Interesting Facts about the Honolulu Marathon
Honolulu Marathon not only boasts of being one of the
biggest destination marathon in the world, it also
boasts of many other things. In fact, runners are
attracted to the marathon not only to race, but also for
fun. Here are some of the unique and interesting things
about the Honolulu Marathon.
Festival atmosphere
Lying at the heart of the Honolulu Marathon may be the
theme, “running for fitness, wellness, and long life,”
but marathon is not all about that. The Honolulu
Marathon is also about fun and festivity. As such, the
marathon has been set up to be a week of fun instead of
just a one-day event.
Before the race day, there’s the 4-day Honolulu Marathon
Sports Expo, during which there’s a lot of autograph
signing by celebrities and raffles where prizes include
trips to Las Vegas. On the Friday of the marathon week,
a luau/concert is held. The Friday event includes an
eat-all-you-can dinner, Hawaiian music, and dance show.
The actual race is set off by display of fireworks, and
each racer who finishes the line receives a lei made of
puka shells.
Japanese runners
No other marathon in the world draws as much runners
from Japan as much as the Honolulu Marathon does. In
fact, participants from Japan comprise an annual average
of 60% of the total competitors in the race. Because of
the marathon’s popularity with the Japanese, a permanent
Honolulu Marathon Association office can now be found in
Japan.
Satellite races
Owing also to the popularity of the Honolulu Marathon
with the US military personnel based in Hawaii,
satellite races in the Middle East have also been set up
for Hawaiian military personnel deployed in Baghdad,
Iran and Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. The satellite races
are held simultaneously with the marathon in Honolulu,
Hawaii. All who finish the race also get shirts. Instead
of leis, however, finishers receive medals.
A trip down historical Honolulu
The route of the Honolulu Marathon not only traces the
Pacific coastline, it also gives runners a tour of
famous historical landmarks including the Iolani Palace,
the Duke Kahanamoku statue, and even the Diamond Head.
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