Big Island International Marathon
Hilo, United States · March · Independent
Why people love it
- Coast, waterfalls and rainforest at sea level.
- Start, expo and finish area at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
- Small field with runners from many countries.
- Easy entry; the race does not sell out.
Watch out for
- Open highway with narrow shoulders; recent runners raised safety concerns.
- Humid, highs of 26 to 31 °C (79 to 88 °F), and heavy rain is possible.
- About 305 m (1,000 ft) of climb in the first half.
- Few mile markers and thin finish food reported in 2026.
- Entry is pricey for what runners say they received.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Very tough
- Racer satisfactionLiked2.6
RaceRaves: 10 ratings averaging 2.8 out of 5; recent runners cite safety and signage, earlier ones praised the coast. MarathonGuide: 2 averaging 3. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate2.6
Production rated 2.8 out of 5; 2026 runners cite poor signage, no mile markers and no finish medical. 2018 and 2019 reports were good. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.3
Hills, humid heat and open-highway running make it hard for a first marathon; the field is only about 900. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialSlow1.8
About 305 m (1,000 ft) of climb in the first half, plus heat and humidity. 2020 winner ran 2:41:40. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.4
Coast, waterfalls and rainforest, but RaceRaves scenery averages 3.4 out of 5; some runners cite junkyards and highway. · Medium confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points2.8
Out-and-back sections on narrow shoulders with a small field. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
Paved highway but shoulders narrow and sloping; no cobbles. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly open1.8
Open highway with little or no shoulder; safety is the chief complaint from recent runners. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessHilly2.3
About 305 m (1,000 ft) of climb in the first half, according to a runner. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven2.8
Hilly profile with no published net drop and no Boston-qualifying status found. · Low confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.2
Starts at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel; a half runner reported start confusion with no signs, while another found it easy in and out. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingFew2.4
No pace group details found, and runners reported missing mile markers in 2026. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent3.0
The 2020 winner praised the crowds; the 2026 field was small after a storm. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.2
One runner called the aid stations the bright spot; others found sparse food and water-only finish fare. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.0
Coastal route with no consistent wind reports. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureHarsh1.8
Highs 26 to 31 °C (79 to 88 °F), lows 18 to 23 °C (64 to 73 °F), high humidity; heavy rain in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.2
Heavy rain in 2026 left a muddy finish and many no-shows; tropical showers are common. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.8
Highway course with runners spread along the coast. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 10 m (33 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.8
Hilo has a hotel strip on Banyan Drive. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Hawaii prices are high. · Medium confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Start, expo and finish at or near the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel / Bayfront. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.5
Inter-island or long-haul flight to Hilo, about 3 km (2 mi) from the hotels. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.8
Expo and bib pickup at the host hotel; one runner found it easy in and out. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.6
Hilo town, farmers market and nearby Volcanoes National Park. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inOpen entry4.5
Open entry; 900 registered; no sellout reported. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyPricey2.2
Runners call it expensive for water-only finish food, thin swag and a single-chair medal line in 2026. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Hilo, Hawaii County, United States
- Typical month
- March
- Latest or next date
- 14 March 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 900 athletes
- First held
- 1997
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Surface
- Paved highway with narrow, sloping shoulders
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Air temperature
- 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
- Humidity
- High, tropical
- Altitude
- 10 m (33 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Hilo International Airport (ITO), 3 km (2 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Banyan Drive, Hilo downtown
- Booking
- Start and expo at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel; hotels along Banyan Drive.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Ten runner reviews, 2.8 out of 5. 2026 marathoners were harshly critical: busy highway with little shoulder, no mile markers, little finish food; one 33-marathon veteran ranked it last. Earlier reviewers (2018 to 2023) praised the coast, volunteers and organization.
“This course is on busy highways with little to no shoulder.”
- MarathonGuideRaced 2026 · aggregator · Negative
Two reviews averaging 3 out of 5; one marathoner places it at the bottom of 33 marathons.
“this race ranks at the very bottom for me.”
- Hawaii Tribune-HeraldRaced 2020 · article · Positive
2020 race news: hilly course, about 900 registered with a quarter withdrawing over COVID fears, runners from Japan, Europe and the US. Winner praised the crowds and scenery.
“so many people cheered”
Raced Big Island International Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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