Course Descriptions

We've got our courses mapped out! Big Thanks to Kevin for your work on the courses, maps and the awesome descriptions!!

Gunstock 5K Race
The Gunstock 5K is a trail run through a working ranch. Don't expect paved roads, get ready for some hills, and watch out for horse apples and cow pies!

The race follows Jeep trails, cow paths, and sometimes open pasture. The first 2 miles are mostly climbing, topping out at 314 feet above sea level. The last mile heads downhill quickly. Total elevation gain for the course is 292 feet, and total loss is 284 feet.
The race starts right past the Rodeo Arena through an open pasture, heading into the sun and the wind over a short rise before dipping down to the lowest part of the course. You'll follow a Jeep trail for about a half mile before turning onto a cow trail. You'll then follow a Jeep trail along a ridge, steadily climbing about 100 feet by Mile 1.
There are a couple of downhill sections you'll definitely want to take advantage of the next 800 yards or so to make up for all the climbing you'll be doing (another 100-foot rise in elevation) to the halfway point and the only Water Station.
The course then turns onto a level dirt road, until you turn onto the "Skinny Trail" shortcut, a path the cows have worn through thick forest. You'll quickly rise through the forest before emerging on another Jeep trail that rolls up to Mile 2.
Mile 2 is also the highest point of the course--Hinckley Hill. You'll want to stop and gaze at the sweeping ocean view of the entire Koolau region--all the way to Kailua--or explore the old World War II bunker, but then you'll remember you're almost done, and it's almost all downhill from here!
The last 1.1 miles follows a dirt road and drops steeply down Hinckley Hill and back toward the starting line. You'll lose 240 feet of altitude this last mile, so take advantage. But, as always, watch for rocks, ruts, and other surprises the animals have left in your path.
The course finishes right past the Arena again, where you'll enjoy a post-race snack, clean the mud from your shoes, and cheer on the Half Marathon finishers eventually showing up.
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Gunstock Half Marathon
The Gunstock Half Marathon is a trail run through a working ranch. Don't expect paved roads, get ready for some hills, and watch out for horse apples and cow pies!

The race follows Jeep trails, cow paths, dirt/gravel roads, paved roads, and sometimes open pasture. There are 4 steep hills on the course, topping out at 321 feet above sea level.
Total elevation gain for the course is 1,405 feet, and total loss is 1,397 feet.
The race starts right past the Rodeo Arena through an open pasture, heading into the sun and the wind over a short rise before dipping down to a Jeep trail. You'll follow the trail for about a half mile before turning onto a cow trail. You'll then follow a Jeep trail along a ridge, steadily climbing about 100 feet by Mile 1.
There are a couple of downhill sections you'll definitely want to take advantage of the next 800 yards or so to make up for all the climbing you'll be doing (another 100-foot rise in elevation) to the 1.5-mile point and the first Water Station.
The course then turns onto a level dirt road, until you turn onto the "Skinny Trail" shortcut, a path the cows have worn through thick forest. You'll quickly rise through the forest before emerging on another Jeep trail that rolls up to Mile 2.
Mile 2 is also the highest point of the course--Hinckley Hill. You'll want to stop and gaze at the sweeping ocean view of the entire Koolau region--all the way to Kailua--or explore the old World War II bunker, but then you'll remember you've got 11 miles to go. Plus, you'll climb this hill again toward the end of the race.
After screaming down the hill, at about the 2.5 mile mark, you'll break off from the 5K runners and follow a rolling Jeep trail until you get back on the same Cow Trail you turned onto at the 1/2-mile mark. You'll follow the course again for another mile or so until you hit the first Water station again, at about 4.25 miles.
You'll then follow a new Jeep trail down into a shady forest. Watch your footing here--you'll be heading down into a valley, and there are roots, rocks, and slippery pine needles. Once you cross the dry river bed, you'll rise steeply through pine trees and emerge on another Jeep trail. After another 1/2-mile or so, you'll quickly descend the Rocky Ridge trail, which is very aptly named. Pick your way through this section and you'll be fine.
The next mile follows a dirt/gravel road through several farms--a good place to make up some time as it gently descends to the low point of the course--Mile 6.
After this Water Station, you'll hit the only paved road of the course, which heads up past the Sewer Plant, giving you extra motivation to either run quickly through this section or hold your breath. You'll follow another dirt road, and get ready for a steep ascent--over 200 feet in about a half a mile.
At the top of Water Tower Hill, Mile 7, you'll descend a concrete road even more quickly than getting up the hill. You'll then follow a dirt/gravel road through the Concrete Quarry to the Water Station at the turn-around point at about 7.8 miles.
On the way back, you'll take a shortcut around the Water Tower hill (we wanted to give you a break), but you'll still have a bit of an ascent at Mile 9 to get back up to the Sewer Plant.
Heading back the way you came, you'll pass the Water Station at about Mile 10, go through the farms again, up Rocky Ridge trail, and then back down through the slippery pine needles. On the way back up, you'll take another Cow path shortcut that wends its way through some tricky roots and branches, and finally opens up to another pasture.
You'll follow another cow path, winding your way up a ridge until you meet up again at Mile 11.5 with the original 5K trail to the top of Hinckley Hill.
The last 1.1 miles follows a dirt road and drops steeply down Hinckley Hill and back toward the starting line. You'll lose 240 feet of altitude this last mile, so take advantage. But, as always, watch for rocks, ruts, and other surprises the animals have left in your path.
The course finishes right past the Arena again, where you'll enjoy a post-race snack, clean the mud from your shoes, and enjoy the fun activities everyone else has been doing while you were racing through the ranch.