Sinclaire Johnson Sets New American Road Mile Record, Highlighting JAL Honolulu Marathon Weekend; Weldlibanos and Hauger-Thackery Claim Marathon Glory
The 2025 running season concluded dramatically in Hawaii, where the JAL Honolulu Marathon weekend delivered both world-class speed and hard-fought endurance. The event was bookended by a historic American record in the mile and commanding victories in the marathon, offering rich content for runners and fans following late-season road racing.
Record-Breaking Speed: Sinclaire Johnson Dominates Kalakaua Merrie Mile
The weekend's running narrative began on Saturday with the Kalakaua Merrie Mile, where American middle-distance runner Sinclaire Johnson delivered a sensational performance. Johnson not only secured the overall victory in the unique mixed-gender pursuit race but also set a new national benchmark.
Johnson’s winning time of 4:21.66 shattered the previous American Road Mile Record of $4:23.98$. This performance instantly positioned her as a major contender on the global road racing scene, as her time stands as the second-fastest road mile ever run by a woman worldwide.
The pursuit format saw the elite women receive a 31-second head start. Johnson maximized this advantage, running a strategically flawless race to hold off the charging men's field, led by World Indoor 800m Champion Josh Hoey, who registered the fastest men’s gun time of 3:54.77. Johnson's victory confirmed her phenomenal late-season fitness heading into the new year.
The Marathon: Weldlibanos and Hauger-Thackery Conquer Tropical Grind
The main event on Sunday, the full 26.2-mile marathon, tested the tenacity of over 28,000 participants. Runners faced challenging conditions, including periods of rain and high humidity, making both the men's and women's victories highly earned.
Men's Division: Weldlibanos Takes Control
The men's race featured a tight field, with the Eritrean contingent proving strongest. Tsegay Weldlibanos timed his move perfectly, managing to drop his formidable countryman and rival, two-time defending champion Yemane Haileselassie, in the late stages.
Weldlibanos secured his first major marathon title with a winning time of 2:13:41. Haileselassie followed in second with 2:14:30, while Kenya’s Patrick Ketter Kiplagat completed the podium in 2:14:56. The finish underscored the Eritrean dominance in this specific marathon event.
Women's Division: Hauger-Thackery’s Resilient Strategy
In the women’s elite field, Great Britain's Calli Hauger-Thackery utilized her marathon experience to deliver a commanding strategic win. Competing against two-time defending champion Cynthia Limo, Hauger-Thackery remained patient through the initial stages before pressing the pace in the final miles.
Hauger-Thackery crossed the finish line in 2:30:44 for the victory. Limo finished second in 2:31:35, and Eunice Chumba of Bahrain secured third in 2:35:39. Hauger-Thackery emphasized the importance of the win, stating the race served to rebuild her confidence after a demanding racing year.
The Honolulu Marathon weekend successfully combined world-class performances in both the mile and the marathon, offering key insights into the fitness of top global athletes as the focus now shifts toward the spring major marathon season.
