Swing the Gates 5k and 10k
- Date
- October 31, 2026
- Distance
- 5K Run · 10K Scavenger Hunt (cost per team)
From the Organizer
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.
10K Team Scavenger Hunt
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.
Prices (processing fees not included)
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.
Prizes
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!
Volunteering
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.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
57°
Typical Low
43°
Chance of Rain
54%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Whidbey Island Nas, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Oak Harbor, WA
Elevation
116 ft
Nearest Airport
FRD
Friday Harbor Airport · 22 mi
Major Hub
SEA
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport · 63 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Swing the Gates 5k and 10k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
145
Days to train
- Race
- Swing the Gates 5k and 10k
- Date
- October 31, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Oak Harbor, WA
Berry Dairy Days 5K and 10K Race
10K · 5K
18 miles away
Fueling Education Fun Run & Walk
12 miles away
Race the Reserve Whidbey Island
8 miles away
Steps ROCK 'n' ROLL STROLL 5K family fun walk/run!
5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Swing the Gates 5k and 10k?
- Swing the Gates 5k and 10k is a running race held in Oak Harbor, Washington on October 31, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Swing the Gates 5k and 10k?
- Saturday, October 31, 2026 in Oak Harbor, Washington at 41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor, WA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Swing the Gates 5k and 10k?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Swing the Gates 5k and 10k
Oct 31, 2026