{"id":864,"date":"2025-12-15T19:35:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T18:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snaprace.app\/blog\/?p=864"},"modified":"2025-12-15T19:35:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T18:35:51","slug":"2025-honolulu-marathon-race-recap-of-an-epic-pacific-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snaprace.app\/blog\/en\/2025-honolulu-marathon-race-recap-of-an-epic-pacific-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Honolulu Marathon: race recap of an epic Pacific challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/strong>. 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\u2019s and women\u2019s races, celebrate the winners of the parallel events and share practical tips for training in heat and humidity. We also explain how the SnapRace<\/a> app can become your best training partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A damp start and record participation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2011up reminded runners that Hawaii\u2019s 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<\/em> on Saturday, the event drew more than 42 000 athletes \u2013 a new high for Honolulu. Despite humidity hovering around 90 per cent, the atmosphere along the course was festive and electric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men\u2019s race: a spectacular comeback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

American pacemaker John Raneri<\/strong> 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<\/strong>, Yemane Haileselassie<\/strong> (the defending champion), Amanuel Mesel<\/strong> and Tesfu Tewelde<\/strong>, plus Kenya\u2019s Patrick Ketter Kiplagat<\/strong>. They reached halfway in 1:06:30, conserving energy for the climbs and the still\u2011air along Diamond Head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At around mile 18, Haileselassie surged, ripping the field apart with sub\u20115:00 miles. By 35 kilometres he had opened a 21\u2011second 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. \u201cAt 40 km I still had legs, so I just pushed,\u201d he said afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Tsegay Weldlibanos<\/strong> \u2013 2:13:38<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Yemane Haileselassie<\/strong> \u2013 2:14:29<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Patrick Ketter Kiplagat<\/strong> \u2013 2:14:56<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Tesfu Tewelde<\/strong> \u2013 2:15:40<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Amanuel Mesel<\/strong> \u2013 2:20:06<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Weldlibanos\u2019s 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\u2011based Eritrean supplements his racing income by driving for a ride\u2011share company. Haileselassie admitted that he \u201csuffered more than expected in the closing miles\u201d but was pleased to share an Eritrean one\u2011two finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Women\u2019s race: Hauger\u2011Thackery triumphs after a scare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Five elite women dictated the early pace: Britain\u2019s Calli Hauger\u2011Thackery<\/strong>, Kenya\u2019s Cynthia Limo<\/strong> (two\u2011time champion), Bahrain\u2019s Eunice Chumba<\/strong>, Ethiopia\u2019s Sintayehu Tilahun<\/strong> and Kenya\u2019s Vibian Chepkurui<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The race drama unfolded around the 30 km mark when Hauger\u2011Thackery\u2019s bottle was placed on the wrong table at the elite fluid station. She doubled back briefly to grab it. \u201cIt was just a mishap, but in hindsight it helped me calm down,\u201d she said. She rejoined the group quickly and, shortly after the two\u2011hour 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. \u201cMy only aim today was to fall back in love with the marathon. To finish like this gives me confidence again,\u201d she reflected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Calli Hauger\u2011Thackery<\/strong> \u2013 2:30:43<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Cynthia Limo<\/strong> \u2013 2:31:33<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Eunice Chumba<\/strong> \u2013 2:35:37<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Vibian Chepkurui<\/strong> \u2013 2:40:49<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Eri Suzuki<\/strong> \u2013 2:50:59<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      For Hauger\u2011Thackery, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Festive atmosphere and parallel events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The Honolulu Marathon weekend is about more than 26.2 miles. The festivities kicked off on Saturday with the Kalakaua Merrie Mile<\/strong>, a one\u2011mile pursuit event in which the women start 31 seconds ahead of the men. American Sinclaire Johnson<\/strong> went hard from the gun and stopped the clock at 4:21.66, breaking the U.S. road\u2011mile record and recording the second\u2011fastest time ever run on the roads. World 1500 m medalist Nikki Hiltz<\/strong> took second in 4:24.50, while world indoor 800 m champion Josh Hoey<\/strong> was the first man home (3:54.77). The citizen race attracted 2 854 finishers; Hawaii native Ka\u2019eo Kruse<\/strong> won in 4:17.21 and Britain\u2019s Hollie Parker<\/strong> took the women\u2019s division in 4:46.25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      On Sunday the Start to Park 10K<\/strong> ran concurrently with the marathon. Kenya\u2019s Edwin Kurgat<\/strong> won in 29:31 and American Annika Reiss<\/strong> claimed the women\u2019s title in 34:19. A pre\u2011race 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<\/strong> sped to 1:48:37 on her first Hawaiian outing, and Japan\u2019s Yukina Ota<\/strong> defended his title in 1:28:25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All these events form part of a weekend that blends elite sport, mass participation and an atmosphere unique to Honolulu. Waikiki\u2019s beaches filled with live music, Hawaiian food stalls and cheering crowds who motivated runners from start to finish in Kapiolani Park. It\u2019s a prime example of how modern marathons create a full experience for athletes and spectators alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Tips for running in heat and humidity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Training for Honolulu means dealing with high temperatures and moisture levels. To minimise risk and maximise performance, consider the following evidence\u2011based recommendations. They\u2019ll also serve you well at other warm\u2011weather marathons like Miami or Valencia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n