Hawaii’s hometown race: the Great Aloha Run

Hit Honolulu’s Great Aloha Run to catch local racers and live music on Feb. 20. Credit: Ryan Ozawa.

By Erin Behan

There’s nothing like watching someone else prove athletic prowess while on vacation. And in Hawaii, one of Honolulu’s most beloved road races — the Kaiser Permanente Great Aloha Run on Feb. 20 — gives those on a Hawaii vacation a chance to do just that.

The 8.15-mile race brings the whole city together; of its 15,000 runners, many are residents and many more come to cheer on participants. The race divisionsare many, from competitive wheelchair and handcycle to elite runners to those with walkers, baby strollers and the like. Then there are the 5,000 members of the United States Armed Forces “Sounds of Freedom” division. In short, it’s half party, half race, and all fun for the spectators lining the raceway.

The race starts at Aloha Tower in downtown Honolulu, winds through the picturesque harbor, down Nimitz and Kamehameha highways and ends in the Aloha Stadium.  You’ll need to know where the finish line is to get in on the party. Hit the  2012 So Ono Great Aloha Run Stadium Party for prizes and live bands and a lot of celebrating, Hawaiian-style.

Since the race starts early at 7 a.m., try a Honolulu hotel near the starting line, like the all-suite Aston at the Executive Centre. Even if you sleep through your alarm and miss the start, you might still be able to catch the award ceremony, which starts at 8:30 a.m.

Related resources

• Cheap Honolulu flights
• Oahu hotels
• Oahu vacation

Erin Behan is a freelance writerand editor out of Brooklyn, N.Y., who counts good food, intoxicating drink and adventurous travel among her favorite things.

Tagged: Hawaii