HONOLULU (Island News) – More than 35,000 participants are expected this weekend for the 52nd annual Honolulu Marathon, energizing Oahu.

Local hotels and many other companies benefit from this.

Henry Perez, general manager of the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, told Island News: “Our hotel is sold out. I spoke to my colleagues and all the hotels in Waikiki were almost sold out. The biggest thing we’re seeing is the Japanese guests.” “The Asian guests are coming back, which is great.”

“It’s going to be a fantastic year for the marathon, we’re better than 2019,” Perez added.

This tends to be one of the quietest times in Hawaii as people prepare for the holidays. The introduction of the marathon contributes to the city being sold out.

Marathon registration numbers are reportedly up 25% compared to last year.

Hilton guest and marathon participant Irene Sawyer of Fresno, California, said: “We’ve been planning this for a year but booked again in October. There are no problems here.”

Meanwhile, the biggest challenge for the hotel may lie in the restaurant.

“People want to eat carbohydrates the night before. Saturday night is usually a big dinner night—It’s a pasta evening. We just need to change our menus a little to get everyone carbs,” Perez said.

With multiple races scheduled, the 26.2-mile course begins with fireworks at 5 a.m. Sunday on Ala Moana Blvd.

You can still register in person at the Honolulu Marathon Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m