More than 6,000 runners took to the streets of Hawaii’s capital city in the early spring of 2016 for the annual Hapalua, subtitled Hawaii’s Half Marathon, which offers an individual half marathon and relay as well as a unique feature it calls “The Chase.”

Designed as a way for the best local runners to compete against the world’s best and attract elite, big-name runners to the race, the Chase in the past has featured elite runners like Patrick Makau, who formerly held the world record for the marathon (at 2 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds), and Jimmy Muindi, the winner of the 2007 Honolulu Marathon (setting a new course record at the same time).

Team Hawaii, a group of the best runners across the state (listed here on the event’s official website), will be given a head start on the “Chasers” for this year’s race. Their job will be to catch up and pass every runner in the Team Hawaii team and then cross the finish line before them. Whoever makes it to the finish line in Kapiolani Park first — whether they’re from Team Hawaii or the Chasers — will be crowned the winner.

For everyone who’s not in these elite groups — which is nearly all of us, right? — the course offers up plenty of gorgeous Hawaiian scenery, from the starting line near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue on Kalakaua Avenue (named for the five-time Olympic medalist in swimming who was later one of the earliest popularizers of surfing). From there, runners head west and north along Kalakaua Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard, all the way to the turn on Smith Street.

After that, runners head back down Ala Moana down the route they’ve just run, all the way to Diamond Head Crater State Monument, where they’ll run all the way around the 475-acre park that circles what is perhaps Honolulu’s most famous site. Called a tuff volcano for the rock it is made of, Diamond Head erupted some 300,000 years ago, leaving the crater we know today, which is now filled with hiking trails and some of Hawaii’s most spectacular views.

“The race is organized by the Honolulu Marathon, and much of the course is the same as the marathon course — it is very scenic and takes you through Honolulu and then around Diamond Head.

“Going back toward Waikiki and down Kalakaua Avenue, the course remains flat until mile 9 when there is an incline going around the volcanic crater of Diamond Head. The course ends in Kapiolani Park at the Honolulu Marathon finish line where the post-race food is malasadas. To cool down, walk 100 yards to the ocean! Unforgettable.

04-16-2023, 06:00 am - 12:00 pm