Races Marathon · Hilo, USA
Big Island International Marathon
Big Island International Marathon is a rolling marathon in Hilo, USA, held each March. Two out-and-backs from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel along the old coast road. Most of the climbing is on the upper out-and-back toward Hamakua. The lower loop towards Richardson's Beach Park is close to flat. Hilo in March is warm, humid and often wet, typically 18 to 27°C at race time, and rain affected the 2026 race. With Big Island International Marathon's constant undulation, pace by effort rather than the watch: even effort beats even splits here.
Page rebuilt 2026-11-14 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
March
next: Sunday 14 March 2027
Course
rolling
Marathon
Conditions
Hilo in March is warm, humid and often wet, typically 18 to 27°C at race time, and rain affected the 2026 race.
Racing this course well
Two out-and-backs from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel along the old coast road. Most of the climbing is on the upper out-and-back toward Hamakua. The lower loop towards Richardson's Beach Park is close to flat.
With Big Island International Marathon's constant undulation, pace by effort rather than the watch: even effort beats even splits here.
Getting a place
- How you get in
- Open entry: first come, first served
- Entries open
- Entries for 2027 opened on 1 October 2026
- Price
- From $150 until 30 November 2026, rising in steps to $185 in the last 24 hours (2027 race)
Official Big Island International Marathon site →Checked November 2026
Race day
- Next race
- Sunday 14 March 2027
- Start time
- 06:00
- Time limit
- 7 hours
- Also on the day
- half-marathon, 10k, 5k
The course in numbers
The route crosses the Singing Bridge on Highway 19 and passes the Tropical Botanical Gardens. A second loop runs along Kalanianaole Avenue towards Richardson's Beach Park. Roads are open to traffic with narrow shoulders in places.
- Layout
- Out-and-back
Worth knowing
- Aid stations are roughly every 3 km, with water and sports drink. Some late stations add cola and gels.
Pick your goal for Hilo
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common marathon goals:
The date shown is the one the organiser has announced. Change it if yours differs.
Build your training around Big Island International Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today. Your plan adapts when life interrupts, and you approve every change. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the Big Island International Marathon?
- The next Big Island International Marathon is on Sunday 14 March 2027 in Hilo, USA. It is held each March.
- Is the Big Island International Marathon course flat?
- Two out-and-backs from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel along the old coast road. Most of the climbing is on the upper out-and-back toward Hamakua. The lower loop towards Richardson's Beach Park is close to flat.
- How do I enter the Big Island International Marathon?
- Open entry: first come, first served. Entries for 2027 opened on 1 October 2026. Price: From $150 until 30 November 2026, rising in steps to $185 in the last 24 hours (2027 race).
- How should I train for the Big Island International Marathon?
- Train specifically for Hilo — terrain, conditions, goal pace — and let the plan flex around real life. With RunV Premium you can adapt your plan to fit your week.
Not sure what to target? Predict your marathon time from a recent race →
More marathon races
Supplements research for this distance
Build for Hilo — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in March — and adapts it when training doesn't go to script. You approve every change.
