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+13,037 ft-13,037 ft96 hours0 ft to 11,420 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookHilo loop65 mi/day minimummulti-dayDecember
Distance148 mi
Gain+13,037 ft
Loss-13,037 ft
Altitude0 ft to 11,420 ft
Technicality5/10
Air60°F to 85°F
- Start0 ft
- High11,420 ft
- Low0 ft
- Finish0 ft
Field, 2025 · 6-year samplescraped
Starters0
Geometryderived
Steepest drop2,241 ft-20.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles77 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
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 169)
Course DNA
The Course
Go Big 260 runs 260 mi through Hilo, Hawaii. +13,037 ft gain and -13,037 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 130.
The Work
Train for 13,037 feet of climbing across 260 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 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 169.
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 65. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 100% pavement: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 130.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 65. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 130. Day three when 65 miles per 24 hours catches up near mile 169 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 86 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