I’d by no means have captured Jodi operating below a rainbow!!!
All of that being stated, would I like to recommend this race?
Mmmm possibly…when you needed a Hawaiian trip with a race then sure go have some enjoyable. If you’re in search of any form of PR or perhaps a first marathon, no this isn’t the race I’d choose.
Really what an incredible journey to spend this weekend operating with 8 different groups from the Saucony 26 Sturdy program. It was such enjoyable to listen to everybody speak about their coaching, see them on the course after which share within the put up marathon shuffle as all of us started heading residence.
I’m unsure if this Honlulu marathon evaluation will sway you a technique or one other, however I hope it helped!
What’s probably the most distinctive race expertise you’ve had?
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