Peacock Challenge 55 Mile Run Information

This plan outlines important information for runners entered into the Peacock Challenge 55 (PC 55) on 10/20/2018.

Description of Event:

The PC 55, brought to you by the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team (HURT, “Run Management”), is an extremely difficult event designed for the most adventurous and well-prepared runner (this is not an entry level ultrarun event). Conducted on trails located in the Kuaokala Forest Reserve Area above the Dillingham Airfield (Waialua, Hawai‘i), the race is noted for its grueling terrain with steep climbs/descents, and heat and humidity (occasional rain), all within a uniquely scenic course high above Northwest O’ahu, offering breathtaking views of the majestic blue coastline of the Pacific Ocean.

Due to the extreme nature of the course, distance, and climate, participants must have completed an official trail ultrarun (documented results via Ultrasignup) of at least 50- kilometers within the past 2 years (after June 1, 2016) as documented on Ultrasignup.com.

• HURT will monitor those who have registered who don’t have the qualifying standard on a case-by-case basis. Inclusion into the run does not imply that HURT feels said runner is prepared for the event. Please refer to the waiver at Ultrasignup.com before registering and ensure you meet the conditions stated before applying for this event. Runner will not be accepted without an electronically signed waiver.
• The course is remote and very difficult. Course cutoffs have been established for the safety of the runner and will be strictly enforced. Keeping with the tradition of the HURT 100, and the HURT Trail Series, this event is designed to be a low-key event.
• PC 55 is a pre-registration event. There is no lottery, or a wait list. Acceptance or denial into the event will be sent to each entrant (following validation of documentation of previous ultrarunning experience). Once the qualifying event is verified, an email will be sent to the registrant to confirm the intent to register. A ten-day window will be allowed to confirm intent to register and pay the entry fee, if registrant does not confirm registration and pay the entry fee, said runner will not be placed into the event. Since there is a runner limit of 75 for the event there are no race refunds or rollover of registration to the next year once runner is selected into the event and the credit card on file has been
  charged.
• Registration for the event opens on 6/2/2018 and promptly closes on 10/6/2018 at UltraSignup.
• The event will be limited to 75 participants.

Event Overview:

• Approximately 55-57 miles over two identical laps run in the same direction (27.5 miles/lap).
• Approximately 12,500 feet of elevation gain/loss for the entire event (6250 feet per lap).
• 76% single-track trail, 24% asphalt road (Mokuleia Access Road / AKA Long Road).
• Terrain consists of mostly packed soil surface generously interspersed with rocks, puddles and mud wallows (many more if raining). Sections of trail pass through forest, along exposed ridges and past vertical embankments.
• 17-hour time limit for the event (completion time), an 8-hour (2:00 pm) cutoff will be employed after the first lap at Dillingham Airfield. (See course cutoff times later in the document).

Course Description:

• From Start/Finish line at Dillingham Airfield up Kealia Trail
• Turn right onto Kuaokala Access Road, proceeding on the road to the Satellite Tracking station.
• Leave the Satellite Tracking aid station and onto Kuaokala Trail, continue on the trail until Three Way aid station
• Turn right onto Kuaokala access road and continue towards Peacock Flats
• Continue down from Peacock Flats on Mokuleia Access Road (Long Road) to the Long Road aid station.
• Turn around at Long Road aid station and proceed back up Mokuleia Access Road to Peacock Flats
• After Peacocks Flats turn right onto Kuaokala Access Road and proceed back to the Three Way aid station.
• Leave the Three Way aid station on Kuaokala Access Road turning right onto Kealia Trail
• Return to Start/Finish line to complete lap 1 and begin lap 2.
• Surveyor tape will be utilized to mark the course. Leg 1 will be marked with white tape, leg 2 will be marked with lime tape, and leg 3 will be marked with orange tape.

Course Map:

Click here for a printable copy of the map.

Aid Stations:

There will be a minimum of 3 aid stations over the 55-mile course (2 x 27.5 repeating laps). Weather permitting there will be a 4th aid station (marked by ** below).

1. Start-Finish below the Kealia Trail trailhead, also known as the “Start / Finish Line” (27.5 miles / 55 miles).
2. Satellite Tracking Station Parking Lot (7 miles / 37.7 miles),
3. **Three Way Aid Station (Junction of Kuaokala Trail and Kuaokala Access Road) (9.5 miles / 37.2 miles)
4. Long Road Aid Station (Junction of Farrington Highway and Mokuleia Access Road) (17 miles / 45 miles)

• Please note all distances are approximate taken from 3 different runners with 3 different GPS watches.

The purpose of the aid stations is to supplement the nutritional needs of the runners as well as to provide for emergency evacuation. For runners with unique nutritional requirements/allergies, you are asked to pack your own supplies. Location of aid stations may vary depending on weather, however, runners will be informed on race day, if not before, of any changes.

Runner Requirements:

• Each runner is required to sign in on the morning of the event so that race officials can ascertain who is actually on the course and to get their race number.
• If you wish to drop out of the race you need to notify the Race Director/Aid Station Captain before leaving the course. This is a mandatory requirement of each participant. If there are any runners unaccounted for, we have their contact phone to determine their location. If we cannot locate you, or you leave the race without notifying management; a search and rescue will be initiated at the cost of the runner.
• Check in and out of each aid station for tracking/safety purposes.
• Runners are required to complete the course in the direction described following the course marking. Short cutting the course is means for disqualification.
• Trekking (hiking) poles are not permitted to be used on the course by either runner or their pacer.
• Runners are required to use the portable toilets at the start/finish line. No exceptions, you are not permitted to use the Dillingham Airfield facilities, such action will limit the ability of this run to continue in the future.
• Park only in the designated parking area. On race morning you will be directed where to park. Once again, DO NOT PARK AT DILLINGHAM AIRFIELD. Please be a good steward in this effort. Do not park on the grass area next to the start/finish line. Runners, make sure you inform your pacers accordingly.
• The Dillingham Airfield closes at sundown. We need to work with security after sundown to allow egress out of the gate. We have been advised that approximately every 30 minutes, security will be exiting the gate, and will let our runners out. Please plan accordingly. No special accommodations will be made. Remember, we are all guests at this event.
• Each registered runner will have an assigned number. During the race, this number must be displayed on the front of the body.
• Follow the race rules, and obey instructions from the safety patrol, course marshals, and aid station captains.
• Be kind and courteous to race day volunteers. 
• Race management (inclusive of aid station captains,  and safety patrol volunteers) reserves the right to remove any runner from the course if it is deemed unsafe for the runner to continue.
• Runners must stay on the main trail. The following are mandated directives from the State of Hawaii. “Runners are required to stay on the main trail, and are not permitted to step or run on any portion of the slopes immediately adjacent to the trail bed. Kealia Trail is home to two unique and endangered Hawaiian plant species; Bidens amplectens (ko’oko’olau) and Schiedea kealiae (ma’oli’oli) that grow on the slope areas next to the trail. Runners must stay on the relatively flat portion of the trail that constitutes the main trail bed (i.e., no stepping or running on any portion of the adjacent slopes/soil banks along the trail) in order to prevent any kind of harm to theses plants and their habitat. Damage or destruction of any of these plants along Kealia Trail by racers would constitute a “take” of an endangered species under Hawaii State Law (Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13, Chapter 107) and the responsible party will be penalized as provided by the law (Hawaii Revised Statutes 195D). A “take” of an endangered plant species means “to cut, collect, uproot, destroy, injure, or possess native endangered or threatened species of plants, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” Oahu DOFAW staff will survey Kealia Trail the afternoon prior to the race to note the condition of the individual endangered plants along the trail and immediately following the conclusion of the race to determine if any of the endangered plants were harmed by race activities.”

  PICTURE WITH DESCRIPTION SHOWN BELOW:

  

Runner Recommendations:

• Please carry a minimum of 50 ounces of fluid when leaving each aid station. Up until race day (dependent on weather) we may not have an aid station at the three way. Race management will inform you on race day as to the extent of aid at the three way. Be prepared for the worst case scenario.
• Carry a flashlight and a backup light at all times, additional batteries are also recommended.
• Carry your cell phone at all times. If you are in need of immediate assistance or need to drop out from the race please call Freddy Halmes at (808) 218-1577. Please create an entry in your phone with his number prior to the start of the race.
• Carry a copy of the course map with you at all times.

Cut-Off Times:

The official finish time is 11:00 pm, (17 hours); those finishing after 11:00 pm (17 hours) will not be recognized as an official finisher at the PC 55, despite making the previous cut-off times at the various aid stations on the course. Cut-off times are described as the time the runner exits the aid station, once a runner leaves an aid station they cannot then return to the same aid station at the same locale and continue on, if it is beyond the cut-off time.

• First lap 8 hours at Start/Finish line (2:00 pm)
• Second lap at upper three way aid station (after the satellite tracking station) (5:45 pm)
• Second lap at long road aid station 7:30 pm
• Finish line 11:00 pm

Note, that all times are under normal running conditions and that race management may push back the cut-off times on race day under certain circumstances. Information will be provided at the race brief prior to the event as to the cut-offs.

Items To Know:

• Check in on race morning will be at 5:00 am. Runners will receive their run number at this time.
• Pacers are allowed at the beginning of the second lap (@ 27.5 miles). Pacers may only start from the Start / Finish station and must come off the course when/if their runner drops out of the event. HURT and PC 55, assume no responsibility for pacers in this event. Pacers in this event will not be tracked. Pacers must enter/exit each aid station with their runner. Pacers are not allowed to enter/exit aid station prior to runner to refill supplies for their runner. Pacers are encouraged to utilize the aid stations for their nutritional needs, once the pacer begins their duty with their runner.
• Pacers will not be able to “mule” for the runner. Muling includes; but is not limited to, supplying the runner with water, food, or any mechanical help that might allow the runner to finish the event.
• Pacers must abide by the same rules as the runners. It is the responsibility of the runner to make sure their pacer knows the rules.
• Race management will not provide any electrolyte tablets (Salt/Potassium), medications (NSAIDS, etc.) to the runners. Please plan accordingly.
• There are no medical personnel on hand to care for you.
• An electrolyte drink supplied at the aid stations (TBD).  Other drinks will be available and the food offered at the main aid stations (Long Road, Start/Finish) will be standard ultrarun items. If you need/require specific nutritional items please pack them in your drop bags.
• Drop bags will be accepted on race morning. Each entrant can have 2 bags; Start/Finish and Long Road. Mark your bags as either Start/Finish or Long Road. Please pack according to what you will need at each station, waterproof bags are recommended. Please mark each bag with aid station location, your last name, and your run number.
• A roving safety patrol will be utilized. If you accept aid from the safety patrol it will be considered an act of muling and you will be pulled at the next aid station. However, you can accept fluids, nutritional needs from a fellow runner, an action which will not be interpreted as muling.

Medical Concerns and Runner Safety:

• Dehydration is the most common medical problem for endurance athletes 
  • It is recommended each runner carry a minimum of 50 ounces of fluid when leaving each aid station.
• Hypothermia may be a problem if it rains during the event.
• Traumatic injuries can occur since the trail is often rocky and rooted. Runners have been warned of the slippery nature of the trail and should run accordingly.

Parking:

The Dillingham Airfield Manager has allowed parking; it will be in the field adjacent to the Start. A marshal will be there to direct parking, please park where directed. Spectators and pacers will be directed to the same area. It is important that runners, crews, spectators and pacers park in our designated area. The run has been asked to not allow our participants to park in the Dillingham Airfield parking. Carpooling is highly recommended.

Closing Comment:

The DLNR of the State of Hawaii and the Dillingham Airfield Manager have granted us access to this venue. Throughout the years HURT has built a very trusting environment with the State of Hawaii and other entities. Infringement of race rules by runners or pacers and any action which could jeopardize the event (including actions by runners, pacers and support crew) will be taken seriously and may result in a ban from future HURT events. 

Registration:

And if you still wish to run it after reading this entire document, then click here to register.