Kapiolani Park / Diamond Head


Type: Paved
Length: 2 - 10 miles
Elev. Gain:  
Danger:  
Suitable for:  
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Description
As one Hawaii runner has put it, Kapiolani Park "has probably been trod on by more runners than any other piece of ground in Hawaii." It is heavily used in conjunction with the Honolulu Marathon. Starting in March, the Honolulu Marathon Clinic holds its training sessionss here every Sunday morning. The park also serves as the finish line for the marathon, as well as many other of Oahu's running events. There is ample parking around the park, and after your run you can enjoy a stroll through Waikiki, or cross the street to the beach and take a swim.

Distance
The distance around the perimeter of Kapiolani Park is just under 2 miles. Many runners are satisfied with this distance, or choose to run more than one lap. If running in circles is not your idea if a good time, combine this route with an exciting jaunt around Diamond Head, Oahu's most famous landmark. The Diamond Head run is about 4.8 miles.

Environment
The route around the perimeter of the park is flat and smooth. You can choose to run on the street (be careful), sidewalk, or even on the grass. If you venture on the Diamond Head run, you will encounter some hills (around the front of Diamond Head), and be running either on the street or the sidewalk. There are restrooms and water available at Kapiolani. Water is also available at Triangle Park for the Diamond Head Run. Showers are available across Kalakaua Avenue at the beach. There is a refreshment stand at the park should you work up a real appetite.

To Get There From Honolulu
Kapiolani Park is on the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. Proceed towards Diamond Head on Kalakaua Avenue and look for parking along the road in the vicinity of the Waikiki Aquarium, or loop back for meter parking alongside the park. There is also a parking lot along Monsarrat Avenue.

Suggested Route
Starting along Kalakaua, follow the perimeter of the park. Proceed toward Diamond Head on Kalakaua Avenue. Turn left on Paki Avenue. Turn left again on Monsarrat Avenue to complete the "circle."

For the Diamond Head Run, start on Kalakaua. Proceed toward Diamond Head to Diamond Head Road. Continue up the hill. Allow the beautiful ocean view to help you forget the hill you are climbing. Follow Diamond Head Road to Fort Ruger (Triangle) Park. Continue along the park, as the road turns into Kahala Avenue. There is water available at the far end of the park along Kahala Avenue. At this point you can elect to turn around and trace your steps back to the start. Or, you can continue the loop. Both options cover approximately 4.6 miles. To continue, from the water fountain, take a left onto Paikau Street, back to Diamond Head Rd. Follow Diamond Head Rd around the back of the crater. Diamond Head turns into Monserrat Avenue, which you can follow down to Kapiolani Park.

Notes
Be careful for traffic along Diamond Head Rd. And be sure to enjoy the wonderful ocean view from the crest of the hill.