The JAL Honolulu Marathon is a world-renowned event celebrated for its scenic course and the inclusive 'Aloha Spirit' that welcomes runners of all abilities. As one of the largest marathons in the United States, it uniquely features no time limit and no qualification requirements, making it exceptionally accessible.

The point-to-point course begins on Ala Moana Boulevard, treating participants to a journey through downtown Honolulu, the vibrant streets of Waikiki, and along the stunning Pacific coastline before finishing in beautiful Kapiʻolani Park.

Race day in December brings warm and humid conditions that require careful planning. Historical data shows temperatures typically start around 23°C (73°F) at the 5:00 AM gun time, climbing to 25°C (77°F) or higher by mid-morning. The consistently high humidity is a critical factor that should shape your hydration and pacing strategy from the start.

Coastal winds along exposed highway sections can work either for or against you, depending on their direction that day.

The 42.16-kilometer course is predominantly flat, with over 80% featuring grades of less than 1%. The race's main elevation challenges come from two loops around the iconic Diamond Head crater.

After a flat opening through the pre-dawn darkness of downtown and Waikiki, runners face a long, exposed out-and-back section on the Kalanianaʻole Highway. This middle portion tests both physical endurance and mental fortitude as the sun rises higher. The course concludes with a final pass of Diamond Head and a flat, rewarding stretch to the finish line.

• Event Date: 2025-12-14
• Event Type: Road Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 42.16 km
• Course Type: Point to Point
• TrailScore: 46.37
• Total Ascent: 124.36 m
• Total Descent: 129.01 m
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 12, 1.15 km at an average grade of 2.53%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 35.2, 1.15 km at an average grade of -0.81%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 38.17, 0.49 km at an average grade of 2.86%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 15.44, 0.66 km at an average grade of -3.15%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 4 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 4 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 80.9%
  • Minor Incline: 7.8%
  • Minor Decline: 6.6%
  • Moderate Incline: 2.3%
  • Moderate Decline: 1.9%
  • Challenging Decline: 0.4%

The race begins at 5:00 AM under a spectacular fireworks display on Ala Moana Boulevard. You'll run in darkness for the first 90-120 minutes before civil twilight begins around 6:36 AM, with sunrise following at 7:00 AM.

This opening section is almost entirely flat, taking you west before looping back through downtown Honolulu's historic and commercial districts. Along the way, you'll pass notable landmarks including the King Kamehameha Statue as you make your way toward the coast.

The course then returns to Ala Moana Boulevard and continues onto Kalākaua Avenue, Waikiki's main thoroughfare. The atmosphere here is typically electric, with crowds lining the streets cheering runners on, though the large field of participants often creates congestion during these early kilometers.

This section concludes as you leave the vibrant Waikiki strip behind and approach the base of Diamond Head, passing the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiʻolani Park along the way.

• Manage the Dark Start: The first 90+ minutes are run before sunrise. Stay focused on your footing and the runners around you to avoid any missteps.
• Control Early Pacing: The flat terrain, cool pre-dawn air, and race-day adrenaline make it tempting to start too fast. Adhere to your race plan and conserve energy for the climbs and warmer temperatures ahead.

• None.

• None.

• Nuuanu Ave / King Kamehameha Statue (Km 4)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Ala Moana Blvd (Kaka‘ako / Pi‘ikoi–Ward area) (Km 6.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Ala Moana Beach Park / Atkinson Dr (near Convention Ctr) (Km 9)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kalakaua Ave & Paki Ave – Kapiolani Park / Honolulu Zoo (Km 11.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• King Kamehameha Statue (~Km 3.62) (Spectator Zone): A famous bronze statue of Kamehameha I, the monarch who first established the unified Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
• Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue (~Km 9.22) (Spectator Zone): An iconic statue honoring the legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic swimming champion, located on Waikiki Beach.
• Honolulu Zoo (~Km 9.87) (Spectator Zone): The course passes by the entrance to the Honolulu Zoo as it enters Kapiʻolani Park.

This section presents the first significant elevation challenge of the marathon. As you leave Kapiʻolani Park, the course begins a sustained climb up Diamond Head Road right at kilometer 12. While not excessively steep, this persistent effort will test your legs early in the race.

The reward for your work comes in the form of panoramic ocean views as you round the crater. Following the crest, you'll navigate a series of descents, including a short but notably steep drop just after kilometer 15.

This section demands thoughtful pacing—pushing too hard on the climb can prove costly later, while aggressive descending may overtax your quads. The segment concludes as you descend into the Kahala neighborhood and prepare to head east on the main highway.

• Manage the First Climb: The ascent up Diamond Head Road is the first real test of strength. Maintain a steady, controlled effort to conserve energy for the long, flat sections ahead.
• Protect Your Quads on the Descents: The downhills off Diamond Head can be jarring. Focus on a quick, light turnover to minimize impact and save your quadriceps for the later stages of the race.

• Climb #1: Km 12 to Km 12.82, 0.81 km, avg grade 3.42%, total gain 27.77 m
• Climb #2: Km 14.62 to Km 14.79, 0.16 km, avg grade 3.27%, total gain 5.33 m

• Descent #1: Km 13.31 to Km 13.81, 0.49 km, avg grade -2.27%, total drop 11.23 m
• Descent #2: Km 14.95 to Km 15.12, 0.17 km, avg grade -5.7%, total drop 9.51 m
• Descent #3: Km 15.44 to Km 15.94, 0.5 km, avg grade -3.88%, total drop 19.25 m

• Diamond Head Rd – Kapiolani Community College (Km 14)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade, Honey Stinger Gel
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kahala – Kilauea Ave / Kahala Mall area (Km 16.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• Diamond Head Lighthouse (~Km 12.65): A historic lighthouse on the slopes of Diamond Head, offering scenic views of the coastline.
• Diamond Head Road Vista Point (~Km 13.31) (Spectator Zone): A popular lookout providing sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the east Honolulu shoreline.

This is the marathon's crucible—a long, flat, and exposed out-and-back on the Kalanianaʻole Highway that will test your resolve. As you run east toward the turnaround in Hawaii Kai near kilometer 26, the sun will be high overhead, and the heat and humidity will become your constant companions. This stretch offers little shade and often channels strong coastal winds that can work against you.

The ocean views remain stunning throughout, but the unchanging highway can become a mental challenge as the kilometers tick by. Many runners find themselves digging deep here, drawing on their training and determination to push through the monotony.

The turnaround itself brings welcome psychological relief—you're heading home now, with each step carrying you closer to Honolulu and the finish line. This is where smart racing pays off: stay disciplined with your nutrition and hydration strategy, resist the urge to surge, and maintain the consistent pacing that will carry you through to a strong finish.

Aid stations appear roughly every 2.5 to 3 kilometers along this stretch, offering regular opportunities to cool down with water and ice, refuel with sports drinks and gels, and reset mentally for the next segment.

• Combat Heat and Sun Exposure: With minimal shade, this section feels significantly hotter as the morning progresses. Be prepared with sun protection and make diligent use of aid stations to hydrate and cool down.
• Maintain Mental Fortitude: The long, straight highway requires sustained mental focus. Break the section into smaller, manageable segments, focusing on running from one aid station to the next.
• Navigate the Wind: Depending on the day, you may face a headwind in one direction and a tailwind in the other. Adjust your effort accordingly and be prepared to work harder into the wind.

• None.

• None.

• Wailupe Beach Park (Km 19.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kawaikui Beach Park (Km 21.7)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Maunalua Bay Beach Park (Km 24.1)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Hawaii Kai Dr & Keahole St – Hawaii Kai Towne Center (Km 28)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade, Honey Stinger Gel
  • Toilet: Yes
• Maunalua Bay Beach Park (Return) (Km 31.7)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kawaikui Beach Park (Return) (Km 34.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• None.

After leaving the highway, the course turns through the residential streets of Kahala before presenting the final major challenge: a second climb along the back side of Diamond Head. While shorter and less imposing than the first ascent, this hill arrives when your legs are most fatigued, demanding both focus and resilience to overcome.

Cresting this final hill delivers a major psychological victory—the finish line is now within reach. The course rewards your effort with a welcome descent, allowing you to regain momentum for the final push.

The last three kilometers offer a flat, energizing run along Kalākaua Avenue, past the Waikiki Aquarium, and into the finish chute at Kapiʻolani Park. The finish line sits just steps from the beach, where celebration and the famed Hawaiian hospitality await every runner who completes this remarkable journey.

• Conquer the Late-Race Climb: The final climb around Diamond Head occurs when glycogen stores are low and fatigue is high. Shorten your stride, increase your cadence, and focus on efficient movement to power over the top.
• Finish with Form: With the final climbs behind you, the last kilometers are flat. Focus on maintaining good running form despite fatigue to capitalize on the terrain and finish strong.

• Climb #3: Km 38.33 to Km 38.66, 0.33 km, avg grade 3.66%, total gain 11.96 m
• Climb #4: Km 39.31 to Km 39.64, 0.33 km, avg grade 2.84%, total gain 9.33 m

• Descent #4: Km 40.3 to Km 40.79, 0.49 km, avg grade -4.95%, total drop 24.14 m

• Wailupe Beach Park (Km 36.9)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kahala Ave & Kealaolu Ave (Waialae Country Club) (Km 37)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Diamond Head Lighthouse (Km 40.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kalakaua Ave & Paki Ave – Kapiolani Park (Km 41.8)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• Diamond Head Lighthouse (~Km 40.3): The course passes the historic lighthouse for a second time as you complete the final loop around Diamond Head.
• Waikiki Aquarium (~Km 42.1) (Spectator Zone): Located on the shoreline of Kapiʻolani Park, passing the aquarium signals that the finish line is imminent.
• Kapiʻolani Park Finish Line (~Km 42.16) (Spectator Zone): The finish line is located in this large, historic public park, adjacent to Waikiki beach.