Go Big 260
- 20241 finishers
Races
Go Big 260
Hilo lighthouse loop. Two hundred sixty miles of Big Island pavement. Eighteen thousand feet each way. Ninety-six hours. Sixty-five miles per day minimum or you are done.
148 mi+13,133 ft-13,133 ft96 hours0 ft to 11,420 fttech 6/106 stationsHilo loop65 mi/day minimummulti-dayDecember
Distance148 mi
Gain+13,133 ft
Loss-13,133 ft
Altitude0 ft to 11,420 ft
Technicality6/10
Air60°F to 85°F
- Start0 ft
- High11,420 ft
- Low0 ft
- Finish0 ft
- Hilo at mile 0.0
- Go Big 260 mile 30 at mile 30, cutoff 19.200000000000003 hours
- Go Big 260 mile 59 at mile 59, cutoff 38.400000000000006 hours
- Go Big 260 mile 89 at mile 89, cutoff 57.599999999999994 hours
- Go Big 260 mile 118 at mile 118, cutoff 76.80000000000001 hours
- Finish Hawaii at mile 148, cutoff 96 hours
Field, 2025 · 6-year sampleresults
Starters0
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop2,484 ft-19.2% over 2.4 mi
Night miles77 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 6 of race, feels like 27 C (78 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 6 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 27 C / 80 F.
Course records
Men92:07:00Jono Zapf
The cruxDay three when 65 miles per 24 hours catches up (near mile 96)
Course DNA
The Course
Go Big 260 runs 148 mi through Hilo, Hawaii. +13,133 ft gain and -13,133 ft loss. Surfaces skew 100% pavement. Day three when 65 miles per 24 hours catches up. High point near 11,420 ft. Low near the start basin. December temps run 60°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 74.
The Work
Train for 13,133 feet of climbing across 148 mi. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 96 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 96.
Kit
December in Hilo, Hawaii: plan for 60°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 96 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 37. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 100% pavement: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 74.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 37. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 74. Day three when 65 miles per 24 hours catches up near mile 96 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 49 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Go Big 260 finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=132334
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=112813