Next race
Sunday, 4 July 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The Kona Marathon draws approximately 119 finishers each July on a scenic coastal road in Kailua-Kona, United States. The Kona Marathon brings runners to Hawaii Island's sunny west coast over rolling coastal roads. The course tours Kona's coastal roads, coffee-country connectors, and lava-field vistas on the Big Island. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Kona Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 119 finishers
Course & terrain
The Kona Marathon is a rolling scenic coastal road course with moderate climbs. Starts and finishes in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island's western coast. The course tours Kona's coastal roads, coffee-country connectors, and lava-field vistas on the Big Island. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs.
The Kona Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 3 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
Kona Marathon is typically held in July. Registration opens through https://konamarathon.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Getting there
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA)
12 km / 7 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Kailua-Kona.
The Maui Oceanfront Marathon draws approximately 206 finishers each January on a scenic coastal road in Maui, United States. A January oceanfront marathon on Maui with a flat, fast certified course popular for winter racing. The course follows Maui's coastal highways with Pacific views and resort-town finishes. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 17 January 2027
The Maui Marathon draws approximately 404 finishers each April on a scenic coastal road in Kaanapali, United States. Hawaii's second-largest marathon field runs a scenic point-to-point course along Maui's famous western coast. The course follows Maui's western shoreline with Pacific views, resort roads, and West Maui mountain backdrops. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
The Honolulu Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 18k finishers on a scenic coastal road in Honolulu, United States. The course starts before dawn on Ala Moana Boulevard in Waikiki and finishes in Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head. Hilly in the second half, with the biggest climbs between miles 18 and 23.
Next race: Sunday, 13 December 2026
The Kauai Marathon draws approximately 319 finishers each September on a scenic coastal road in Poipu, United States. Kauai's premier marathon combines Garden Isle scenery with a challenging hilly coastal course each Labor Day weekend. The course tours Kauai's south-shore cliffs, coastal roads, and tropical resort neighborhoods. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Big Sur International Marathon is widely regarded as America's most beautiful marathon, drawing about 4,500 runners each April on a point-to-point along California's Highway 1. The course passes the iconic Bixby Bridge at mile 13, McWay Falls viewpoints, and the rugged Big Sur coastline. It is not a personal-best course — the hills and cliffside scenery are the reward.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
The San Francisco Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in San Francisco, United States. The course starts and finishes along the Embarcadero. The route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, passes the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and the Haight. Hilly throughout, with the steepest climbs in the Presidio and through Golden Gate Park.
Next race: Saturday, 31 July 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
