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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon

Hilo, HI
Sunday, December 20, 2026


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description
The course is all downhill except for a few gently rolling uphill sections at the beginning and end of the course. During the first 3 miles, the course is along Highway 11 as it passes through Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and then enters the community of Volcano. For the first 15 miles the course is surrounded by a mixture of original Hawaiian hapu‘u & ??hi?a rainforest, residential and agricultural land.

The start offers spectacular views of Hawai‘i’s highest volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, and during the first few miles runners will experience the dawn chorus of many Hawaiian endemic birds that may include the Apapane, Hawai‘i Amakihi, I‘iwi (all three are Hawaiian Honeycreepers), Oma‘o (Hawaiian Thrush), and Hawai‘i Elepaio (a monarch flycatcher). As you run, keep your eyes open for the Nene (Hawaiian Goose) and the ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk), both endangered Hawaiian endemic species. After Volcano at Mile 4.36, the race continues downhill along Highway 11 until Mile 26.06 when runners turn left onto Stainback Hwy to finish in front of the Boy Scouts of America – Aloha Council, Kilauea Camp.

Temperature averages and calculations are taken from halfway down the course due to the significant temperature changes (cooler at the start) as the course elevation drops.

December Other Marathons in December Other Marathons in Hawaii Marathons near Hilo, HI



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, December 20, 2026
2025: Sunday, December 21, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 62°F (16°C)
Average High: 69°F (20°C)
Average Low: 55° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 105.75
Course Score: 107.62

Race Size

2025: 112 Finishers
2024: 127 Finishers
2023: 106 Finishers
2022: 90 Finishers
2021: 53 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 13.4%
2024: 41.7%
2023: 50.9%
2022: 35.6%
2021: 39.6%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 7 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 79°F  (26°C)
Low: 63°F  (17°C)

Race Start Conditions

66°F  (19°C)
Humidity: 77%

Overcast
SW 5 mph

PR Score

103.75

Course Score

107.93






Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon was the 350th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 322nd largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 13.4% of Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 41.7% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon ranked 92nd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 10th in 2024. In Hawaii, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon has a Course Score of 107.62, ranking it as the 1st fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Hawaii.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon a PR Score of 105.75. The PR Score ranks the Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon as the 3rd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Hawaii.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Hawaii for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Hawaii Bird Conservation Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed1st fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Hawaii
Top 1% Nationally#1 of 7 in Hawaii
PR Potential3rd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Hawaii
Top 1% Nationally#1 of 7 in Hawaii
Boston Qualifier Rate92nd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in Hawaii
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 20% Nationally#1 of 6 in Hawaii
Race Size350th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 7th largest marathon in Hawaii
Based on 2025 results
Top 59% Nationally#7 of 7 in Hawaii

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 4029 feet (1228m)
Min Elevation: 356 feet (108m)

Elevation Gain: 120 feet (36m)
Elevation Loss: 3785 feet (1153m)


Hawaii

Course updated 07/08/2026




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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Lovely small marathon

Full Review:

Very small, low-key community feel, which is great. I had lots of nice conversations with other participants, and it felt much more communal than the bigger urban marathons I'm used to.

The race is just down the side of a highway (that they don't close traffic on), so it's not quite as scenic and bird-filled as the name implied. But you're still in Hawaii, so it's hard to complain!

Race Tips:

There weren't a ton of water stops -- my running vest broke halfway through the race, and I got pretty thirsty by the end. Also, I lost a lot of toenails after this one. Make sure your shoes have a nice roomy toe box!
Reviewed by Cynthia About 2024

Well done. Very cool.

Full Review:

Well done. Very cool. Liked early start. Terrific race director

Race Tips:

This is a quad buster so watch out it’s not as easy as it seems.
Reviewed by Anonymous About 2019