Swing the Gates 5k and 10k

Swing the Gates is back for a 4th year! And this time we are CLOSING the Park on Halloween!

This year will include the popular 10k Team Scavenger Hunt and the classic 5k Fun Run-costumes encouraged.

Come hang out with an amazing community of nature lovers, runners, walkers, and their K-9 companions while exploring the beauty of Deception Pass State Park

5K Fun Run

The 5K fun run will kick off at 9:00 AM, but we recommend coming early to cheer on the 10K team scavenger hunt participants as they complete their first challenge as soon as they cross the start line at 8:00 AM.  

The course will be run primarily on paved surfaces, however does include 400 ft elevation gain with a steep incline at the beginning of the race. Strollers, small children, and dogs are welcome! The race aid station is cup-less again, so be sure to bring your own water bottle or cup.

Course will close at 11:00AM.

Challenge yourself and your friends to a unique race experience. Teams will set off along the trails to solve various challenges along the way which will help them uncover the racecourse as they go. Scavenger hunts are more fun with friends, so find three other people to join you at 8:00 AM on race day. Distances and elevation will vary based on your team’s ability to navigate the trails of Deception Pass State Park. 

This is a difficult course run primarily along unpaved trails within the park. If your team is able to navigate the trails efficiently, we expect this year's course to be 6.2 miles and a 1200' elevation.  Each clue station will have cutoff times. The final clue station will close at 11:00 AM to allow park staff to CLOSE the gates to the Park for the season.  If you are still running at this time, we ask that you head to the finish line and check in. This is an unsupported 10K race. Plan to carry your own water and snacks. 

*The first participant will pay the initial fee and then all other teammates are free. Be sure to share your team’s name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and aren’t paying another fee. If your teammate(s) does/do not register, they will not be allowed on the course for safety reasons.

**For safety reasons, substitutions are not allowed for any races after October 28, 2026 including the 10K team scavenger hunt.

5K Fun Run
$30

10K Team Scavenger Hunt
$120.00

(No matter the day, or number of people on your team, the 10K Scavenger Hunt is the same price. The first participant will pay the initial fee and then all other teammates are free. Be sure to share your team’s name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and aren’t paying another fee.)

A Discover Pass is required to park in the lot for the race and can be purchased online at www. discoverpass.wa.gov or at the entrance booth on the day of the event.

The top three finishers of each race category in 5K Fun Run and the first place team in the 10K Scavenger Hunt will win a special prize!

Volunteers are critical to make this race successful. We need people managing different 10K clues, aiding the check-in process, manning our water station, and much more. If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@deceptionpassfoundation.org to get more information.

Join fellow runners on October 31, 2026 for the Swing the Gates 5k and 10k. It's a fantastic 5K, 10K featuring a flat and fast course in Oak Harbor.