Honolulu Marathon !

We drove part way and walked down to the turning point  (about 17 miles in) where the course heads back to the finish.  The first one coming thru our position was a wheelchair athlete with a motorcycle escort and 4 bike riders with whistles to warn people.  You could hardly see the wheelchair in the dark and rain and so low to the ground.   Another wheelchair came thru, then another one, each one similarly escorted.   Then this front running pack showed up.  Weather was cool and rainy, with small buffets of wind.  We were chilled and wet waiting, imagine how these guys felt.  Women numbered 1, 2, and 5, ran by, starting about 20 minutes after the first group of men.  We stayed a little longer, but left our spot in Hawaii Kai about the time the leaders were finishing at Kapiolani Park!

Race records were set by winners Lawrence Cherono (men) and Brigid Kosgei (women).  Cherono finished in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 28 seconds, taking more than a minute off the record he set here last year. 
Kosgei's time was 2:22:14.   (All times unofficial)
Unfortunately, Dennis Kimetto, the world-record holder of the marathon,  fell off the pace early.  No reports of his time.

Masazumi Soejima won the men's wheelchair in 1:39:24.  Wheelchair women's was about 10 minutes behind.

Spectators were very light at this early hour, but we cheered and clapped as loud and long as we could.  Two women sitting near us had cow bells to ring as the runners passed by.   It was inspiring and exciting.   Kudos to members of the Honolulu Police Department for manning the route and maintaining good humor with cars and cones, walkers and runners and rain.

Bib number 1  = Lawrence Cherono  =  finished 1
Bib number 7  =  ?
Bib number 6  = Vincent Yator  = finished 3
Bib number 5  =  Titus Ekiru  = finished 4

Added  extra:  Bib F1, front running woman and first place finisher, Brigid Kosgei.   She's running alone here, out in front.  Not a good shot, but shows the escort, film truck in front, and vehicle traffic alongside.