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+8,658 ft-12,477 ft48 hours92 ft to 12,137 fttech 8/106 stationsVolcano to Konapavement island tourself-supportedDecember
Distance51 mi
Gain+8,658 ft
Loss-12,477 ft
Altitude92 ft to 12,137 ft
Technicality8/10
Air60°F to 85°F
Gradient profileCourse GPX
  • Start3,911 ft
  • High12,137 ft
  • Low92 ft
  • Finish92 ft
Aid stations6 stops verified
  1. Volcano Village at mile 0.0
  2. Volcano to Kona at mile 10, cutoff 9.600000000000001 hours
  3. Hawaii at mile 20, cutoff 19.200000000000003 hours
  4. Go Big 100 mile 31 at mile 31, cutoff 28.799999999999997 hours
  5. Go Big 100 mile 41 at mile 41, cutoff 38.400000000000006 hours
  6. Finish Kailua at mile 51, cutoff 48 hours

Field, 2025 · 6-year sampleresults

Starters0

Geometrycourse math

Steepest drop1,427 ft-14.1% over 1.9 mi
Night miles18 misunset near 18:00 local
Time over 12k ft7%

Weather at the cruxcourse math

At hour 6 of race, feels like 24 C (72 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 6 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 24 C / 75 F.

The cruxDescent from Volcano toward Kona in afternoon heat (near mile 33)

Course DNA

The Course

Go Big 100 runs 51 mi through Volcano to Kona, Hawaii. +8,658 ft gain and -12,477 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 26.

The Work

Train for 8,658 feet of climbing across 51 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 8/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 33.

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 13. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 100% pavement: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 26.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 13. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 26. Descent from Volcano toward Kona in afternoon heat near mile 33 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 17 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Sources (1)

Go Big 100