Free Group Training
Great Aloha Run (GAR) In-Training sessions cover progressively longer distances and will be held every Sunday morning starting at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand beginning the Sunday after the marathon, and they will go through until the Great Aloha Run (GAR). The training sessions are free, hosted by MPRRC. Individual pace groups for walkers, walk/run, joggers, and runners will be available.
Watch this clip for more information.
MPRRC and the Hawaii Running Project (HRP) offer group training opportunities for all levels of runners and walkers. Sessions are free for everyone. Come join the fun and get fit! For full details on HRP sessions click on the button below!
The Honolulu Marathon Clinic is free for anyone who enjoys running or walking and wants to reap all the health benefits that are attendant with recreational long-distance running/walking. Groups for all paces.
Weekly clinics begin at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday morning from the second Sunday in March until the week before the Honolulu Marathon in December.
MPRRC’s Windward side training group.
Paid Coach Training
Naomi Morita, Run Akamai
Instagram: @runakamai - Strava: Naomi Morita
Coach Naomi is a lifelong recreational runner with multiple run coach certifications. She is focused on helping adult recreational runners find their "better", whether that's keeping up with (or beating) their crew, staying healthy (or recovering from injury) or striving for a big goal race. Since each runner is unique, Coach Naomi's method is through one-on-one and real-time sessions where a runner can identify key movement patterns, discover cues to improve those, and feel the sensations of better movement; these are the building blocks for creating that efficient, comfortable and successful runner. Coach Naomi's brand is "Run Akamai", reflecting her focus on skills and fun. In addition to supporting MPRRC's races and events, she runs with the following clubs:
- Run.Drink. Repeat: thursday 6:15pm
- Kaka'ako Run Club: tuesday 5:30pm
- Coach Naomi is partnered with Hawaii Running Project to build and support their plans for local races, including Ekiden, Hapalua, Hibiscus half-marathon and Honolulu Marathon
Michael Garrison, Ph.D.
Instagram: @hawaiirunninglab - Strava Group: Hawaii Running Lab
Michael’s background makes him a rare blend of avid runner, accomplished coach and passionate academic. He believes that each individual athlete is just that, an individual—with all the specialness and uniqueness that comes along with it. Michael is devoted to helping individual runners of all ages and ability levels get what they want out of their running all with a focus on athlete health and happiness. Coaching is a special endeavor that is a fantastic mixture of science and art. Once we understand the science (physiology & biomechanics), we can work together to create a plan to best help get you where you want to go.
Michael has a Ph.D. in Kinesiology and M.Ed. in Sports Management from the University of Arkansas as well as a BS in Exercise Science from the University of California at Davis.
In addition to starting Hawaii Running Lab in 2015, Michael has ten years of experience as an NCAA Division I track and field/cross country collegiate coach at the University of Arkansas, University of Maryland and University of Hawaii, two years as a high school track and field coach and one year as a collegiate cycling coach. Michael has been a competitive runner for most of his life with over 50 marathon and ultra marathon finishes. When he’s not coaching, you can find Michael chasing his daughters around and climbing the Koko Crater railway trail.
Jonathan Lyau, Personal Best Training (est. 1994)
Instagram: personalbesttraininglyau - Facebook: Personal Best Training by Jonathan Lyau
Currently trains runners to help them reach their personal goals based on their own ability, potential and age. His runners range from teens to seniors. For the past 30+ years, he has led free group workouts every Tuesday at 5:30pm.
Coaching: Since 2008 has been an assistant girls cross country coach for Iolani School. He was the distance track coach at Kamehameha Schools for 10 years. Jonathan was also the Hawaii coach for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Marathon program from 1996-2013. Director of annual Aloha Cross Country Camp for teenagers since 2009
Run accomplishments: Hawaii State high school 3200m track champion (1982). 17x Kamaaina (local born) Champion in the Honolulu Marathon. 1994 and 2002 Great Aloha Run champion. Honolulu Marathon Hall of Fame (2009). Hawaii Running Hall of Fame (2021). First and only person in Hawaii who has run a sub 3 hour marathon in 5 consecutive decades. Has run over 120,000 documented lifetime miles. At the age of 60 he won the Silver Medal in the 2024 USATF National Masters Championships in the 5000m track event (60-64 age group).
