HONOLULU EMBRACES BEING THE "PEOPLE'S MARATHON"
By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom
(c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

HONOLULU (12-Dec) -- With more than 32,000 participants already registered for Sunday's Honolulu Marathon and Race Day Walk, a festive atmosphere has swept through Hawaii's state capital city. The fourth-largest marathon in the United States, the Honolulu Marathon draws athletes from all over America and the world, each with their own unique story.

At the Honolulu Marathon Expo, we asked many runners what they are looking forward to most and what makes this race special. Here's what they had to say:

"I'm in the military so all of my unit does it. I'm recently reported and we do it as a team and it's a great way for the military to get out. I'm joining that and pretty happy to be a part of that! I'm an older guy for the military and all my young bucks do it. It's one of those camaraderie things with a little pressure to go out and show the younger guys I've still got it and still can complete a marathon. I'm looking forward to finishing, getting a time, and saying "Oorah I did it!" --Joseph Howard of Waynesville, Ohio, stationed at Pearl Harbor.

"I'm most excited to finish it. I thought Honolulu would be a good venue for my first marathon as they let everybody finish, no cut-off time. Beautiful setting and I'm really looking forward to it. Running along towards Diamond Head, enjoying the scenery. Honolulu has a lot to offer!" --Dennis Benitez of San Diego, Calif.

"I'm most looking forward to finishing and getting the medal. I chose Honolulu because I just moved here ten months ago and people said 'Oh you've got to do that!' Being here and it being a big race, well organized with great reviews, I knew I wanted to do it. The supportive community is great. I'm looking forward to going past Hawaii Kai because my kids are going to be out there and I'll be able to wave to them!" --Cheryl Beloro, Honolulu, HI

"This is my 16th marathon, and my first Honolulu. I'm most excited for the run through Waikiki. I was stationed here about 20 years ago in the Marine Corps, and I came back on vacation to show my daughters where they were born and to do the race while I'm here. It's a family occasion. We came in from Pennsylvania. One of the things that I loved about Hawaii was the Aloha Spirit, and it seems like it has only grown since I've been away. My two daughters, my wife, and my son-in-law, who's in the Marine Corps now, are all here." --Tony Spears, Scott Township, Penn,

"I'm most looking forward to doing it together. I've only done one other marathon and that was in college. He's never done one and it's been on his bucket list so the fact that we trained together and get to do this, it's going to be a lot of fun." --Tracy Davis, 'Aiea, HI, speaking with her husband Paul. ("Realistically she's going to be dragging me through it and picking me up when I fall down" added Paul.)

"I've done it three times. What makes it special is the sun and a lot of people. It's very fun. It keeps me coming back, and the fans are very, very supportive. I look forward to the loop around Hawaii Kai each year." --Niki Eller, Tri-Cities, Wash.

"I'm cheering on behalf of my friend. Annually I come out and cheer, it's a tradition and it's fun. It's in December around Christmas, and just running through the streets with all the lights -- it's festive. Trying to achieve personal goals, it's exciting. Every year I look forward to it. The community comes together around it." --Vicki Jones, North Shore, HI, who will be cheering her friends Gloria and Chen.

"This is my sixth or seventh Honolulu, and this is the only marathon I've run. I always come back because I think I'm going to go faster. The chance to improve my personal best each year. There's strong fan support along the way, especially along the Kahala area. But it's the finish and start I look forward to each year. Everyone is jazzed up at the start, getting ready to go, and the fireworks help. After that it's just trying to get through the race to the finish!" --Derek Hasegawa, Honolulu, HI


PHOTO: The Honolulu Marathon proudly wears the moniker of "People's Marathon" because the event has no cut-off time (photo by Ronen Zilberman for the Honolulu Marathon; used with permission)


ENDS