2015 Honolulu Marathon - 12/13/2015

Wow..It's been 5 months since i last posted? I finally decided to get a new lens (and a new camera..that's for later). I decided to try it out for the Marathon today. It was HOT with very little wind.  According to the news there were some 22,000 who raced today.  Every year, I meet my friend at the finish line and I usually get there just before 9am.  
With the 24-105mm lens, I didn't have to get too close to the shower area with the finish line banner in the back ground.  

This year they seem to have new venues.

There's usually a huge balloon above finisher T-shirt tent.

All of the winners have finished way before I get there.

This year, there's a new large TV screen that plays the video of the finish line.  What's cool is that this is a 30 minute delay so after you finish, as you head to get your shirt, you can watch yourself cross the finish line.   A lot of people had gathered there to take pic w/ their cell phone and cheer for their runners..

The Japanese tour companies have large tents and venues just for their participants.

Finishers can pick up some refreshments.  I think this is the first time I've seen bagels being offered.  

For as long as I've been to the marathon, they've always offered runners malasadas.. it smells really good.. and often times I've wanted to walk up to get one too.

The production of malasadas is serious business.. there is a production line under the tent with people prepping the malasadas.

There are hundreds of them already shaped and ready to be fried..

In recent years, there has been increase security.  When I first started going to the marathon, I was able to get to the finish line to see people cross, but now, it's been fenced off to all, except local traffic. I also saw a police w/ a dog at the finish area and definitely more police presence.

As I walked home I finally got a chance to read these signs I saw someone put up a few days ago. There is certainly more security since the Boston Marathon incident.  My friend finished the race in 4:14:22 and we were happy to see him at the designate meeting place as he was happy to see us having finished the race.  All in all, it was a good day, and good shooting w/ my new lens.