The Kalakaua Merrie Mile 2026 (KMM), held in Honolulu, is set for Saturday 12 December. Even though the track season is coming to an end, the organisers say they are stepping up for this edition.
The race is set to offer the biggest first prize for a mile on the road in the United States, with $15,000 for the winner. On top of that amount, $20,000 bonuses are planned for the top finishers in the men’s and women’s categories if they set world records.
The president of the Honolulu Marathon Association, Dr Jim Barahal, links this rise in prize money to the KMM’s sporting status: he cites a world-class competition ambition, which brings together some of the best athletes and puts Hawaii in the international spotlight.
On the question of the format and performances, the KMM specifies a “chase” format: the elite women go off with a predetermined advantage over the elite men (31 seconds in 2025), and the prize payments are made according to the overall finishing order, combining men and women.
Finally, the organisers also provide the event schedule details: the KMM serves as a warm-up race for the JAL Honolulu Marathon and the Start to Park 10-K the next day. They also note that many runners choose to run the mile on Saturday and then the marathon or 10-K on Sunday.
