The 2025 Kalakaua Merrie Mile takes place Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Honolulu. The race features twelve Olympians and ten athletes from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo competing for prize money.
You can watch free live stream coverage of the unique road race format, which begins at 7:00 AM Hawaii time (12:00 pm ET) on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel and the Honolulu Marathon YouTube channel. The elite race starts around 7:45 AM local time (12:45 pm ET).
Prize Money and Unique Format
The winner receives $10,000 in a winner-take-all format. Second place earns $5,000, third place gets $3,000, fourth place receives $1,500, and fifth place wins $1,000. The top finisher from the second gender category receives an additional $2,500.
The race uses a gender chase format. Women start with a 31-second head start. The first runner to cross the finish line wins, regardless of gender.
Read More: Sinclaire Johnson Set To Test Fitness At Kalakaua Merrie Mile
A $10,000 bonus is available for breaking the world record. The current men’s road mile world record is 3:51.30, set by Elliot Giles of Great Britain in Dusseldorf on September 1, 2024. The women’s world record stands at 4:20.98, set by Diribe Welteji of Ethiopia in Riga on October 1, 2023.
Elite Field
The professional field includes four current world champions. USA’s Yared Nuguse is among the international medalists who are hoping to secure the title. American mile record holder Sinclaire Johnson will race in the women’s category, and she is expected to be challenged by previous national record holder Nikki Hiltz, who has competed in this event in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Other notable athletes include Neil Gourley from Great Britain, Oliver Hoare from Australia, and Nico Young from the United States. Susan Ejore-Sanders of Kenya, Weini Kelati, and Nozomi Tanaka of Japan round out the international competitors.
Additional American runners include Hobbs Kessler, Donavan Brazier, Emily Mackay, and Heather MacLean.
Course Details
World Athletics has verified the out-and-back course on Kalakaua Avenue. This certification means world records, area records, and national records set during the race will be officially recognized.
The event begins with a community mile open to runners of all ages and abilities. About 2,000 participants run and walk in the mass event before the elite race.
The race takes place on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. A beach party follows the competition.
