The Honolulu Marathon Association on April 10 held the 2016 Hapalua (http://thehapalua.com), Hawaii's half marathon, drawing an all-time high of  7,653  participants.

Images: http://www.image.net/hapalua2016

Since its launch in 2012, the Hapalua (meaning "half" in Hawaiian) has become a popular competition with marathoners, as well as beginners not yet ready for a marathon and runners working their way up to the challenge of the full 26 miles.

Among the most scenic half marathons in the world, the Hapalua's 13.1-mile course takes runners through Waikiki to downtown Honolulu and back, finishing with a loop around stunning Diamond Head toward Kapiolani Park.

There is no time limit for the Hapalua. Just like the Honolulu Marathon, the Hapalua welcomes walkers and the fastest runners alike. Participants can take their time to enjoy running or walking in beautiful surroundings.

The race is highlighted by its unique "chase" format. The best local runners from Hawaii get a head start on some of the top professional runners in the world. The elite pros chase down the local runners in a race to the finish line. This year, 22 local runners were divided into six groups, each with different head-start handicaps. These competitors were then pursued by four professional "chasers": Erick Kibet Kogo (Kenya), Patrick Makau (Kenya), Ryotaro Otani (Japan) and Isabella Ochichi (Kenya).

Isabella Ochichi won the race and was the fastest woman overall (1 hours 10 minutes 37 seconds).

The 44th annual Honolulu Marathon will begin at 5 a.m. on December 11, 2016. The Honolulu Marathon is the fourth largest marathon in the U.S., attracting around 30,000 participants each December.

There is no cut-off time for the marathon, which, along with its scenic beauty and the Aloha Spirit on the course, helps attract a wide range of competitors, from the experienced and fast runners to beginners, children and the elderly.

Learn more about Honolulu Marathon 2016: http://www.honolulumarathon.org/

Source: Honolulu Marathon Association