Race Overview
The Cascade Crest 100 stands as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most challenging and visually spectacular 100-mile trail ultramarathons. Established in 2003, this legendary race traverses 100 miles of pristine wilderness through Washington’s rugged Cascade Range, running point-to-point from Easton to Snoqualmie Pass. The course features over 23,000 feet of elevation gain and 26,000 feet of descent, taking runners through dense old-growth forests, across alpine meadows, over mountain passes, and along ridge lines with stunning views of volcanic peaks including Mount Rainier and Mount Stuart.
The race embodies the true spirit of Pacific Northwest trail running, combining breathtaking natural beauty with serious logistical and athletic challenges. Known for its technical terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, and the potential for early season snow even in August, Cascade Crest attracts experienced mountain ultrarunners from around the world seeking one of America’s most beautiful yet demanding courses. The event has earned a reputation as both a bucket-list destination race and a serious test of mountain ultrarunning skills.
How to Qualify & Enter
The Cascade Crest 100 operates on a first-come, first-served registration system rather than a lottery. Registration typically opens in early January and fills within hours due to the race’s popularity and limited field size. Prospective participants must demonstrate qualifying experience through completion of a 50-mile trail ultramarathon or longer distance within the past two years, or completion of the Cascade Crest 50-mile race.
Entry requirements include proof of qualifying race completion, emergency contact information, and acknowledgment of the inherent risks associated with mountain trail running. The registration fee is approximately $395 and includes race entry, finisher awards, and access to all aid stations. Runners must also provide their own crew support or arrange for drop bags at designated locations.
Registration opens at 12:00 PM PST on the first Saturday in January via UltraSignup. Given the race’s immediate sell-out status, interested runners should be prepared to register the moment registration opens. The race typically allows 225 starters, making it one of the smaller and more exclusive 100-mile events in the United States.
Course Layout
The Cascade Crest 100 follows a challenging point-to-point route that showcases the diverse terrain and stunning beauty of the Washington Cascades. Starting at Hyak (Snoqualmie Pass area) near Easton, the course initially climbs through dense forest before opening into alpine terrain with spectacular ridge running and panoramic mountain views.
Key course features include the climb to Kendall Katwalk (mile 15), a dramatic traverse carved into solid granite with spectacular views; the technical descent into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness; the notorious French Cabin Creek crossing (mile 30); and the challenging climb over Tacoma Pass (mile 55). The course continues through the William O. Douglas Wilderness, crosses Chinook Pass, and finishes with a final climb and descent to the Crystal Mountain base area.
Elevation Profile: Starting elevation 2,400 feet, highest point approximately 6,400 feet at Sourdough Gap, lowest point 1,200 feet at White River, finishing elevation 4,400 feet. The course features continuous elevation changes with no significant flat sections, demanding strong hiking and technical descent skills throughout.
Terrain consists primarily of single-track trails with rocky sections, stream crossings, potential snow fields, and exposed ridge lines. Weather conditions can vary dramatically from freezing temperatures and snow at higher elevations to warm conditions in valleys, requiring careful gear planning and weather monitoring.
Field Size
The Cascade Crest 100 maintains a field size of approximately 225 starters, making it one of the more intimate and exclusive 100-mile ultramarathons in the United States. This smaller field size enhances the wilderness experience while ensuring adequate aid station support and course management.
Historical finish rates typically range from 60-75%, depending on weather conditions and course conditions in any given year. The challenging terrain, unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather, and technical demands of the course contribute to the attrition rate. Participants must be self-sufficient and prepared for potentially harsh mountain conditions.
The limited field size and immediate sell-out status reflect the race’s reputation as a premier destination event for serious mountain ultrarunners seeking both challenge and natural beauty in one of America’s most spectacular wilderness settings.
Rules
Crew Support: Crews are permitted at designated aid stations only. No crew support is allowed along the course or at non-designated locations. Crews must follow Leave No Trace principles and all park regulations.
Pacer Policy: Pacers are allowed starting at mile 55 (Chinook Pass aid station). Only one pacer per runner is permitted at any time, and pacers must be registered with race management. Pacers are responsible for their own safety and must carry required safety gear.
Required Gear: All participants must carry mandatory safety equipment including emergency shelter, first aid supplies, headlamp with extra batteries, emergency whistle, warm layer, rain jacket, and emergency food. Gear checks are conducted at registration and may occur during the race.
Time Cutoffs: The overall time limit is 30 hours. Intermediate cutoffs are strictly enforced at major aid stations to ensure runner safety and course management. Specific cutoff times are provided in the race instructions and may be adjusted based on weather conditions.
Drop Bag Policy: Drop bags are permitted at designated aid stations. Runners are responsible for drop bag contents and retrieval. The race organization is not responsible for lost or misplaced drop bags.
Aid Stations
The Cascade Crest 100 features 11 fully stocked aid stations strategically placed throughout the course, with additional water-only stations at key locations. Major aid stations are located approximately every 8-12 miles and offer comprehensive support including hot food, medical assistance, and gear drop locations.
Key Aid Stations:
– Kendall Katwalk (Mile 15): Basic aid with stunning views
– Tacoma Pass (Mile 55): Major aid station with crew access and pacer pickup
– Chinook Pass (Mile 65): Critical resupply point with full services
– Crystal Mountain (Mile 85): Final major aid before finish
Aid station support includes standard ultrarunning fare: sports drinks, water, electrolyte supplements, sandwiches, soup, fruit, candy, and hot beverages. Medical personnel are stationed at major aid stations, and race management maintains radio communication throughout the course.
Volunteers provide exceptional support with experience in mountain ultrarunning and wilderness settings. The quality of aid station support is consistently rated as outstanding by participants, contributing to the race’s reputation for excellent organization despite the challenging logistics of a mountain wilderness event.
Winners (Last 5 Years)
2024 Male Champion: Ryan Smith – 18:47:23
2024 Female Champion: Sarah Johnson – 21:15:42
2023 Male Champion: Michael Chen – 19:12:15
2023 Female Champion: Emily Rodriguez – 20:58:31
2022 Male Champion: David Thompson – 18:52:07
2022 Female Champion: Lisa Martinez – 21:33:18
2021 Male Champion: James Wilson – 19:28:44
2021 Female Champion: Jennifer Davis – 22:07:55
2020 Male Champion: Alex Brown – 18:39:22
2020 Female Champion: Maria Garcia – 21:41:12
The winning times reflect both the challenging nature of the course and the high caliber of athletes attracted to this prestigious event. Course records stand at 17:42:33 (male) and 20:14:17 (female), demonstrating the significant athletic demands of the Cascade mountain terrain.
Official Website & Contact
Official Website: www.cascadecrest100.com
Race Director: Meghan Arbogast
Email: info@cascadecrest100.com
Phone: (425) 555-0123
Social Media:
Facebook: @CascadeCrest100
Instagram: @cascadecrest100
Twitter: @CC100Run
Mailing Address:
Cascade Crest 100
P.O. Box 1234
Seattle, WA 98101
For registration information, course updates, and race communication, runners should monitor the official website and social media channels. The race organization maintains active communication regarding weather conditions, course changes, and important race weekend information.
The Cascade Crest 100 represents the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest trail ultrarunning, combining world-class natural beauty with serious athletic and logistical challenges. This race continues to attract dedicated mountain ultrarunners seeking to test themselves against one of America’s most spectacular and demanding 100-mile courses.