Marathon runners often expend more than 2,000 calories so fueling up before — and after — the race is important. Looking for places to find those carbs? Aloha State Daily has you covered.
The Honolulu Marathon, which covers 26.2 scenic miles between Chinatown and Hawaiʻi Kai, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year, there are about 40,000 registered runners, as previously reported by Hawaiʻi News Now.
Carbohydrate loading, also called “carb loading” is a common practice for endurance athletes. Here are five places you can find a deal for noodles:
Zippy’s Restaurants. Looking to eat at the spot Jason Momoa says is his usual first meal on Oʻahu? This kamaʻāina favorite offers spaghetti with garlic bread and chili spaghetti with garlic bread ($9.99 for the mini spaghetti or $13.50 for the regular one). Want extra carbs? Add malasadas or sides of spam musubi, macaroni salad, rice and cornbread. Marathon runners staying in Waikīkī can find several locations nearby, including Zippy’s Maikiki, Zippy’s McCully, Zippy’s Kapahulu and Zippy’s Kaimuki. Want to try out part of the marathon route? Check out Zippy’s Kahala. Details.
Swim Restaurant + Bar. Ready for unlimited spaghetti bolognese? Swim Restaurant + Bar at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa will offer endless spaghetti bolognese with Waipoli Farms Caesar Salad on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, for a flate rate of $30. Address: 2424 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI. Details.
The Old Spaghetti Factory. Want pasta plus a chance to check out part of the marathon route? Each meal here features bread, soup or salad, and pasta, along with spumoni or vanilla ice cream for desert. Pasta options include mizithra cheese and browned butter, marinara sauce, meat sauce, mushroom sauce, white clam sauce and spicy spathetti vesuvius. Guests can also order the pot pourri with four kinds of pasta ($22.50), or the manager’s favorite with two choices of pasta (also $22.50). Located near Aloha Tower, which runners pass as part of the route for the Honolulu Marathon. Pasta choices start at $19.25. Address: 3 Aloha Tower Dr., Suite 1106, Honolulu, HI. Details.
Heavenly Island Lifestyle Waikīkī. Enjoy a free upgrade to a large pasta dish from Thursday, Dec. 11, through Saturday, Dec. 13. The deal starts at 11 a.m. daily and is available for dine-in or takeout meals. Show this Instagram post to get the special offer. Address: 342 Seaside Ave., Honolulu HI. Details.
Marugame Udon. Looking for udon noodles made on the spot? Look no futher than Marugame Udon, which has locations runners may pass during the final training runs leading up to the race. Choose from several signature bases and add a soft boiled egg or pork chashu for extra flavor. Add ons include crispy tempura. The location in Waikīkī often has a long line but the one in Chinatown is usually easier to access, outside of the lunch rush. The Nikutama bowl with udon, sweet beef and a soft boiled egg starts at $12.99 for the regular bowl and $15.49 for the large one. Address: 2310 Kūhiō Avenue, Suite 124, Honolulu, HI, 1104 Fort St. Mall, Honolulu HI. Details.
Want to go celebrate? A few fine dining pasta spots that Food & Dining Reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta has written about this year include Arancino, Taormina Sicilian Cuisine, Cino Hawaiʻi, Bernini Honolulu, Sera, and more.
Know of a budget pasta spot for marathoners that is not on our list? Send us an email: katie@alohastatedaily.com.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
