Peacock Challenge 27.5-mile Run Information

Date: October 14, 2023
Start Time: 7:00 am
Race Director: Freddy Halmes

This plan outlines important information for runners entered into the PC 27.5 Mile Run on October 14, 2023.

Description of Peacock Challenge 27.5

The PC, brought to you by the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team (HURT, Inc.), is an extremely difficult event designed for the most adventurous and well-prepared runner (this is not an entry-level ultra run event). Conducted on trails located in the Kuaokala Forest Reserve Area above the Dillingham Airfield (Waialua, Hawai‘i), the race is noted for its extreme 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.

There are no pre qualifying requirements for runners entering the PC 27.5-mile event. However, successful completion of the PC 27.5 within the race cutoff time, may then be used as a qualifying event for the PC 55-mile race moving forward.

The course is remote and is very difficult. Course cutoffs have been established for the safety of the runner and will be strictly enforced.
Keeping with the tradition of the HURT100 and the HURT Trail Series, this event is designed to be a low-key event.
PC 27.5 is a pre-registration event. There is no lottery nor a waitlist. An entry will not be accepted without an electronically signed waiver. Scroll up to register.
There are no race refunds or rollover of the registration fee to the next year’s event. Once a runner registers for the event, their credit card will be charged, and no refunds will be permitted.
Bib transfers are not permitted. Movement, once registered, from one distance to the other distance is also not permitted.
Registration closes on 10/9/2023 (11:30 pm HST). The requested T-shirt size will not be guaranteed if registered after 9/17/2023.
The event is limited to 50 participants. This is a hard cap.

Event Overview

The course is approximately 27.5 miles starting and finishing at Dillingham Airfield.
Approximately 6,250 feet of elevation gain/loss over the course.
76% single-track trail, 24% asphalt road (Mokuleia Access Road / AKA Long Road).
The terrain consists of mostly packed soil surface generously interspersed with rocks, puddles and mud wallows (many more if raining). Sections of the trail pass through the forest, along exposed ridges, and past vertical embankments.
Start time is at 7 am. The official cut-off time at the finish is 6:30 pm (11.5 hours), with a cutoff time of 1:30 pm (6.5 hours) at the Long Road Aid Station. 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.
PC 27.5 is a cupless race. There will be no cups at aid stations. Runners are advised to plan on bringing their own bottle or collapsible cup.
Note that there will be another event on the same day with entrants completing two loops of the course to complete the PC 55-mile run.

Course Description

From Start/Finish at Dillingham Airfield, go 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 the 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 Peacock 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 to complete the race.

Course Map

Download the map to your GPS-enabled phone to locate yourself on the map even while offline. Click the button below for instructions.
Or click on the map’s image below to download a printable copy of the course map.

How to Download Map to Your Phone

Aid Stations

There will be a minimum of 3 aid stations over the 27.5-mile course. Weather permitting there will be a 4th & 5th aid station (marked by * below).

Start-Finish below the Kealia Trail trailhead, also known as the “Start / Finish Line” (0 miles and 27.5 miles).
Satellite Tracking Station Parking Lot (7 miles),
*Three Way Aid Station (Junction of Kuaokala Trail and Kuaokala Access Road) (9.0 miles and 24.5 miles) – runners will pass this aid station twice each loop
Long Road Aid Station (Junction of Farrington Highway and Mokuleia Access Road) (17 miles)

All distances are approximate.

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. The location of aid stations may vary depending on the weather; however, runners will be informed on race day, if not before, of any changes.

PC 27.5 is a cupless race. There will be no cups at aid stations. Runners are advised to plan on bringing their own bottle or collapsible cup.

Runner Requirements

Each runner is required to sign in on the morning of the event and pick up their bib number.
On race day, 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 for each participant. If there are any runners unaccounted for, we have your contact information on file to help determine your location. If we cannot locate you, or you leave the race without notifying management, a search and rescue will be initiated at your cost.
Check in and out of each aid station for tracking/safety purposes.
Pacers are not allowed for the PC 27.5 mile race participants.
Runners are required to complete the course in the direction described following the course marking. Taking shortcuts on the course will lead to disqualification.
Use of Trekking (hiking) poles is permitted on the course this year.
Runners are required to use the portable toilets at the start/finish line and Long Road aid station. 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. 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 bib 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 these 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.”

Kealia Trail Definition Off Limits Areas

Runner Recommendations

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 to be self-supporting if there is a reduction in the number of aid stations.
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 of 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.

Race Timing and Cut-Off Times

Start time is at 7 am. The cut-off time at Long Road Aid Station is 1:30 pm (6.5 hours). The official cut-off time at the finish is 6:30 pm (11.5 hours); those finishing after 6:30 pm (11.5 hours) will not be recognized as an official finisher, despite making the cut-off times at Long Road aid station. Cut-off times are described as the time the runner exits the aid station. Once a runner leaves an aid station, they cannot return to the same aid station at the same locale and continue if it is beyond the cut-off time. All times will be according to the race clock (computer timing).

Note, that all times listed in this document 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 begin at 6:00 am. Runners will receive their bib number at this time.
Race management will not provide any electrolyte tablets (Salt/Potassium), or medications (NSAIDS, etc.) to the runners. Plan accordingly.
There is no medical personnel on hand to care for you.
Skratch Labs hydration drink mix will be supplied at the aid stations. 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. Entrants can have 1 drop bag which will be taken to Long Road. Mark your bags as Long Road 27.5 along with last name and bib number. Pack according to what you will need, waterproof bags are recommended.
PC race management will transport the drop bags to Long Road Aid Station. Drop bags will leave promptly at 7 am.
Please pick up your drop bag at the Long Road aid station as you head home.
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 (excluding pacer), 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 present 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

Entering Dillingham Field via the West gate (Waianae end). 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 not to 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 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.

Peacock Challenge 27.5 2023