The race starting line lies in Hilo, along the coast near the southern end of Onomea Bay. From there, runners follow an out-and-back route that takes them first along the Bayfront Highway/Mamalahoa Highway, and then back south along the route they’ve just run, back toward the starting line area.
The race’s middle stretch — which features a downhill stretch that drops roughly 200 feet overall in elevation — also takes runners along what is known locally as “the coast of Old Hawaii,” and features the famous scenery for which the islands are so well known, including runs across old bridges, past beautiful waterfalls and across lava beaches.
The last few miles of the race feature a run along the edge of a beautiful small peninsula that sticks out into the bay, and where the Liliuokani Gardens and Banyan Golf Course lie side-by-side with the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort and Coconut Island Park.
Runners make their way along Lihiwai Street and Banyan Drive, past Waihonu Pond and the shoreline of Reeds Bay for a shorter out-and-back. After hitting the turnaround point on Kalanianaole Avenue, they head back into town toward the bayfront, where the race finish lies.
The course time limit for the half marathon is 6 hours and 45 minutes, which means that walkers as well as runners are welcome to participate in the race.
