The Gay Head 10K is, as its title suggests, a 10-kilometer race. But the views are so spectacular it is not fair to measure the race in terms of distance traveled. Better to focus on the sights, sounds and good will gained from helping to keep the lighthouse in top form.

The race is Sunday, Oct. 2 and the course begins at the lighthouse and then heads down State Road, past the Aquinnah town hall and library, and back up Moshup Trail where the crashing surf will sound like applause to any tired runners. The final push finishes back at the lighthouse, the perfect spot to restore oneself after the hilly climb. And there will be an after race feast provided by local Aquinnah merchants.

As an added bonus runners are gifted a free tour of the lighthouse. What’s a few more vertical steps after a morning workout?

The race begins at 10:30 a.m. and the roads will be free of cars until noon. Runners can sign up online before race day or, for those adverse to advance scheduling, leap out of bed Sunday morning. Fees are $40 per runner in advance; $45 for spontaneous racers.

The run is USATF-certified, and the male and female course records belong to Justin Keefe who ran 32:22.00 in 2016, and Molly Seidel who ran 35:01.85 in 2017.

Visit gayhead10k.com for more information.