Event Overview: Honolulu Triathlon 2026
Honolulu Triathlon 2026 is confirmed for Sunday, May 17, 2026 on Oʻahu, with the race based at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu. With ocean swimming, a fast bike along Ala Moana Blvd, and a run through the park toward Kewalo Basin, it’s one of the most scenic ways to experience the island’s energy, coastline, and community spirit in a single morning.
Honolulu Triathlon 2026 Oʻahu: An Island Race Day in the Heart of Honolulu
Some triathlons feel remote and rugged. The Honolulu Triathlon feels iconic and local at the same time. You race in the Pacific, ride along Honolulu’s oceanfront roads, and run through one of the city’s most loved parks, with palm trees, sea air, and spectators who can actually see the action up close.
For travelers, this event is also a smart way to do an active island trip without needing a car-heavy itinerary. Ala Moana is central, close to Waikīkī and downtown, and the race format allows you to compete in the morning and still enjoy the beach, food, and sunset afterward.
Confirmed Date and Main Venue (Ala Moana Beach Park)
The official Honolulu Triathlon homepage confirms: “The 2026 date is set for May 17th, 2026 (SUN).” The official schedule page confirms the race starts at Ala Moana Beach Park, with transition opening early in the morning and the swim course open for warm-ups.
The schedule also confirms packet pickup and late registration take place on Saturday, May 16 at Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island. For visitors, this means Honolulu Triathlon weekend has a clear structure: Saturday for check-in and course familiarization, Sunday for race day, and plenty of time to explore Oʻahu on either side.
Race Formats and What You’ll Actually Do
Honolulu Triathlon is built to welcome a range of athletes, from first-timers to competitive racers. The official event registration listing confirms multiple event options including:
- Olympic triathlon (individual and relay)
- Sprint triathlon (individual and relay)
- Youth and junior categories
- Kids races
- An aquathlon
- A 10K run
Olympic Triathlon: Classic Triathlon on an Island
The official Olympic Triathlon page confirms the Olympic distance is 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run. It also explains the swim is a single-loop ocean course along the shore at Ala Moana Beach Park, with lifeguards and rescue support monitoring the water.
The bike course is described as being on the ocean side of Ala Moana Blvd with a turnaround under a viaduct at Lagoon Drive, with Olympic athletes doing two loops (as noted on the official page). The run course is described as closed to vehicle traffic and primarily inside Ala Moana Beach Park, with a short extension toward Kewalo Basin Harbor.
Sprint Triathlon and Other Options
The official registration listing shows Sprint categories (including individual, relay, and a corporate challenge relay), plus youth, junior, and kids categories. If you’re visiting Oʻahu and want to participate without the full Olympic-distance training load, the Sprint option is often the sweet spot for a “race vacation” that still leaves energy for island exploring afterward.
Entry Fees and Key Costs (Confirmed)
Entry fees for the May 17, 2026 event are published on the official registration platform listing, with pricing that increases closer to race day. Examples of confirmed fees include:
- Olympic Triathlon (Hawaiʻi resident): $190 early, rising to $260 closer to race day.
- Olympic Triathlon (out-of-state): $210 early, rising to $280.
- Sprint Triathlon (Hawaiʻi resident): $180 early, rising to $250.
- Sprint Triathlon (out-of-state): $200 early, rising to $270.
- 10K run: $45 early, rising to $85.
- Aquathlon: $60 early, rising to $100.
The event FAQ confirms the race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, and every participant must either have an annual USAT membership or purchase a one-day membership, with adults paying $15 and children under 17 paying $10 for the one-day membership. That’s an important budgeting detail for visitors, because it is typically paid alongside your entry fee if you don’t already have a USAT annual membership.
Registration Rules and What to Know Before You Book Flights
The official registration page confirms:
- Online registration opens Aug. 1.
- Online registration closes the Tuesday before the race (subject to change).
- On-site registration is available during packet pickup only.
- No race day registration.
The third-party registration listing also reiterates: no race day registration, with online registration closing ahead of race day and on-site registration limited to packet pickup. If you’re traveling from outside Hawaiʻi, that means you should complete registration well before you arrive, and treat Saturday packet pickup as non-negotiable.
What Makes This Triathlon Special for an Island Trip
A Course That’s Easy to Spectate
Because the swim is along the shore and the run stays largely in and around Ala Moana Beach Park, supporters can watch without needing to drive all over the island. That makes it a strong pick for family travel, friend groups, and first-time racers who want familiar faces nearby.
Honolulu Landmarks Built Into Your Race Weekend
Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island are major local hangouts, and the run’s extension toward Kewalo Basin Harbor adds a classic Honolulu waterfront feel. After the finish, you can cool down with a walk by the water, then head toward Waikīkī or Kakaʻako for food and coffee.
Practical Travel Tips for Honolulu Triathlon 2026
Where to Stay
If you want the easiest race morning, stay near Ala Moana or the Waikīkī edge closest to Ala Moana Blvd. It reduces pre-dawn transport stress and makes it easier to return to your room quickly after the finish.
Getting Around on Race Weekend
Race mornings start early, and parking can be limited near popular parks. Plan to walk, use rideshare, or park farther away and arrive early.
What to Pack
- Ocean swim essentials and anti-chafe products, because saltwater and humidity can be unforgiving.
- A light layer for the early morning transition window.
- Sun protection for spectators and athletes alike.
Verified Information at a Glance
Item: Confirmed details
Event name: Honolulu Triathlon 2026
Event category: Triathlon event weekend (Olympic and Sprint triathlon plus relay and running options)
Confirmed race dates: May 16–17, 2026 (packet pickup May 16; race day May 17)
Confirmed race day: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Confirmed location: Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Oʻahu
Olympic distance (confirmed): 1500m swim / 40K bike / 10K run
Entry fee examples (confirmed): Olympic: $190–$280 depending on resident status and timing; Sprint: $180–$270; 10K run: $45–$85; Aquathlon: $60–$100.
Membership/insurance fee (confirmed): USAT one-day membership: $15 adults, $10 under 17 (if no annual membership).
Registration rules (confirmed): Online registration opens Aug 1; closes Tuesday before race (subject to change); on-site at packet pickup only; no race day registration.
If you want an Oʻahu trip in 2026 that blends ocean adventure with a true local Honolulu morning, plan for May 16–17, base yourself near Ala Moana, and join the Honolulu Triathlon community on May 17 to swim in the Pacific, ride the island’s waterfront roads, and run through Ala Moana’s palm-lined paths before celebrating your finish with the beach and the city right at your doorstep.
