Hilo trades resort polish for an old-coast course through rainforest, waterfalls, and wet ocean air. We run two out-and-backs from the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, and March temperatures around 19 to 26 degrees sound mild until the roughly 70% rain estimate matters. The marathon is Boston-qualifying, but elevation and the $150 entry remain placeholders. Partners get Volcanoes National Park nearby, though fewer beach-resort distractions than Kona or Poipu.
Better info coming — we're still verifying 4 fields on this race.
Why we'd pick it
- The 280 m climbing estimate is useful for planning, not a verified pacing number.
- Open · Direct entry — no lottery to lose.
- Race day usually sits 18.9–24.2°C, about 69% chance of rain.
The course
Two out-and-backs leave the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for the old coastal road north of town, passing ocean, waterfalls, rainforest, and residential stretches before returning to Banyan Drive. Hilo rain is the defining variable rather than altitude. The route is certified, but the stored 280-meter gain and 90-meter high point are placeholders until a reliable 2027 elevation file is available.
Difficulty and PR scores
Difficulty is the course and the conditions. The PR score is a separate read on a fast clock. Missing inputs are dropped and the other weights are rescaled. The method, with the weights.
- Difficulty
- 45 / 100
- PR / BQ friendliness
- Not scored
Weight used: 60%. Need 40% before we print a number.
Weight used: 30%. Need 45% before we print a number.
Weather median for 2011–2025, race date ±7 days, 225 days, at Start / finish, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Grid elevation 0 m.
No cited BQ rate for this race.
| Input | 0–100 | What went in |
|---|---|---|
| G Gain | — | No trusted gain per km. Uncertain stored gain is not used. |
| A Altitude | 0 | 0 m. 0 below 300 m, 100 at 2000 m. Source: open-meteo-grid. |
| H Heat | 95 | High 24.2°C, dew point 18.2°C. The hotter of the two bands is used. |
| W Wind | 15 | 2.74 m/s median. Bands: under 3 → 15, under 5 → 40, under 8 → 70, else 100. |
| S Surface | 15 | road. Road 15, mixed 45, gravel 70, trail 90. |
| T Cool temps | 5 | 100 minus heat (95). |
| B BQ evidence | — | No cited BQ rate. |
Stays around the race
These are area searches near the published start, finish, and course pins. TripRace may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. We are not naming a hotel.
- Along the course · Hilo Hawaiian Hotel — Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
- Along the course · Downtown Hilo — Downtown Hilo
