I’m trying to figure out how an event can continue to be this big yet be this disorganized with 45+ years of practice. I’ll start with the CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR of the entire operation including the race director to the Honolulu Police Department

The amount of children (barely walking toddlers all the way up to under 18) that were on the course made my skin crawl.
I walked up to a cop (HPD) to voice my concern that there are multiple cases of child abuse and wreckless endangerment of a minor going on right in front of him he responded “Yea, it happens every year especially with the Japanese tourists” I was so dumbfounded that I just walked away before I caused myself to get arrested.

ALERT** Japanese Tour Groups Infestation Overload
I understand that sounds bad but until you’ve experienced it yourself out of 30,000+ runners 50-75% are taking over the place. Japan Airlines is a huge sponsor and it’s obvious that they treat them much better than the rest of us

Packet Pickup - non Japanese shuttles pick up and drop off to 3 locations very regularly was great thankfully we picked a random hotel nearby.

Bib pickup - was smooth however I don’t think I was asked for my Identification

Expo - fairly large but it wasn’t anything super special

Pre-race Swag - All you get is your 1 miler shirt (if applicable)

Pre 1 miler - NO transportation you get a discount at a mall parking lot $2.00 if you’re in by 6am and out before 9am however the lot is about .75 from the start line

Post 1 mile - after we finish they ask us to stay and watch the elite runners run a sub 5 min mile which is stupid because they run so fast you barely see them go by then it’s a .75 mile walk back to your car

1 Mile race swag- after the 1 miler they move us into the sand (exactly what you want if you’re running in the same pair the next day) they give you an ok medal (but since you CANNOT preview it before the run) you have to guess if it’s worth it.

Pre-Marathon - race starts at 5am No transportation again (unless you are in one of Japanese tour groups. All roads are closed at 4am so you have to walk with the thousands of others to the start line (1.5 miles for me)

Start line - they are reminding us to line up by our bib colors but only the avid running Americans are following the rules. You would think that a race that allows runners UNLIMITED TIME would but the walkers in the back or start them hours in advance so they aren’t walking in the sun for 10+ hours (this year’s last person was 17:50.52)
Couple of big hills at mile 6-7 (100+ feet elevation) and you get them again on your way back at 24-25

Post-marathon - they give you a map before the race like you are going to memorize it and then you wonder around trying to find water, food, finishers shirt shade and pictures
We found out the Japanese Airlines has their own tents and sections with food and drink and are basically VIPs and everyone else is less than