STAR ANNOUNCER / 2022
Runners headed down 18th Avenue during last year’s Honolulu Marathon.
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2018
Japan’s Ikuko Inoue, left, and Kana Ueda ran with thousands of others down 18th Avenue toward the curve of Kilauea Avenue at the 2018 Honolulu Marathon. Japanese runners accounted for nearly a portion of the 33,255 participants in 2019, the last pre-pandemic race. There was no race in 2020 and a limited race in 2021. Last year, nearly 5,500 people came from Japan. This year, there are between 9,000 and 10,000 Japanese participants, according to Honolulu Marathon President Jim Barahal.
The Honolulu Marathon is known as “The People’s Race” because anyone 7 or older can enter, and they’ll leave the lights on for you no matter how long you take to finish. It could also be called that because of its economic impact on the people of Hawaii — especially those who work in visitor-related jobs.
Between 9,000 and 10,000 more people are expected to start near the Aloha Tower for the 51st annual 26. 2-mile race on Sunday, Honolulu Marathon President Jim Barahal said Tuesday.
According to honolulumarathon. org, that number is up from 5,469 of last year’s 28,411 participants, but down from the last pre-pandemic race in 2019, when Japanese visitors represented only about 50% of the 33,255 participants.
During the 2010s, Japanese marathon runners spent a total of more than $100 million each year in Hawaii on food, beverages, and accommodation; Their average stay was four and a half days, according to Yomiuri Japan News.
“Of course, COVID changed everything,” Barahal said. “We didn’t have an event in 2020, and in 2021, it was very limited, mostly all locals (16,091 entrants, including 566 from Japan). As we’ve re-emerged, they’re coming back (from Japan).”
Some of the world’s most restrictive pandemic travel restrictions have finally been lifted; Japanese are traveling again in significant numbers, even though the yen is still weak compared to the dollar. That’s why this year’s entrants from Japan are expected to be several thousand more than last year’s.
No one knows if the numbers will ever reach the record of 19,001 Japanese marathon runners out of a total of 29,514 participants in 1993, or 1995, when Honolulu was the world’s largest marathon with 34,434 participants and 27,022 finishers.
Now, however, with relatively new related events like Start to Park 10k and Kalakaua Merrie Mile, locals and visitors who don’t need to or can’t walk 26. 2 miles can participate.
Plus, middle-distance superstars Hobbs Kessler, Yared Nuguse and defending champion Neil Gourley are here for Saturday’s mile, and the world record for a road race at the distance could be broken. Five Olympians, including American mile record-holder Nikki Hiltz, head the women’s field.
Kenya’s Cynthia Limo and Ethiopia’s Kasu Bitew Lemeneh and Sintayehu Tilahun Getahun lead the elite women’s marathoners.
The men’s elite runners include Reuben Kiprop Kerio (Kenya), who is making his sixth Honolulu appearance, and first-timers Abayneh Degu (Ethiopia), Paul Lonyangata (Kenya), Tsegay Weldlibanos (Eritrea) and Filmon Ande (Eritrea).
“I see the Honolulu Marathon as a sporting event,” Barahal said. “But at some point you have to realize that it’s also a business. We will uphold our core values and the Japanese market is a key economic driver for us.
“The expansion was astronomical between 1991 and 1995,” he added. But I think we’re on the verge of our biggest expansion. “
HONOLULU MARATHON
The Start to Park Marathon and 10K start Sunday at 5 a. m.
Ala Moana Blvd./Queen St.
Pick-up of packages and expired registrations
Hawaii Convention Center (also marathon exhibition site)
Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 9 a. m. to 7 p. m.
Saturday, nine a. m. to five p. m.
Kalakaua Merrie Mile, Saturday, 7 a. m. m.
Monsarrat Avenue.
Learn more at honolulumarathon. org
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