Stevie Ray's Honolulu Marathon report (Read 756 times)

Ah yes, the Ala Moana, I've stayed there many times. I hope they fixed the elevators. In my not-so-vast experience the walkers at that race are the absolute worst for lining up at the front and obstructing. Nice job SRL!

My favorite aunt lives there and has told me to come on out for the marathon...but meh, SR, after reading your report it doesn't look that fun. Would be cool to run with the Japanese, though. Hope you didn't gain any wt from eating all those cookies.

So... what's your favorite Hawaiian marathon? I haven't run there yet, and I'm overdue for a Hawaiian vacation. I hope your dachshund is better!

Hi Bob. My personal fav is Kona (June), but that's mostly because it is my 'home' course and it is the same basic course they use for ironman. I don't usually point mainlanders at it for their first, though, because it is 1) very low key and 2) HOT, even by Hawai'i standards. I point people at the Maui Marathon (Sept). Very nice race with great ocean sights in the second half. Just challenging enough to make it interesting, but not Holy Crap difficult. Well supported too. Maui will have two new marathons in 2009, both this month. The Maui Paradise Marathon on 1/11 is one that we don't know much about. tp! does though; he certified it . The other one is on 1/25. It's owned by the guy who owns the Tahoe races. He also does a 15k (used to be a half marathon) on Maui the week before the new marathon. This race has been around for a few years and has been ok. There's also a new marathon on Kaua'i on labor day weekend this year. Don't know much about this one either. For completeness... there's a marathon in Hilo in mid-March. Low key... less challenging course than the others, usually cooler (though not cool) weather in Hilo. For those from the mainland who want to BQ, this is where I point them. But it isn't a terribly scenic race after M8, so I don't point everyone there. There's also the Kilauea Trail Marathon in July. Fun experience because it is in Volcanoes National Park and it is truly truly hard. Alas, Kilauea is quite active and last year they had to completely change the course. No idea what this year will be like. There are a ton of ultras to consider as well . As for baby Tobias, it'll be a long road, but he's certainly better than he was. Thanks!

Ah... nevermind... average low for 3/22 in Hilo: 65°. That would rule it out as a fast race for me. Even the record low -- 59 -- wouldn't really cut it.

I got a kick out of all the runners at HM who were wearing trashbags and sweatshirts to protect them from the brutally cold conditions before the start. Those were the newbies, the slow ones, who lined up at the front.