Run for the Dry Forest
About this race
Run for the Dry Forest supports conservation and restoration of dry forests in Hawai‘i. Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a contains some of the few remaining patches of dry forest, and was once considered the most botanically rich forest in Hawai‘i. Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a contains 8 endangered birds and at least 40 rare plants, of which 22 are listed as endangered or proposed for listing. Ongoing research is exploring how to mitigate current threats to the forest, which include wildfire, invasives, and introduced ungulates.
Please note:
- **Dogs are NOT allowed** at Pu'uwa'awa'a to protect the native wildlife. Please keep your pets at home.
- **This is a cupless event**. Unnecessary waste and trash is something we are working to eliminate at events. As an organization dedicated to maintaining a clean race and doing our part to keep our trails beautiful and pristine, just like last year, we will be going cupless. This means we are eliminating the use of disposable cups at all our races
- Runners will instead receive a reusable HydraPak SpeedCup for use on and off the course, but please bring your cup from past years and help our environment.
Pick your distance
Trail running
5k
The 5 km course includes stretches of dirt, coarse rock, and paved roads. Suitable for most people, including families. Because of the rocky sections, sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended and baby strollers should have large wheels. There is 300 feet of elevation gain/loss along this loop route. Start at the Meeting House and circle the reservoir once before heading up the dirt road past the parking area to the main ranch road. Turn left and proceed down the paved road about 1.1 miles. You will be directed left again over a section of rocky road for about 1/4 mile to the old airstrip. Continue down the airstrip and turn left after the airplane hangar. The trail goes uphill, through an open gate and back to the Meeting House.
10k
The 10 km loop course is a challenging trail running experience, featuring 1200 feet of elevation gain in the first half (3 miles), loose rocky footing and narrow winding trails. Start at the Meeting House and run one lap around the reservoir before heading up the steep and winding 4wd road. From the crest above Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a (the half-way point) you may be able to see Hualālai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Kohala. Circle the cinder cone and enjoy the fast single track descent through an old corral and horse pasture, to the finish at the Meeting House. This event is for experienced trail runners only. Baby strollers are not allowed.
Race-day daylight
We have no recorded weather for Kailua yet, but sunrise and sunset follow from the venue and the date.
The sun rises at 6:19 AM and sets at 5:59 PM local time (HST) in Kailua on October 17, 2026 — 11h 39m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 17 Kailua events
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