The Kalakaua Merrie Mile is part of the Honolulu Marathon weekend events. I did the marathon last weekend, but on the day before, my wife and I walked the "Merrie Mile".
The Marathon is the big deal for the city on marathon weekend, with some 25k+ runners and walkers. It is one of the big ones. The Merrie Mile is a very cool event of its own. A one mile race--an out and back on the main drag of Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue. This street parallels the beach and the big ticket hotels, as well as all sorts of restaurants and mid to high end retail stores.
Good vibes, all the way, with lots of music. People can corral at the front and run their best mile, or hang at the back with the people in dinosaur and Pokemon costumes, and walk it out. We were in the latter crowd, and had a great time. At the finish line, medal, coconut water and malasadas, on the beach.
After the regular crowd finishes, the event holds a prize money mile race for elites. The elite women are given a head start--29 seconds, I think. The elite men then chase. A man was the winner--the results are reported in the news, but they all flew. Matt Centrowitz, the gold medal 1500 winner, was in the group. Both sides of the street were lined with participants cheering. Good way to start the Saturday morning.
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