What the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon Is
The 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon and 5K is the road race of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. It is held on festival Saturday, November 14, 2026, and finishes with a cup of Kona coffee. The half marathon starts at 6:00 a.m. at Coconut Grove Marketplace, 75-5807 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona; the 5K starts at 6:15 a.m. Walkers are welcome in the half marathon, and the course is capped at a limited field.
Distances and Fees
| Race | Start | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|
| Half marathon | 6:00 a.m. | $120 |
| 5K | 6:15 a.m. | $50 |
Both prices rise after 11:59 p.m. HST on November 11, 2026. Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Register through RunSignUp, or find details at purekonahalf.com.
How Race Weekend Works
- Friday, November 13: Packet pickup runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of Big Island Running Company at Coconut Grove Marketplace. A friend may pick up your packet. Late registration is in person at the same spot and runs until the limited slots are gone.
- Saturday, November 14, 6:00 a.m.: Half marathon start. The 5K follows at 6:15 a.m.
- Finish: Every runner receives a finisher's coffee mug rather than a traditional medal. Results are posted in real time at jtltiming.com.
The Course
Both races run on Alii Drive beside the Pacific. The half marathon is an out-and-back road course heading south to the Pit at the End of the World, a cliff on the island's western edge, then returning to Coconut Grove. The route passes beaches, parks and neighborhoods. Expect rolling hills, including a climb of nearly 200 feet in the mile or so before the turnaround and a matching descent on the way back. The 5K is mostly flat with a few rolling hills.
- Aid stations: four on the half marathon course, each passed twice because of the out-and-back layout; one on the 5K. HIDrate is the official course hydration.
- Pacers: available for 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20 and 2:30 finishes.
- Time limit: four hours for the half marathon; runners must finish by 10:00 a.m. for their time to count.
- Entertainment: DJ Henny plays at the Pit, with cheer zones there and at Laaloa Beach Park.
Weather and Logistics
Starting temperatures may be as low as 70 F, climbing to the mid-80s by 10 a.m., so hydrate well beforehand. There is no bag drop. Parking at Coconut Grove Marketplace is limited; parking is validated for five hours on race day, and carpooling or arriving early is recommended.
After the Race
The same Saturday, the festival's Ho'olaule'a runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Makaeo Pavilion, with entertainment, food, exhibits and farmers sampling their coffee. The festival's Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony follows on Sunday, November 15.
Questions
Can I walk it?
Yes, walkers are permitted, but you must finish within the four-hour limit.
Do I get a medal?
No. Finishers receive a coffee mug.
Can I register on race weekend?
Late registration is in person on Friday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until the field is full.
Can I get a refund?
No. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Official Links
- RunSignUp registration: dates, fees and start times
- Race FAQ: packet pickup, aid stations, pacers, parking
- Course description
- Kona Coffee Cultural Festival: festival schedule
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Hawaii's oldest food festival, founded in 1970, with farm tours, a cupping competition, a lantern parade and a quilt and fiber arts show across Kona. The 55th festival runs November 6-15, 2026.
- Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Annual Meeting and Convention
Statewide ranchers' gathering of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Kohala Coast; registration for the 2026 meeting had closed.
Waikoloa Beach, HI | Organizer: Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Official event details - Panaewa Stampede Rodeo
Two-day paniolo heritage rodeo at the Panaewa Equestrian Center in Hilo, with local vendors and family entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates were February 14-15, 2026.
Hilo, HI | Organizer: Hawaii Horse Owners Official event details - Kau Coffee Festival
Seventeenth annual week of Kau coffee events: plantation house open house, recipe contest, a Coffee and Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm and a free ho'olaulea. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 14-20, 2026.
Pahala, HI | Organizer: Kau Coffee Festival Official event details - Big Island 4-H Livestock County Show
Hawaii Island 4-H youth show steers, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and poultry at the Brian Anderson Arena in Honokaa before the state show. Held each year; the most recent date was June 20, 2026.
Honokaa, HI | Organizer: University of Hawaii CTAHR / Hawaii 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.