EPIC5
Classic

5 – 140.6 full distance triathlons | 5 Hawaiian Islands | 5 days

Monday - Saturday, May 18-23, 2026

The EPIC5 Challenge was founded in 2010 by Jason Lester  when he and Rich Roll set out to complete what many deemed the impossible. The two embarked on an unprecedented and spiritual odyssey consisting of 5 full 140.6 Distance triathlons on 5 Hawaiian Islands, finishing in under a week.

Since then, some of the world’s toughest ultra triathletes have participated in this annual event, testing the limits of mind, body & spirit as they embark on a 5 day passage to discover the depths of oneself. As featured in Rich Roll’s best selling book “Finding Ultra”, the EPIC5 Challenge is an unparalleled athletic journey and a once in a lifetime triathlon adventure.

This event is a fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics Hawaii organization. We are looking for solid athletes with a passion for adventure and a desire to make the world a better place.


Registration options & inclusions.

There are three registration options for the 2026 EPIC5 Classic ultra tri event. 

OPTION 1: Non-Fundraising Athlete. $12,500 USD + a suggested $500 USD donation to the Special Olympics Hawaii (SOH) organization.

OPTION 2: Fundraising Athlete. Fundraise a minimum of $5,000 USD for the Special Olympics Hawaii organization and pay a special registration rate of $11,500 USD. You will have your own fundraising page. All donations are tax deductible & go directly to SOH..

OPTION 3:  Fundraising Relay Team. 3 people, one person per discipline.  $4,500 USD per person + team fundraising minimum of $7,500 USD.

Entry Fee Inclusions

An ultra tri experience in a small adventurous supportive group setting with a focus on unique courses while touring the Hawaiian Islands

  • Inter-island travel for the athlete: 2 commercial flights + 2 private charters.

  • Professional photographer to document the journey.

  • Professional bike mechanic for daily build/breakdowns & on course support

  • An EPIC swag bag which includes a 40L drybag backpack, bike kit (jersey/shorts), wind jacket, hat/visor, tee, tank, swim caps, head-buff, reflective vest, luggage tags and all sorts of other swag & goodies.

  • Ice chest/cooler

  • Koa wood award medal (for finishers).

  • Event bowl

  • Event meals: Pre-race meet & greet social, pre-race brunch + post race celebration dinner & post-race celebration brunch.

What other expenses are typical?

Total additional expenses are estimated at ~$10K-20K+. Cost is dependent on how many crew you bring, are you frugal or extravagant with meals, how many hotel rooms you get, where you are traveling from and will you use points & miles to book travel to/from HI or pay market rates, how far in advance you book rental cars, etc.

  • Athlete & crew travel to/from Hawaii.

  • Luggage & bike box fees on commercial flights

  • Lodging. A list of recommended lodging will be available, some with discounted group hotel rates.

  • Meals,. nutrition, water, ice (athlete & crew).

  • Rental car (minivan highly recommended). Rental car discount codes available (Budget & Avis).

  • Crew package, $1450 USD per person. Includes interisland travel, a crew swag bag w/3 shirts & hat or visor, meet & greet social, pre-race brunch, post race award dinner celebration, post race celebration brunch.

  • Optional coffee table photo book, $550 USD

Qualifications

We are looking for solid athletes with a passion for adventure, a zest for experiences, and a desire to make the world a better place.

Multi-day endurance experience of some sort is key. Here are a few examples:

  • Ultraman or Ultraman format races

  • Anvil multiday events 

  • RAAM

  • Marathon de Sables

  • Double Ironman weekend

  • Rowing from California to Hawaii (~2400 nautical miles) in 57 days

Here are some general guidelines on athletic abilities:

  • Must be able to complete each day with enough time to make the flights, finishing no later than approximately 2 hours before flight time to allow for travel to the airport, rental car return, check in & security screening. Day 1 needs to be completed in ~15 hours for an evening flight. All other flights are in the morning.

  • Must be able to complete a 2.4 mile open water swim in approximately 2 hours or less (maximum time limit for swim is 2h:20m).

  • Be comfortable with hills, or perhaps a volcanic mountain.

  • Be comfortable with challenging courses and no road closures.

For more details, check out our FAQ page.

Disclosures

Failure to timely make payments shall result in the forfeiture of your participation slot as well as any monies that you may have paid to EPIC5 Challenge.

EPIC5 Challenge, at its sole discretion, may defer your entry to a future event upon your written request and on a case-by-case basis typically with a $1000 administrative deferral fee, but is under no obligation to do so.

Lastly, in the event that a minimum number of participants (as determined by EPIC5 Challenge) have not been accepted by EPIC5 Challenge by five (5) calendar months prior to the first day of the event, EPIC5 Challenge, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to cancel such event and provide a full refund of all monies that you may have paid to EPIC5 Challenge.