Swing the Gates 5k and 10k
- Date Sat 31st October 2026
- Time 8:00AM PDT
- Location Oak Harbor, Washington
- Price $32.80 - $128.20
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km, 10km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of fun and adventure at the Swing the Gates 5K and 10K event on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the stunning Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor, Island. This exciting event returns for its fourth year, inviting runners, walkers, and their furry friends to embrace the Halloween spirit while exploring the natural beauty of the park.
Participants can choose between the spirited 5K Fun Run, kicking off at 9:00 AM, and the unique 10K Team Scavenger Hunt, starting at 8:00 AM. The 5K course features mostly paved surfaces with a challenging 400 ft elevation gain, making it suitable for all ages and abilities—strollers and dogs are welcome! Meanwhile, the 10K scavenger hunt will test your teamwork skills as you navigate unpaved trails and solve clues along the way, with a total distance of approximately 6.2 miles and a significant 1200 ft elevation gain. Prizes await the top finishers in both races, so gather your friends and family for a day of community spirit, fitness, and fun. Don't forget to wear your favorite costume and bring your own water bottle for this eco
Participants can choose between the spirited 5K Fun Run, kicking off at 9:00 AM, and the unique 10K Team Scavenger Hunt, starting at 8:00 AM. The 5K course features mostly paved surfaces with a challenging 400 ft elevation gain, making it suitable for all ages and abilities—strollers and dogs are welcome! Meanwhile, the 10K scavenger hunt will test your teamwork skills as you navigate unpaved trails and solve clues along the way, with a total distance of approximately 6.2 miles and a significant 1200 ft elevation gain. Prizes await the top finishers in both races, so gather your friends and family for a day of community spirit, fitness, and fun. Don't forget to wear your favorite costume and bring your own water bottle for this eco
Organiser's Description
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 teams 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 teams name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and arent 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 teams name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and arent 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.
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 teams 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 teams name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and arent 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 teams name and password with your teammates so they join the correct team and arent 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.
Races
-
5K Run
Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 31st October 2026 (9:00AM PDT)
$32.80
Run or walk, the Fun Run welcomes people of all ages, and strollers and leashed dogs. The race will be mostly on paved surfaces. -
10K Scavenger Hunt (Cost Per Team)
Incl. $8.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 31st October 2026 (8:00AM PDT)
$128.20
This is a team event with a maximum of 4 people per team. All ages welcome. Pricing is per team; the first team member registered will pay and everyone else registers for free. The race is primarily on trails throughout the park and includes 1200 ft elevation gain. Race distance may vary depending on efficiency at solving clues. This race is considered a strenuous route. Depending on your route, this course could include 960' elevation. The final clue station will close at 11:00 AM and at that point, all teams must return quickly to the finish line.
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41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor, 98277, WA, United States
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Swing the Gates 5k and 10k
