On December 14, 2025, before dawn broke over Waikiki, more than 23 000 runners gathered on Ala Moana Boulevard for the 53rd running of the JAL Honolulu Marathon. At 5 a.m., the boom of the starting cannon unleashed a tide of athletes who splashed through puddles and tropical humidity. With 23 131 starters in the main event and another 8 903 in the companion Start to Park 10K, the weekend attracted around 42 000 participants from across the globe. In this report we revisit the key moments of the men’s and women’s races, celebrate the winners of the parallel events and share practical tips for training in heat and humidity. We also explain how the SnapRace app can become your best training partner.
A damp start and record participation
The marathon starts at 5:00 a.m. local time when Honolulu is still dark. Forecasts hinted at torrential rain, and although the downpours held off during the race, a soaking warm‑up reminded runners that Hawaii’s tropical climate is no joke. According to organisers, 23 131 people tackled the full 26.2 miles while 8 903 opted for the Start to Park 10K, a shorter race that shares part of the course. Adding the Kalakaua Merrie Mile on Saturday, the event drew more than 42 000 athletes – a new high for Honolulu. Despite humidity hovering around 90 per cent, the atmosphere along the course was festive and electric.
Men’s race: a spectacular comeback
American pacemaker John Raneri set the tempo for the early miles, splitting 15:36 at 5 km and 31:22 at 10 km. He guided a tight pack comprising Eritrean training partners Tsegay Weldlibanos, Yemane Haileselassie (the defending champion), Amanuel Mesel and Tesfu Tewelde, plus Kenya’s Patrick Ketter Kiplagat. They reached halfway in 1:06:30, conserving energy for the climbs and the still‑air along Diamond Head.
At around mile 18, Haileselassie surged, ripping the field apart with sub‑5:00 miles. By 35 kilometres he had opened a 21‑second gap on Weldlibanos and seemed en route to a repeat victory. The Californian International Marathon champion refused to capitulate, however. He began clawing back time on the gradual uphill, caught his compatriot shortly after 40 km and moved ahead with roughly a quarter mile remaining. Weldlibanos tore through the finish chute in Kapiolani Park in 2:13:38. “At 40 km I still had legs, so I just pushed,” he said afterwards.
- Tsegay Weldlibanos – 2:13:38
- Yemane Haileselassie – 2:14:29
- Patrick Ketter Kiplagat – 2:14:56
- Tesfu Tewelde – 2:15:40
- Amanuel Mesel – 2:20:06
Weldlibanos’s victory is all the more remarkable considering he had placed ninth at the New York City Marathon just six weeks earlier. His coach, James McKirdy, praised his mental fortitude and his ability to pace himself. The Flagstaff‑based Eritrean supplements his racing income by driving for a ride‑share company. Haileselassie admitted that he “suffered more than expected in the closing miles” but was pleased to share an Eritrean one‑two finish.
Women’s race: Hauger‑Thackery triumphs after a scare
Five elite women dictated the early pace: Britain’s Calli Hauger‑Thackery, Kenya’s Cynthia Limo (two‑time champion), Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba, Ethiopia’s Sintayehu Tilahun and Kenya’s Vibian Chepkurui. They passed 5 km in 18:12, 10 km in 35:46 and halfway in 1:16:24, still following Raneri once he finished his duties with the men.
The race drama unfolded around the 30 km mark when Hauger‑Thackery’s bottle was placed on the wrong table at the elite fluid station. She doubled back briefly to grab it. “It was just a mishap, but in hindsight it helped me calm down,” she said. She rejoined the group quickly and, shortly after the two‑hour point, the contest narrowed to a duel between her and Limo. Around mile 23 she began to edge away, ultimately crossing the line in 2:30:43 before collapsing to her knees in a mix of relief and emotion. “My only aim today was to fall back in love with the marathon. To finish like this gives me confidence again,” she reflected.
- Calli Hauger‑Thackery – 2:30:43
- Cynthia Limo – 2:31:33
- Eunice Chumba – 2:35:37
- Vibian Chepkurui – 2:40:49
- Eri Suzuki – 2:50:59
For Hauger‑Thackery, an Olympian for Great Britain, this was her biggest road victory to date. In 2024 she ran 2:21:24 in Berlin and later dropped out of the Chicago Marathon; here she closed out the year with redemption. Limo, last year’s winner, finished just shy of her 2024 time. Chumba and Chepkurui rounded out the podium on a day when heat and humidity punished many contenders.
Festive atmosphere and parallel events
The Honolulu Marathon weekend is about more than 26.2 miles. The festivities kicked off on Saturday with the Kalakaua Merrie Mile, a one‑mile pursuit event in which the women start 31 seconds ahead of the men. American Sinclaire Johnson went hard from the gun and stopped the clock at 4:21.66, breaking the U.S. road‑mile record and recording the second‑fastest time ever run on the roads. World 1500 m medalist Nikki Hiltz took second in 4:24.50, while world indoor 800 m champion Josh Hoey was the first man home (3:54.77). The citizen race attracted 2 854 finishers; Hawaii native Ka’eo Kruse won in 4:17.21 and Britain’s Hollie Parker took the women’s division in 4:46.25.
On Sunday the Start to Park 10K ran concurrently with the marathon. Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat won in 29:31 and American Annika Reiss claimed the women’s title in 34:19. A pre‑race downpour soaked everyone, but the rain subsided during the race and athletes revelled in a fast, supportive course along Ala Moana Boulevard. Wheelchair competition produced course records: World Marathon Majors champion Susannah Scaroni sped to 1:48:37 on her first Hawaiian outing, and Japan’s Yukina Ota defended his title in 1:28:25.
All these events form part of a weekend that blends elite sport, mass participation and an atmosphere unique to Honolulu. Waikiki’s beaches filled with live music, Hawaiian food stalls and cheering crowds who motivated runners from start to finish in Kapiolani Park. It’s a prime example of how modern marathons create a full experience for athletes and spectators alike.
Tips for running in heat and humidity
Training for Honolulu means dealing with high temperatures and moisture levels. To minimise risk and maximise performance, consider the following evidence‑based recommendations. They’ll also serve you well at other warm‑weather marathons like Miami or Valencia.
- Run at dawn or dusk. The coolest hours are early morning. If you can’t run then, head out in the evening and steer clear of midday heat.
- Dress for the weather. Choose light‑coloured, breathable fabrics such as microfibres or cotton blends. Add a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
- Hydrate properly. Drink about 16 ounces of sports drink an hour before your run and 5 to 8 ounces every 20 minutes during exercise. Electrolyte‑rich drinks help absorb water and replace salts lost in sweat.
- Acclimate gradually. Spend one to two weeks adjusting to the heat. Start with short, easy outings and slowly increase distance and intensity.
- Seek shade and grass. Asphalt and concrete retain heat, so choose parks or tree‑lined routes whenever possible. You can also swap one weekly run for a pool‑running session.
- Adjust your pace. Every 5 °F above 60 °F (about 16 °C) can slow you by 20 to 30 seconds per mile. Don’t fight the thermometer—ease off and listen to your body.
- Avoid alcohol before training. A cold beer might sound tempting after a run, but alcohol contributes to dehydration. Prioritise water and recover with sodium‑rich foods.
By following these guidelines and paying attention to how your body reacts, you can train safely even in extreme climates. Remember that heat‑related problems (cramps, fainting or heat stroke) require immediate rest and, in severe cases, medical attention.
Future editions and how to enter
If this recap has you dreaming of Hawaiian roads, the organisers have already announced that registration for the 2026 event will open in the coming months. They advise booking flights and accommodation early, as Hawaii welcomes thousands of visitors during race weekend. The official website lists entry fees, travel packages and race day logistics in detail.
For runners looking for other challenges, the marathon calendar over the next year is full of opportunities at home and abroad. Check out our article on the 2025‑2026 marathon calendar for dates, course descriptions and trends to help you plan your season. Share your goals with your training group and start preparing your next adventure.
SnapRace: your ally for training and racing
Beyond telling the story, we want to help you improve as a runner. The SnapRace app integrates with your iPhone and Apple Watch to turn every outing into an exciting race. Its route library, turn‑by‑turn navigation and live leaderboards let you discover courses in your city or create your own challenges and compete with friends. The virtual coach designs personalised plans based on your goals and weekly availability, and full synchronisation with Apple Health keeps all your data in one place.
- Explore thousands of routes. Filter by distance or difficulty and run everything from a local 5K to an iconic marathon.
- Create your own races. Draw a course on the map or record it with your watch; invite other runners and fight for podium spots.
- Smart navigation. Get voice and haptic cues before each turn, and if you drift off course the app recalculates automatically.
- Virtual coach. Answer a few questions and receive a dynamic training plan that adapts to your weekly progress.
- Leaderboards and trophies. Every route has its own leaderboard; earn a spot in the top ranks and collect virtual medals.
SnapRace embodies the growing trend of social running and shared experiences. Download the app from the App Store and see why thousands of runners already use it for motivation and improvement. Are you ready to train for your next marathon with SnapRace?