Big Island International Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Sunday, March 17, 2024 • Hilo, HI • Course Map

The lush, verdant, tree-lined hills and brilliant blue waters along the coastline of Onomea Bay and Hilo Bay form the beautifully scenic backdrop for Hawaii’s Big Island International Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 3.1-Mile Run/Walk, which hosted its first-ever 13.1-mile race in 2009.

Run through the paradise-like hills along the highway overlooking the bays that open out into the vast open waters of the Pacific Ocean, this race features some of the most beautiful natural scenery runners are likely to encounter at any major race anywhere in the world.

The race starting line lies in Hilo, along the coast near the southern end of Onomea Bay. From there, runners follow an out-and-back route that takes them first along the Bayfront Highway/Mamalahoa Highway, and then back south along the route they’ve just run, back toward the starting line area.

The race’s middle stretch — which features a downhill stretch that drops roughly 200 feet overall in elevation — also takes runners along what is known locally as “the coast of Old Hawaii,” and features the famous scenery for which the islands are so well known, including runs across old bridges, past beautiful waterfalls and across lava beaches.

The last few miles of the race feature a run along the edge of a beautiful small peninsula that sticks out into the bay, and where the Liliuokani Gardens and Banyan Golf Course lie side-by-side with the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort and Coconut Island Park.

Runners make their way along Lihiwai Street and Banyan Drive, past Waihonu Pond and the shoreline of Reeds Bay for a shorter out-and-back. After hitting the turnaround point on Kalanianaole Avenue, they head back into town toward the bayfront, where the race finish lies.

The course time limit for the half marathon is 6 hours and 45 minutes, which means that walkers as well as runners are welcome to participate in the race.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled along the northeast corner of Hawaii’s Big Island, in the shadow of the nearby volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the city of Hilo typically experiences mild to moderately warm weather conditions virtually year-round, and plentiful rainfall in most months throughout the year.

March brings plentiful rainfall, as Hilo averages over 14 inches for the month.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Big Island International Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 6:00 AM – full marathon
  • 6:15 AM – half marathon
  • 6:30 AM – 5K
  • 7:00 AM – 10K

Fees

  • $110 and up – half marathon
  • $125 and up – marathon
  • $65 and up – 10K
  • $45 and up – 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Hilo’s Big Island International Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K or 3.1-Mile Run/Walk, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.hilomarathon.org

Comments

Ever run in the Big Island Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: March, Hawaii

3 comments… add one
  • Asmat January 1, 2023, 4:50 pm

    I am in the United kingdom. can i run this race?

    Reply
  • Peter Ballerini February 8, 2020, 1:11 pm

    Aloha
    I am still waiting to confirm my registration for the big island international half marathon. I paid cash for this event at the revel run expo.

    Pete

    Reply
  • Janice Burton April 15, 2015, 1:33 pm

    I would like to make plans for 2016 Half marathon can you give me any information? When will registration for this be available?

    Reply

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