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Honolulu Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Honolulu Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 202 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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M. M. from Miami, Florida
(3/31/2007)
 "Dont expect a PR" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This marathon was very challenging for me. Example, in the last 4 marathons, I have done an average of 3:41 and in this marathon I did 4:20. A lot of humidity and hills, people. I love Japanese runners, but because of the half marathon, there are too many people. I didn't like the shirt that you receive when you finish the race. Very ugly compared to other marathons, and it's not for running, as it's a normal t-shirt. I also didnt like the sports drink they give; it was terrible. At the end of the race I was dizzy and tired, and the organizers, instead of helping me to a medical tent, told me to keep moving. That bothered me a lot, but I was so tired that I couldn't complain. Difficult marathon, but I did it for my 50 states. Beautiful city; go with your loved one. | |
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T. W. from California
(2/12/2007)
 "Line up correctly... guidance needed" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 My only negative input is that there is NO control over the line-up. I over-estimated my time to line up in order not to slow anyone down.... Not in 2007, though; I will be lining up incorrectly in order to keep the pace going. I zig-zagged the course because so many people would STOP right in front of you to either rub their legs, adjust a shoe, take pictures, or whatever the reason. I think the organization needs more direction spoken in Japanese, since 67% of the runners/walkers are Japanese. The aid stations were well managed and offered plenty of help. And there were plenty of stations, too. No complaints about the AminoValue - easy to digest (I prefer it over Gatorade, actually). Even the apples and cookies were not an issue at the finish line. The expo was very well organized. The weather was perfect - no rain! Yes there was some heat and humidity, but nothing like in the summer months in Hawaii. The fans along the route were great! Overall, Honolulu did a great job and a huge "mahalo" to all of the volunteers! | |
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V. B. from Chicago
(1/13/2007)
 "WALKERS IN THE BACK. PLEASE!!!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 It's hot and humid so be ready to sweat. Which I don't mind at all. I ran this race in 2001 and came back in 2006. Why? I lined up honestly. In 2001 I spent most of my time running around charity runners and walkers talking, taking pictures, and being in the way. If you don't run, PLEASE line up in the BACK. This past year I was up front with the Kenyans and I never slowed down the entire 26.2. I'm sure now I was in the way. :) As far as the finish: Please save the cookies and apples for Halloween. At least have sushi or maybe some fruit. :) | |
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Susan James from Bakersfield, California
(1/7/2007)
 "Fantastic" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Done it six times. If you do not mind the humidity, getting up at 3:00 a.m. or so, and the hills, then it is fun and challenging. The goodies at the end could be better; they only have apples and cookies. I do love the medals and the finisher shirts. The drink of choice should include Gatorade, so the US runners can train on it. The aid stations are slow due to the number of runners. The stations need to be longer. There are a good number of porta-potties at the start and the fireworks are great. Overall it is a great international marathon. | |
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Joe Brooks from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
(1/3/2007)
 "Wonderful marathon for all skill levels" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I can only echo many comments already voiced. My wife and I participated as part of a Joints in Motion team from Canada (our 3rd JIM marathon). We were well prepared for the distance, temperature, etc., but not for the number of people that obviously chose not to adhere to organizers efforts to maintain order. Yes, people do stop in front of you to take pictures. Yes, the line-ups at the portable toilets were long. I was not a fan of the "victory walk" from the finish line to the medal tent. After 42 kilometers, I found the uneven ground of the park difficult to negotiate. Apples and cookies? Well ok, they did have to feed 30K people, but less impressive events do it better. There were not as many cheer teams, bands, etc. as I was expecting, but many course volunteers and homeowners made up for it. I got the best chocolate bar I've ever had from a little girl at about 30k. The medal could be more colorful and getting it handed to me in a little plastic bag was anti-climactic. The Portugal Marathon was not a very nice run but when you crossed, there was someone ready to hang a very nice, colorful medal around your neck. These minor things were easily offset by by those we met, the location, and the really well stocked water stops and aid stations. We were seven hours out there, my wife and I. We met a retired fellow from Japan and talked with him before the start and all kinds of people from the different fundraising teams of Canada and US. We cheered with all of them. My wife, a nurse, stopped to help a girl from Team Lymphoma who was having a difficult moment. We met Debbie from New Jersey and had a great chat as we ended the race together. To the people at McDonald's who let us use their staff washroom because we really really had to go, I can't say enough good things. The young volunteers along the course going up by Diamond Head were friendly and cheered all onward and upward. When the lead runners went by, a great cheer went up from all. It's a total event. There are some opportunities to improve but overall I have no regrets even though my time was off by a fair margin. If you are thinking of doing a marathon, fast or slow, big or small, young or old, mobility challenged, sighted or not... if you train for it, you can do this marathon! Bravo to Honolulu, the organizers and all the people O'ahu who let us take over their streets and communities for a day. If you have even the smallest chance of doing this marathon, you just have to go for it. I think the slogan for JIM in Canada fits here: "Train, Travel and Triumph!" Thanks, Honolulu. | |
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K. K. from Alameda, CA
(1/2/2007)
"too crowded" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I never really got to relax and run without having to watch out for runners stopping in front of me. The mile markers were poorly placed. I wear a watch, so I don't care so much about having the markers timed, but I would like to SEE the markers! I had no idea what mile I was at for the last few miles. Very tough, mentally, to get through. The scenery was beautiful, which also meant you had to watch out for folks stopping for photos. Plenty of water stops, but it was a drag to have a sports drink not even available in the US. Even at the expo, they couldn't give me the percentage of potassium in their own product. Weak. I liked the shirt and medal. Sure the Nike stuff was great, but pricey... and yes, I had to buy something. I loved the photo booth courtesy of Nike. | |
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C. K. from Nevada
(12/23/2006)
"This was my first marathon and I enjoyed it" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The fireworks at the start are really great. Then we ran by some Christmas lights at museums and to Waikiki. Volunteers passing out water and drink were great. Need more signs in English and more teams to support U.S. runners. Mile posts were fine. Need more restrooms so lines are not so long; we were at 1 rest spot for 10 minutes! | |
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S. L. from Colorado
(12/21/2006)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Honolulu Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The marathon was great. People were enthusiastic and helpful. Will do it again! | |
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Kevin Miguel from Maui, Hawaii
(12/19/2006)
 "Bigger, Badder, Awesome!" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Honolulu Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My third year running the HM and I love it more each time! Expo is pretty tame, but nice setup. Nike's marathon shirts, hats, towels, bags, etc... fantastic! I'm a shopaholic and NOTHING beats crossing the finish line and going into the Nike tent to buy finisher shirts and hats. If you don't finish, you don't get to buy the items - that's a great incentive while running! Yes, you get a cheap cotton finisher shirt free, but the Nike finisher items were truly spectacular this year - particularly a lightweight technical thermal jacket with stitched words and graphics. True, the HM is a huge moshpit of elite and rookie runners. It's a traffic jam. You have the heat and humidity. The Japanese signs. Over 60% of the runners are foreign. Dry cookies at the finish line. It's like a hill. Just overcome it. You finish the HM, and other marathons are a cakewalk. Did I mention the countless ambulances going back and forth? I lost count after the first 10. Someone's heart stopped at the finish line this year. Luckily they revived him! So please, don't underestimate the climate if you're not used to it. Take it easy and enjoy the run. :) The best part of the HM for me are the keepsakes. The ChampionChip (I use it as a wristband during the year), the large Nike towel, and the Nike course map (the map is free at their checkouts). These items keep me thinking about the next year's marathon day in and day out. Most marathons, you typically have just a shirt that you wear year round and it's forgettable. The Nike HM merchandise is very stylish and draws attention. I wish more marathons had similar goodies! My one gripe? How about selling beer at the finish line? I mean it's already paradise - beer would make it PERFECT! One more bonus: If you live in Hawaii and finish the HM, you pay only $15.00 to run the next year. | |
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Jean Toillion from Eagle Grove, Iowa USA
(12/17/2006)
"A beautiful run in paradise!" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first Honolulu Marathon. It was easier than I had expected. I'm used to running marathons in cooler weather, but with all the stations along the way that held out cold sponges - which was really a life-saver - plus the early 5 a.m. start time. The scenery was awesome. I would say that for the $90 registration fee, I expected more to eat at the finish other than the apples and cookies. Also, with the number of runners, it was pretty congested at times, but hey, we're in Hawaii... so who cares?!?! I had a great time! Mahalo! - Jean from IOWA |
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