Races

Go Big 100

Volcano to Kona, HawaiiDecember

Volcano Village to Kailua-Kona. One hundred miles of Big Island pavement. Five thousand up, nine thousand down. Crew and drops are on you.

51 mi+8,600 ft-12,419 ft48 hours92 ft to 12,137 fttech 6/10Checkpoints per race bookVolcano to Konapavement island tourself-supportedDecember
Distance51 mi
Gain+8,600 ft
Loss-12,419 ft
Altitude92 ft to 12,137 ft
Technicality6/10
Air60°F to 85°F
Gradient profileVerified course GPX
  • Start3,911 ft
  • High12,137 ft
  • Low92 ft
  • Finish92 ft

Field, 2025 · 6-year samplescraped

Starters0

Geometryderived

Steepest drop1,581 ft-13.9% over 2.2 mi
Night miles18 misunset near 18:00 local
Time over 12k ft8%

Weather at the cruxderived

At hour 6 of race, feels like 24 C (72 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.

The cruxDescent from Volcano toward Kona in afternoon heat (near mile 65)

Course DNA

The Course

Go Big 100 runs 100 mi through Volcano to Kona, Hawaii. +8,600 ft gain and -12,419 ft loss. Surfaces skew 100% pavement. Descent from Volcano toward Kona in afternoon heat. High point near 12,137 ft. Low near 92 ft. December temps run 60°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.

The Work

Train for 8,600 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 48 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 6/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.

Kit

December in Volcano to Kona, Hawaii: plan for 60°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 48 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 100% pavement: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Descent from Volcano toward Kona in afternoon heat near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Train for your race

Train for Go Big 100

Course-specific plan, fuel segments, gear kit, and race morning for Go Big 100.

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Go Big 100

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