Course Info
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. Start and finish for all races is located at the Hilo Bay Front “Canoe Area.” This is less than a 1 mile walk from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located on Banyan drive. If you are staying at one of the Hotels on Banyan Drive, you may walk along the ocean road to the start which is at 6:00 am for the Marathon.
Runners who are not staying at the hotels are asked to drive to Hilo’s Bay Front and park in the lot next to Pauahi St.
AID STATIONS
Aid stations will be provided approximately every 2 miles with water and Gatorade at all of aid stations. Runners are encouraged to drink at every aid station and stay well hydrated. Also, bring your own power gels, electrolytes, or other easy to carry items to help aid in their performance. Please leave your trash at or near the aid stations and not on the course.
MARATHON
6:00 AM Start is near the Hilo “Bay Front Area” and Canoe Paddling section. It is less than a mile walk from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel or you may park nearby on the grass. 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 approximately 7.5 miles at the Botanical Garden Center 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, through 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., and then left at the Mazda dealership back to “Ice Ponds”. At this point, a police officer will be stopping traffic for you to cross back through the way you came onto Banyan Drive and make your way back to the finish where you started.
13.1-MILE HALF MARATHON RUN
6:15 AM Start is near the Hilo “Bay Front Area” and Canoe Paddling section. It is less than a mile walk from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel or you may park nearby on the grass. The half marathon course does a short loop (approx 0.6 miles) out and back before heading North. It then goes 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. 5.32 miles and retrace your steps back to the start line. As you pass the start/finish line at 10 miles, you will head over the “Suisan Bridge”, take a left turn, and then travel around Queen Liliokalani Gardens, through Banyan Drive. After you pass the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, you will run around “Ice Ponds” and head out towards Richardson’s Beach Park. At 11.55 miles, you will turn around and retrace your steps back to the finish line.
3.1-MILE RUN (5K)
6:30 AM Start is near the Hilo “Bay Front Area” and Canoe Paddling section. It is less than a mile walk from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel or you may park nearby on the grass. This course heads out over the Suisan Bridge, takes a left turn, and then travels around Queen Liliokalani Gardens, through Banyan Drive. After you pass the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, you will run around “Ice Ponds” and head out towards Richardson’s Beach Park. At 1.55 miles, you will turn around and retrace your steps back to the finish line.
SWITCHING…
runners numbers, wearing a number that doesn’t belong to you, and changing from one race to another are violations of Road Runner Clubs of America rules and sanctions will be brought against violators. Also, NO BANDITS are permitted. You must be registered and wearing a running number on the front of your clothing to be considered a legal participant in this race.
VIDEO TAPING
Through out the course there will be a video photographer that will be taping portions of the race to show at a later date on cable television.
PORTABLE TOILETS
In addition to the restrooms at the start of the marathon, there will be 4 portable toilets along the course.
COURSE MAP
