BOOK OF HURT 2025

EVENT DETAILS

I. Introduction

The HURT Trail 100-Mile Endurance Run, referred to hereafter as the “HURT 100”, is a very difficult event designed for the adventurous and well prepared ultrarunner. It is conducted on trails within the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Nā Ala Hele program. Nā Ala Hele has turned traces of pig trails through the rain forest into people-friendly, single-track paths. The event organizers are very grateful for the staff’s untiring year-round commitment to trail maintenance for all users and help in preparing for this annual event.

A detailed description of the course can be found at the end of this document.

Climate

• Temperature
  • Average Maximum for Honolulu in January – 80.0° Fahrenheit
  • Average Minimum for Honolulu in January – 65.8° Fahrenheit
  • Extreme Daily High for Honolulu in January – 88.0° Fahrenheit
  • Extreme Daily Low for Honolulu in January – 52.0° Fahrenheit
• Precipitation
  • Monthly Mean for Honolulu in January – 3.34 inches
  • One-Day Maximum for Honolulu in January – 6.40 inches
• These measurements were gathered from a weather station at the Honolulu airport (HNL), and do not apply with precision to the rain forest. Participants should expect lower daytime highs and nighttime lows, especially on the exposed sections of Mānoa Cliff and Nu‘uanu ridge. Precipitation is higher in the rain forest than in the urban areas of Honolulu and can fall in huge quantities over a brief span of time. Regardless of rain, high relative humidity should be expected.

Illumination

• All times are expressed in 24-hour format, pertaining to race weekend, and are listed in order of occurrence; dusk and dawn refer to “civil twilight” (sun six degrees below horizon).  Times listed are for January 18, 2025.
  • Dawn – 06:47
  • Sunrise – 07:11
  • Sunset – 18:12
  • Dusk – 18:36
  • Moonrise – 22:46  (Moon phase: waning gibbous, 79.1% illumination )
  • Moonset – 10:56 (Jan. 19)
• The dense canopy covering much of the course leads to effectively shorter daylight hours. Even in years with nearly a full moon, the moon will not provide much illumination through the canopy. For the HURT 100 in 2025, moonrise will be four hours after dusk. Even with moon illumination at 79%, participants should anticipate needing artificial light for longer than indicated by the times listed above.

Altitude / Elevation Change

• Over the 100-mile course, the elevation ranges from 300 to 1900 feet. The total cumulative elevation gain is roughly 24,500 feet. For the technically inclined, the GPS sampling interval for this calculation was about 100 meters.

Terrain

• The HURT 100 course consists almost exclusively of technical, single-track trail on surfaces that include roots, rocks, and soil in a wide range of conditions, from sun-baked clay to mud of varying depth. Sudden hairpin turns and steep inclines of up to approximately two miles in length are a common occurrence. Very few sections of the course can be run with a consistent stride for more than several hundred yards at a time.
• There are a total of 20 stream crossings. Mānoa Stream and Nu‘uanu Stream are each crossed twice per lap at locations close to the Mānoa and Nu‘uanu Aid Stations, respectively.

Fauna

• Wild pigs roam the trails and are most active at sunrise and sunset. Although they tend to avoid humans, they are temperamental and have dangerous tusks. When encountering a pig, especially a sow with piglets, trail users should avoid sudden or aggressive movements.
• Mosquitoes can be present in the wetter areas of the course alongside stream crossings and at some aid stations, especially when there is little air movement. Participants may want to pack appropriate clothing and/or repellant.
• Bacteria (including leptospirosis) are prevalent in freshwater streams and ponds found in Hawai‘i. Please do not drink stream or pond water. As aid stations are close, runners should not need to use streams as a hydration source. Runners should also note that leptospirosis can enter the bloodstream through any open wound. 

II. Race Logistics

The Course

• Please see Course Description for course maps and route details.

Course Markings

• Please see Course Description for details on course marking.

Aid Stations

• There are three aid stations spaced from 5.2 to 7.4 miles apart: Makiki (the Start / Finish, located at the Hawai‘i Nature Center), Mānoa (located at Paradise Park), and Nu‘uanu (located at Judd Trail trailhead). All aid stations will be stocked with bottled water, an electrolyte drink, and carbonated beverages. Hot and cold food will be available, with vegetarian and vegan options in each category. Food items will include the traditional fare that is provided at most 100-mile runs, as well as local variations of the standard theme.  While the aid stations are well stocked, there are certain items that will not be available:  runners are responsible for their own gels, energy bars, electrolyte supplements, medications (e.g., anti-inflammatory products), personal hygiene products (e.g., sunscreen, lip balm), and typical first-aid items (e.g., bandages, blister treatment). Those with strict dietary requirements or special medical conditions are advised to pack needed items in personal drop bags.
• REMINDER: The HURT 100 is a cupless race.  (Exceptions are made for hot beverages and for volunteers.) 

Drop Bags

• Runners may have personal supplies at any of the three aid stations. Each aid station will be visited five times, so attention to resource planning is important. Due to space limitations and to facilitate handling, the size of drop bags is limited to 12 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches, as detailed in Rules.
• As aid stations close, race personnel will transfer drop bags from the peripheral aid stations (Mānoa, Nu‘uanu) back to the Hālau Kū Māna parking lot at 2101 Makiki Heights Drive (at the bottom of the road leading up to the Makiki Aid Station). Participants are responsible for gathering their drop bags following the event by 18:15 on Sunday, January 19. Any items not collected by then will be donated, recycled, or discarded.
• Drop bags will only be delivered back after the closing of each aid station, to the Hālau Kū Māna parking at Makiki. If you finish or drop early, you’re welcome to retrieve your bag from each individual aid station, to save you time waiting for final aid station closure. Please let the aid station volunteers know you are taking your bag. Runners or crews picking up bags at Nu‘uanu may not park or stay at the aid station. Please just grab and go.

Pacers / Crews

• The HURT 100 is a competitive race for some, a running event for others, but an independent challenge and personal test of fortitude for all. A pacer is a safety companion during the latter part of the event only, not a way to gain advantage over fellow runners. A similar sentiment applies to crews, which are also considered nonessential as ample and regular support is provided by aid-station personnel. Runners need to be able to carry necessary supplies and maintain forward progress independently, from start to finish. Note: The ultrarunning community in Hawai‘i is relatively small, and pacers may be hard to find locally. Runners are responsible for the conduct of their pacers, regardless of how they are acquired.

Awards

• Awards (belt buckles) for all 100-mile finishers will be given immediately at the time of race completion. 
• We Wouldn’t Want It To Be Easy Award: This award is in honor of Big John Salmonson. John provided much support and mentorship to everyone who crossed paths with him, and he took great pride in helping to create and grow one of the hardest events in the country, the HURT 100. John always felt that overcoming significant obstacles, going deep into discomfort, and coming out the other side with a finisherʻs buckle was the recipe for transforming an athlete into the best version of themself. This award honors a finishing runner who overcame challenges and conquered the HURT 100 and, as a result, grew as an athlete and human.
• Selected finishers will be awarded a custom-made, custom-fitted HURT belt to complement their new buckle. Recipients will be announced at the HURT banquet.
• The first three finishers in the men, women, and non-binary divisions will receive event-specific trophies at a ceremony during the Post-Race Banquet. Runners unable to attend the banquet should note that awards will not be mailed and must be collected locally.
• A prize of $500.00 will be given for any new course record established for each division in the HURT 100. The current records are 19:35 (men) and 24:06 (women).

Parking

• Makiki: Parking at the Makiki Aid Station (Start / Finish) is limited; carpooling and arranging rides are recommended. One parking pass will be issued to each runner, for one vehicle to park at Hālau Kū Māna, which must always be displayed.  Runners and crews should use the lower parking lot before the gate.  We will once again try to obtain parking at the adjacent  Hālau Kū Māna School, but this may not be confirmed until just prior to the race.  Participants may also park along Makiki Heights Drive but must have all tires off the roadway or risk being towed. Runner or crew vehicles are NOT permitted above the gate. The DLNR has advised race planners that only necessary traffic will be allowed to pass through the front gate after hours (typically sunset to sunrise), as the park needs to be secured. On race morning prior to the start, a parking attendant will direct drivers. 
  • Note: There are several private homes along the roadway leading to the Makiki Aid Station. Travel and noise (e.g., conversations, closing of car doors and trunks) should be kept to the absolute minimum, especially during nighttime and early morning hours. There is no parking above the gate by runners or crews.
• Mānoa: The Mānoa aid station is located on the Paradise Park grounds. Paradise Park, including the parking lot, are private property. A $7 parking fee (subject to change) applies for the duration of the event. Free street parking is available around the end of Mānoa Road, 5 − 10 minutes by foot from the aid station.  If parking on Mānoa Road, do not block neighborhood driveways. Due to traffic and parking congestion on the first loop, no crews are permitted at this aid station until after 10:45 a.m. on Saturday.
• Nuʻuanu: There is no access to the Nuʻuanu aid station.  Nuʻuanu Pali Drive is a narrow road adjacent to the aid station that offers extremely limited parking. PACERS MAY NOT start at Nuʻuanu.  Pacers or crews showing up at Nuʻuanu could result in runner disqualification. Due to limited parking, we will use a shuttle for volunteers.
• All Locations: Trailheads are notorious for vehicle break-ins. Participants are strongly encouraged to avoid leaving valuables in their cars. Note that vehicles must have all four wheels off the road (asphalt surface) to avoid ticketing or towing by the police.

Race Photography

• Race Management provides two or three approved volunteer professional photographers for this event. These photographers can be identified by yellow photographer vests. Post-event, these photographers may offer photos for purchase. Runners should note that these photographers take thousands of photos during the event, and it takes some time to process them and make the race photos available.
• The best places to see a runner and capture photographs are near aid stations. Those who venture onto the course are asked to exercise caution and respect the environment, runners, and other trail users. Many spectators who take pictures share them through the HURT 100 website (use the contact form on our website to have photos posted).

Lodging

• For assistance with lodging, participants may contact the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau – Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

III. Safety / Medical Concerns

Participants have voluntarily entered an event which requires a significant amount of mental and physical preparation. In addition, the race involves inherent risks ranging from the known (e.g., terrain, 100-mile course) to the unknown (e.g., “acts of God”). Runners and pacers should ensure adequate medical coverage in the event of mishap during this event.

Medical Personnel

Although event personnel will make all efforts to provide aid within their capabilities, medical staff may not be available to take care of participants. Each aid station is located within a 5-mile radius of a major medical center.

Cell Phone Coverage

Cell phone service is available on parts of the course but can range erratically from adequate coverage to none at all. Quality and reception will also vary among cellular phone carriers. Carrying a whistle is recommended for both runners and pacers.

Accidents

If a runner gets hurt on the trail, they should stay put, keep warm, and remember that this is a multiple-lap, out and back course. Other runners or the HURT Patrol will direct event personnel to the incident location or assist in another manner. Similarly, if a runner gets lost, they should stay on the trail and wait for assistance. Wandering aimlessly, especially at night, reduces the chance of being found.

An emergency telephone number will be printed on your race bibs. This number will connect to race personnel and should only be used during the race, if injured or lost.

Dehydration

One of the most common medical problems for endurance athletes is dehydration. This is especially relevant for the HURT 100 as conditions on the course can be hot and humid. Runners are solely responsible for monitoring their own hydration level; race officials will not be weighing participants. Runners should leave each aid station with a minimum of 32 ounces of water, with 64 ounces being highly recommended.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia may pose a threat at night, especially if it has rained, as temperatures can drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sections of the course along ridges and cliffs, including Mānoa Cliff Trail and Nu‘uanu Trail, are extremely exposed and can be very windy and wet.

Road Crossings

On each lap, runners must make two road crossings. One of them involves following a narrow road for approximately 150 yards. Runners must use extreme caution when running across or along roadways. Crossing roads safely is solely the responsibility of the runner.

Terrain

Participants will be running on technical trails where footing is adequate at best. If it rains, which is common, there can be an abundance of mud. Attention to the terrain underfoot and directly ahead is critical in this event. Some trails are located adjacent to cliffs with extreme drop-offs.

There are two major streams, and each is crossed twice per loop. One major crossing is short and non-technical, involving wood planks not far from the Mānoa Aid Station. The other is technical and requires runners to cross Nu‘uanu Stream on scattered and slippery rocks, near the Nu‘uanu Aid Station. Runners  will likely get wet feet when crossing this stream. If the water level is high, the course may be rerouted. Runners will be notified of any course changes at the Pre-Race Briefing.  Depending on recent rainfall, parts of the trail will be quite muddy and/or cross minor run-off streams.

Lighting

As no part of the course (except for the aid stations) is lit, and very little moonlight penetrates the forest canopy, race participants will need artificial light at night. Runners (and pacers) are reminded that daylight hours are shorter in the forest than in the open. Participants should carry backup batteries and lights and keep extras in drop bags. Aid stations are not stocked with batteries for runners to use.

Hiking Poles

Poles are permitted on the course. For safety reasons, those with poles should yield the trail to other runners.

Headphones

Use of any device that impairs the senses is discouraged for safety reasons. Runners wearing headphones are asked to remove them when near aid stations to facilitate communication with event personnel.

Noise

Use of bells and other devices emitting sound is prohibited out of respect for other trail users seeking a wilderness experience.