Runners, spectators, volunteers brave wet weather at Honolulu Marathon

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - More than 32,000 runners hit the pavement Sunday for the 2025 Honolulu Marathon, braving early-morning showers and sporadic downpours.

The 26.2-mile marathon began at Ala Moana Beach Park at 5 a.m., taking runners from downtown Honolulu through Waikiki and into East Oahu.

Eritrea’s Tsegay Weldilbanos won the men’s race while Calli Hauger-Thackery made history as the first female winner from Great Britain.

RELATED STORY: Rain-soaked 2025 Honolulu Marathon produces pair of first-time winners

The marathon also included volunteers and spectators enduring the wet weather to support runners.

Carolers spread holiday cheer from sidelines

Within the hour after the start, runners crowded South King Street. As they passed Iolani Palace and Honolulu Hale, some paused to listen to carolers along the sidewalk.

Two women, Dannye Naipo and April Nakaima, were part of the group, which included ukulele players and a tambourine. They said they came to celebrate with the runners.

“[We came] to give them a little cheer, holiday cheer, sing some Christmas songs and some Hawaiian songs to give them more energy because they give us energy,” said Naipo.

Watch our full Honolulu Marathon 2025 coverage here.

The two perform regularly as part of a fellowship at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

“It’s really the true meaning of kanikapila in Hawaii, where you just join in and play as good or as bad as you are,” said Nakaima. “You just have fun, and you learn.”

They said using their talent to cheer on the runners was very rewarding.

“To be able to share our music with the runners and to cheer them on, encourage them that what they’re doing is great,” said Naipo.

“For me, it’s just joyful, and who make eye contact with a stranger who’s running by, and they pop a smile, or do a shaka or wave,” said Nakaima. “I know there’s a lot of tourists here, and so just to give a little aloha to the tourists, they love it.

“It’s fun for them as much as it is for us,” Nakaima added.

Volleyball club leader hands out waters, cleans roads with team

Jy Inouye, who directs the Honolulu Volleyball Club, showed up with players and parents at 3 a.m., ready to hand water to passing runners and pick up trash.

“(It’s) just to give back a little bit to the marathon and just help out,” Inouye said.

Inouye, like many others participating in the event, got drenched by heavy rain early in the morning.

He said he was glad it stopped when it did. “It cleared up nice for the runners, you know, perfect timing, so not too bad,” said Inouye.

Inouye said he wanted his players to learn key lessons while working at the marathon.

“The girls hopefully, they gain where, it’s like team bonding and, you know, get closer together, working on and off the court,” said Inouye. “Hopefully, they get a sense of that.”

Experienced athlete aims to inspire runners of all ages

Runner Yvette Caldwell, 52, from California, said she believes people of all ages should participate.

“I always tell everybody, it is not your age,” she said. “Never think you can stop, that you have to stop. I am a proven example of why we keep going.”

Caldwell has been running marathons for years. This is her third Honolulu Marathon.

“I did it in ’23 for my 50th (birthday), then I’m back, and last year, I beat (my time) by a whole hour,” Caldwell said. “I’m hoping I make 5:59 again. That’s what I did before, so hopefully I do it before six hours.”

Caldwell said the rain is a different experience compared to the weather in California.

“It’s raining, but it feels so good because coming from California, oh my gosh, this is just hot, and it’s a lot of humidity,” she said. “So, this feels perfect.”

Father guides keiki in new family tradition

Andrew, who did not want to disclose his last name, said he’s running with his children to grow closer as a family.

“We ran the Merrie Mile yesterday, and we had so much fun, as well as last year, that we wanted to just make a tradition going forward,” said Andrew.

“Family means just being there for each other through thick and thin,” he added. “Just experiencing children grow into adults.”

Runner says marathon was a ‘roller coaster’

Cole McGinnes, a New York City resident, crossed the finish line after three and a half hours.

“I’ve always wanted to come to Hawaii, honestly, and then one of my friends signed up,” said McGinnes. “He basically convinced me to come along, so here I am, I guess.”

McGinnes described running the marathon like a roller coaster.

“The start was pretty crazy, just like, so many people,” he said. “But it’s cool, everyone’s, you know, getting out there and having fun and moving their bodies.”

He recalled when he began feeling the exertion.

“The first half felt really good, and then around like mile 20, obviously, things kind of went downhill,” McGinnes said. “Then coming up Diamond Head absolutely killed me, but then the sun came out too, which is just tough.

“I’m coming from New York, where it’s like 30 degrees,” he said.

RELATED STORY: Honolulu Marathon runners begin recovery after soggy race

McGinnes said, despite the weather, he admired the experience.

“The course is awesome, and I love all the people out there cheering, and yeah, it’s beautiful, obviously,” he said.

McGinnes said having people by his side feels special.

“I love that I have friends who are willing to put their bodies through this, and, you know, it’s nice to have a training partner too, like before the race,” he said. “It makes the miles go by a lot faster.”

This was McGinnes’ first time in Hawaii, and he hopes to return.

“The people here are so nice and friendly, and obviously, this place is beyond beautiful,” said McGinnes. “So, definitely, want to come back.”

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