Hapalua Half-Marathon Drawing More Participants

This past weekend, the Hapalua Half-Marathon celebrated its third annual race and attracted a total of 4,462 participants, a significant increase from the 2,900 runners that they had last year. The race starts in Waikiki, goes to downtown Honolulu, doubles back towards Waikiki, goes around Diamond Head, and finishes at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.  The Hapalua Half-Marathon generates an estimated $2.5 million in direct and indirect spending in Hawaii and generates about $40,000 for local charities.  Jim Barahal, the even organizer has high hopes for increasing the size of the Hapalua in the near future.  Barahal stated, "If you look at the world of running, the fastest growing event by far are the half-marathons. We wanted to create a world-class, destination event that would bring people from other places to Hawaii and create a broad base of community involvement by raising money for local causes." Barahal added, "Our partners with the Honolulu Marathon and our ad agency were made aware of Hapalua from its inception. Once we started to demonstrate the event's growth and the quality of the experience, we were able to bring in two of our marathon sponsors, Japan Airlines and MUFG, a large credit card sponsor. This is a critical step considering that their influences and reach is enormous and by putting their sponsorship to the event, they are giving their stamp of approval."

President and CEO for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Mike McCartney added, "The draw of the Hawaiian Islands and the growing interest in the shorter half-marathon will help to attract visitors to the state during the traditionally slower spring shoulder period. If you think about the numbers that we are seeing now, Hapalua could over the next couple of decades turn into an event that also attracts 25,000 to 30,000 people."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-16-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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