A sea of runners, the size of a small city, pounded rainy Honolulu streets yesterday where they broke personal records and overcame challenges large and small.

Had there not been a good Samaritan on the side of the road at mile 15 of the 2008 JAL Honolulu Marathon, Christina Teramura wouldn't have been able to finish the race. She lost the soles of her shoes and was running on socks and insoles, until Jackie Garvener answered her call for "anyone with shoes."

"I'm so thankful to her," said Teramura, 32. "These shoes are a size too big and a size too wide, but I am happy to have them."

The 26-mile extravaganza had 20,302 people who started the race this year. And 20,058 of them finished. More than half of the participants were from Japan. A little more than an hour into the race along the midpoint at mile 14, a group of five elite runners flew by on a whisper, barely making a sound as their shoes slapped the slick pavement. Few supporters were out at that hour, and an army of volunteers waited with cups and sponges and medical supplies, while the rain pelted.

The top five male runners finished the marathon in under 2 hours and 30 minutes during the 26th annual event. Patrick Ivuti, of Kenya, finished first at 2:14:35. The first female runner to finish was Kiyoko Shimahara, of Tokyo, at 2:32:36.

But the Honolulu Marathon, also known as the people's marathon, is not just about the elite runners. It's also about regular folks on personal quests.

Like Gladys Burrill, 90, a great-grandmother. She was on a record pace for her 90-94 age group through 24 miles, but became ill. Medical personnel advised her not to finish but when she felt better she went to the finish line to greet friends, family members and congratulate finishers. She dedicated her race to her husband of 69 years, who died just three days ago.

Maya Soetoro-Ng, president-elect Barack Obama's sister, started the race with Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Japan Airlines president Haruka Nishimatsu.

All along the race course, supporters with bullhorns, signs, whistles and clackers spurred on the runners. Even when the rain pelted down they did so from under slickers and umbrellas. As the sun came out, their numbers grew.

One of these supporters was Rich Hofacker, who was waiting for his daughter, who was running in her second marathon.

"She should be here in 112 minutes," said Hofacker, who came from Alaska. "The runners don't mind this weather, it's way better than 75 to 80 degree weather."

Cole Nagata sat on his mom's lap with a handmade cardboard sign for Uncle Toby. Cole, age 6, was sleepy but excited by the sheer number of runners filling the two lanes of Kilauea Avenue.

"I don't know where my uncle is," said Cole. "I haven't seen him yet. I didn't know there would be so many runners."

At Kahala, former nine-time Honolulu marathoner Candes Meijide Gentry, and her husband, came out to support their friends.

"It's fun to be out here to support everyone," Gentry said as she cheered on runners at the 22-mile mark. "Every year there's different conditions. The worst is when it's really hot and humid and the air is heavy."

Overall the conditions for the Honolulu Marathon, known for keeping the race course open until the last runner comes across the finish line, were pretty good, said Jim Barahal, marathon president. The rain hindered many at the start, but as it abated by 8 a.m., it kept the temperature cooler, Barahal said.

"We'll be here all day," Barahal said. "The first runners came in at 7:14 a.m. and the last runner will come in about 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. I don't rest easy until the last finisher is in."

At the finish line at Kapi'olani Park, runners raised their arms over their heads as they crossed the finish line. Some had smiles. Some grimaces. And some even cried.

And all had to fight the muddy mess that became Kapi'olani Park as they made their way around to booths and to pick up their T-shirts.

Anna Hinz, a 7-year-old Kailua resident, was tired of the mud and the mess. She was waiting for her dad, who had just finished the race and was picking up his T-shirt.

"He was all wet," Anna said. "He was sweaty. We're proud of him because he did a really good job."

Anna's dad, Jake, felt good about the whole thing.

"It wasn't a bad race. I finished in the 3:55 range," Hinz said. "Not bad with 3-pound shoes after it rained."