42nd HONOLULU MARATHON - JUST THE FACTS
By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom
(c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

HONOLULU (13-Dec) -- On Sunday, the Honolulu Marathon will be run here in Hawaii's state capitol, with about 31,000. In its 42nd year, the race is filled with history dating back to 1973. Before the winners come down Diamond Head Road and enter Kapiolani Park with the finish in sight, here are eleven stats and fun facts to keep in mind as the race unfolds:

-- Past Champions: The Honolulu Marathon boasts a robust list of past champions that includes Olympic medalists and World Marathon Major winners. Kenya's Wilson Kipsang, the current World Marathon Majors champion, 2014 TCS New York City Marathon winner, and former world record holder, won the 2012 edition here in 2:12:31.

Before going on to win three Boston Marathon crowns, Kenya's Ibrahim Hussein won the Honolulu Marathon three times between 1985 and 1987. Lee Bong-Ju, Jon Anderson, Svetlana Zakharova, Kim Merritt, and Jacqueline Hansen are also among those to have won both the Honolulu Marathon and Boston Marathons.

-- No Time Cut-off: Unlike most marathons around the world, the Honolulu Marathon does not have a time cut-off for runners on the course. Last year, the final finisher completed the 26.2 mile race from Ala Moana Boulevard to Kapiolani Park in 19 hours, 39 minutes, 34 seconds (45 minutes per mile pace!).

-- Race Week Registration: Also unique to the Honolulu Marathon is race week registration. Runners are able to sign up for the marathon anytime up to 5:00pm the day before the race at the Honolulu Marathon and Race Day Walk Expo. On Wednesday --the first day of the Honolulu Marathon Expo-- an additional 275 athletes signed up on the spot.

-- Most Wins and Event Records: Carla Beurskens of the Netherlands and James Muindi of Kenya have the most wins in race history at eight and six, respectively. Muindi is the men's event record holder, having timed 2:11:12 en route to his 2004 title. Lyubov Denisova of Russia holds the fastest women's time at 2:27:19, set in 2006.

-- Race Beauty: Among the most scenic marathons in the world, the Honolulu Marathon race course includes spectacular ocean views alongside world-famous Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head and Koko Head volcanic craters. The terrain is level except for the hills on Diamond Head Avenue which the athletes do at both the beginning and end of the race.

-- Race Growth: At the first Honolulu Marathon in 1973, there were 162 entrants and 151 finishers. In 2013, 31,579 people entered with 22,096 finishers. More than 31,000 have entered this weekend's race, with about 3000 more in the 10-kilometer race day walk.

-- Prize Money: $150,000 in prize money is up for grabs between men and women, not including generous course records bonuses of $15,000. Both winners will take home $40,000. There are six sub-2:08 men in the field, as well as two former women's champions.

-- Did you know? -- Among the many notable runners to have completed the Honolulu Marathon are 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Bryan Clay (a Hawaiian native from Kaneohe), Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, and Prince Pieter-Christiaan of the Dutch Royal family. You never know who may be spectating too -- among those to have cheered on runners in the past are actors Sean Penn and Josh Hartnett, as well as the cast of the hit television show "Lost."

-- Japanese Runners -- Since 2004, an average of 58.12% of Honolulu Marathon starters have been from Japan. Long regarded for its history, prestige, and welcoming nature, the Honolulu Marathon has become an event that many Japanese athletes circle on their calendar, says Japan Running News Editor Brett Larner.

"For a long time, if you were an amateur that wanted to do one marathon in your life, this is the one to do. It's got a reputation and legacy, history in Japan," said Larner. "Some people come every year and this is the one marathon they do every year."

-- Top Wheelchair Athletes: Some of the world's best wheelchair competitors have claimed victories in Honolulu. Japan's Masazumi Soejima and American Krige Schabort (formerly of South Africa) have combined to win each of the men's races dating back to 2000. Reigning women's champion Wakako Tsuchida has won eight titles in the last fourteen years.

-- Honolulu Marathon By The Numbers --
  11: Number of women to have run under 2:30 at the Honolulu Marathon
  44: Number of men to have run under 2:15 at the Honolulu Marathon
  34,434 entrants: The largest field size in race history (1995). A total of 27,022 runners finished that year.
  1,900,000 cups
  104,780 pounds of ice cubes
  125,000 small safety pins
  175 full-size buses

PHOTO: Reigning World Marathon Majors champion Wilson Kipsang won the Honolulu Marathon in 2012; before the race he visited a local school (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

ENDS