General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Honolulu Marathon Rss Feed  
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2012-11-26 11:32 PM

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Subject: Honolulu Marathon
I need advice from a nice person who lives on Oahu about the Honolulu Marathon.  I'm staying with people in Kapolei.  What is the best way to get to the start?  I'd like to be able to drive somewhere and park that I can get back to after the race (I don't mind walking afterwards... at least something like 2 miles or less).  Where is a good place to park?  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks.


2012-11-28 12:53 PM
in reply to: #4511107

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon
Your best bet if you're going to drive is to park somewhere on Kapahulu Ave. and walk down to the zoo parking lot to catch one of the marathon shuttle buses to the start line. The earlier you get to Kapahulu, the likelier you'll have a shorter walk to your car after the race. You might be able to find on-street parking in the surrounding neighborhood or on Monsarrat Ave. above Leahi Ave. near Waikiki Elementary School, but I wouldn't bet on it.
2012-11-28 3:27 PM
in reply to: #4511107

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon

Coming from Kapolei, I wouldn't try to park near the finish and catch the shuttle unless you want to wake up around midnight.  There are over 20k runners in the race, and parking near the finish is going to be bad.  Shuttle service runs from 2-4am and you don't want to chance taking the later shuttles so you better have your car parked by 2:30 am at the latest.  That gives you 10 minutes to walk from your car to the shuttle, then another 30 minutes to wait in line and get in the shuttle to get to the start by 3am.  Just keep in mind that while you could try to park at 3am, the parking will be much farther away, and the line to the shuttle will be longer.  The drive from Kapolei will take you about 45 minutes, so you would need to be out the door at 1:15am.  Not sure what time you would need to wake up for that to happen.

Instead, I would park your car at the finish the day before (parking is much more wide open), then catch a ride back to Kapolei.  Then beg a friend to drop you off at the start line at 4:15am (leave by 3:30).  That should get you over 2 hours more sleep, less waiting time at the start line, and your car is closer to the finish line.  Tell your friend who drops you off to park near the start and spectate.  There is a nice fireworks show and since you should get to see the runners twice as the runners will come back to the start area at about mile 4.

2012-11-29 11:54 AM
in reply to: #4511107

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon

Jason, and Beerman,

Thanks for the answers - very helpful information.  Makes me think I'm better off booking one night in a Waikiki hotel and not deal with driving & parking at all.

I really appreciate your answers !  Thanks again.

2012-11-29 4:04 PM
in reply to: #4514943

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon
Kevin26.2 - 2012-11-29 7:54 AM

Jason, and Beerman,

Thanks for the answers - very helpful information.  Makes me think I'm better off booking one night in a Waikiki hotel and not deal with driving & parking at all.

I really appreciate your answers !  Thanks again.

A lot of people do that, and considering over 13000 Japanese tourists come over to do the race, you might have a hard time finding an affordable room.

2012-11-29 5:30 PM
in reply to: #4511107

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon

both times I did Honolulu Marathon, I did the park thing on Kapahulu and walked to the bus.

Yes, as mentioned, it's VERY EARLY and is not fun getting there by 2:30am.

However, once you wake up, it's not too bad. You wind up waiting around with the thousands congregating on the streets. But the conversations are usually fun, and goes by fairly fast...

yet if the weather isn't nice (ie raining) make sure you bring a plastic trash bag or throwaway rain poncho.

bring munchies & drinks.

the strategy worked for me, although it was a SLOW walk back to the car both times.



2012-11-29 5:32 PM
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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon

Kevin26.2 - 2012-11-29 6:54 AM

Makes me think I'm better off booking one night in a Waikiki hotel and not deal with driving & parking at all.

 

and this is by far the best idea...

2012-11-30 2:33 PM
in reply to: #4515477

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon
metafizx - 2012-11-29 1:30 PM

the strategy worked for me, although it was a SLOW walk back to the car both times.

The first year I did it, I parked near the finish at a coworkers house and she gave me a ride to the start.  After the finish...I forgot where her house was.  That was a LONG walk.

2012-11-30 2:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon
tri808 - 2012-11-30 9:33 AM
metafizx - 2012-11-29 1:30 PM

the strategy worked for me, although it was a SLOW walk back to the car both times.

The first year I did it, I parked near the finish at a coworkers house and she gave me a ride to the start.  After the finish...I forgot where her house was.  That was a LONG walk.

oh man...that must've been tough

2012-11-30 2:50 PM
in reply to: #4511107

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Subject: RE: Honolulu Marathon
I lucked out, I was able to use some Hilton points I had leftover and booked a hotel room for one night.  It is not the huge Hilton village (which is closer to the start) but another Hilton that is closer to the finish area - a very short walk to both the buses and the finish line.   Thanks again to all for the parking/driving advice, it scared me into the hotel idea - and my stress level went way down.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Honolulu Marathon Rss Feed