Wasatch Front 100 Race Guide
Wasatch Front 100 Race Guide provides runners with vital details for conquering Utah’s legendary endurance challenge.
Race Overview
The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run, often called Wasatch, challenges runners with “One Hundred Miles of Heaven and Hell” through the rugged Wasatch Front range in northern Utah. Founded in 1980, this point-to-point ultramarathon starts above Kaysville and finishes at Soldier Hollow, covering the first Friday and Saturday after Labor Day each year. A lottery registration opens on December 1 and concludes the first week of January, awarding spots to those who meet basic qualifying criteria and luck of the draw. Over four decades, Wasatch has built a reputation for its primitive terrain and dramatic elevation changes that push competitors to rely on personal grit and endurance. Volunteers and aid station support are sparse compared to other ultras, reinforcing the race’s self-reliance ethos.
When It Is Run
Wasatch Front 100 is held annually on the first Friday after Labor Day, typically in early September. Runners gather at 5:00 AM at East Mountain Wilderness Park for the start, and they must cross the finish line at Soldier Hollow by 5:00 PM on Saturday. September weather in the Wasatch can swing from warm afternoon sun to chilly mountain nights, so athletes must prepare for a wide temperature range. Pre-race training should include runs in both hot and cool conditions, as well as night workouts under headlamps. Adapting to day-night temperature shifts is crucial for maintaining pace and preventing hypothermia once darkness falls.
How to Qualify or Register
Entry into the Wasatch Front 100 relies on a lottery system open every December, and applicants must submit proof of completing a prior 100-mile endurance run or a race of equivalent rigor. Registration usually closes in early January, with the lottery drawing held later that month. Runners who fail to draw a slot can join a waitlist, which occasionally opens additional entries if accepted runners withdraw. Successful applicants receive an email confirmation and must then submit medical waivers and pay the entry fee to finalize their spot. Adhering to deadlines is essential, since missing any requirement leads to loss of entry regardless of lottery placement.
Particular Challenges
Wasatch tests runners with nearly relentless climbs and descents that total about 24,000 feet of gain and 23,300 feet of loss. The course begins with a steep 4.4-mile climb out of the valley, and runners face long ridge runs followed by several brutal ups and downs over Francis Peak, Big Mountain Pass, and Mill Creek Canyon. Exposure on high mountain ridges can bring strong winds and rapid temperature drops, making proper layering and wind protection vital. The remote nature of some sections means aid stations are few and far between, so athletes need to carry enough food and water to reach the next checkpoint. Mental toughness is tested by fatigue and isolation, especially during the dark hours when natural landmarks are harder to recognize.
Course Format
The Wasatch Front 100 follows a classic point-to-point layout that starts in Kaysville and ends 100 miles later at Soldier Hollow in Midway. Runners traverse a single corridor of mountain ridges, canyons, and valleys, never returning to the start area once the race begins. This format creates a sense of forward momentum but also means crews must leapfrog aid stations to support their runners. The finish at the historic Soldier Hollow biathlon stadium provides a festive atmosphere after hours of wilderness solitude. Point-to-point races demand precise logistics for both runners and their crews, from parking shuttles at the finish to staging vehicles at remote aid locations.
Elevation Profile
Wasatch Front 100 rises from roughly 4,200 feet at the start to peaks above 10,400 feet, with the highest point near Baker Pass at mile 78.5. Major climbs include the early ascent up Bair Canyon, a steady grind over Bald Mountain, and another steep push over Pole Line Pass. Runners also tackle the infamous “Glide” and “Plunge” sections, which alternate between runnable ridge flats and technical scree descents. Descents can be at least as punishing as climbs, requiring muscle braking and trail-running skill to avoid falls. Altitude gain and loss both accumulate to more than 47,000 feet, so cardiovascular conditioning and leg strength are critical for success.
Terrain Breakdown
The trail surface underfoot shifts constantly, with roughly 60 percent singletrack trails carved through pine and aspen forests. About 30 percent of the route follows primitive dirt roads or two-track jeep paths that can vary from smooth to deeply rutted. The remaining 10 percent includes short stretches on paved rural roads near trailheads and the finish area. Rock fields, roots, and occasional snowfields add to the technical challenge, while summer dust can coat shoes and obscure traction. Training on mixed surfaces will prepare legs and feet for the full spectrum of terrain that Wasatch delivers.
Time Limit & Cutoffs
Runners must complete Wasatch Front 100 within a 36-hour limit, reaching the finish by 5:00 PM Saturday. Mandatory in-time cutoffs at key aid stations ensure safety and volunteer support schedules. For example, arriving at Bountiful B (mile 16.6) by noon keeps you in the race, while missing the 5:00 PM cutoff at Big Mountain Pass (mile 31.9) results in a DNF. Later checkpoints at Lamb’s Canyon, Brighton, Pole Line Pass, and Little Deer Creek each have hard cutoff times stretching into the early morning Saturday. Knowing these limits helps runners pace early efforts to preserve energy for later climbs and ensures that aid stations can close predictably.
Aid Stations
The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run features sixteen aid stations including the start line and finish, with the longest gap between stations stretching 11 miles across exposed ridgelines. Runners begin at East Mountain Wilderness Park and reach Bountiful B at 16.6 miles, where crew access and drop bags are available. Subsequent drop bag locations at Big Mountain Pass (mile 31.9), Alexander Ridge (mile 40.7), Lamb’s Underpass (mile 47.5), Brighton Lodge (mile 69.3), Pole Line Pass (mile 77.2), Little Deer Creek (mile 88.3), and the finish at Soldier Hollow enable crews to shuttle supplies along the point-to-point course. Between these major stops are smaller unmanned water points and volunteer-staffed stations providing snacks and first aid. Crews must plan precise vehicle leaps to meet runners at each drop bag station, ensuring they carry enough fluid and calories to cover the remote stretches.
Mandatory Gear
Every athlete must carry a working headlamp with spare batteries to navigate through predawn and nighttime sections, a waterproof breathable jacket and pants rated for sudden storms, and an emergency blanket or bivy sack for hypothermia prevention. A whistle for signaling rescue and a mirror for reflective signaling are required, along with a GPS device loaded with the official race GPX file or a GPS watch with equivalent capability. Competitors must also have a minimum two-liter hydration system, electrolyte supplements, and solid calorie sources sufficient to cover the longest section between aid stations. Race officials perform gear checks at bib pickup and randomly on course; missing any mandatory item carries a penalty up to disqualification.
Crew & Pacing
Support crews can only meet runners at the eight designated drop bag aid stations and must display the official VT100-style crew credential to access each location. No outside assistance is allowed on non-drop bag segments, and pacing is prohibited until a runner has passed the 77.2-mile Pole Line Pass station. Only registered pacers may join runners after this point, and pacers must carry the same mandatory gear checklist items as athletes. Crew vehicles are strictly confined to established parking areas, and crews must follow race-provided directions to minimize environmental impact on fragile forest roads. Any unauthorized crew support or early pacing results in strict time penalties or removal from the course.
Navigation
The entire course is marked with bright orange flags and reflective pie-plates at junctions, while yellow signs mark aid station approaches during daylight and glow-in-the-dark tabs guide in darkness. Every major turn features a volunteer marshal to confirm the correct path, and runners are strongly advised to carry a GPS device loaded with the official GPX file available on the race website. For added safety, emergency waypoints for each aid station are also stored on the GPS file, allowing runners to summon help with accurate location data if needed. Familiarizing oneself with the course map and elevation profile in advance reduces the risk of wrong turns on the technical ridge and canyon sections.
Finish Rates
Historically, Wasatch Front 100 sees an average completion rate of around 68 percent, though this has trended downward with tougher conditions and more technical course changes. Finishing percentages over the last five years have ranged from 74 percent in 2014 down to a low of 62 percent in 2018, reflecting challenges like heat, insects, and high winds on exposed ridges. More recent editions have dipped into the low-50 percent range when smoke or extreme weather intervene, making strategic pacing and conservative early splits vital for achieving the 36-hour cutoff. Understanding these statistics helps entrants set realistic expectations and plan conservative nutrition and hydration strategies to sustain them through the night.
Special Features
Wasatch awards the coveted Royal Order of the Crimson Cheetah red coral belt buckle to runners who finish within 24 hours, while all finishers receive the traditional Wasatch wooden ring buckle symbolizing the rugged course. The race’s “Glide” and “Plunge” sections deliver thrilling runnable ridges followed by steep technical descents that have earned legendary status among ultrarunners. A “Spirit of Wasatch” award recognizes an individual—often a veteran volunteer or participant—whose dedication exemplifies the event’s ethos of community and self-reliance. The finish line at Soldier Hollow, an Olympic-caliber biathlon stadium, provides a dramatic contrast to the remote wilderness miles that precede it.
Previous Winners
Course records on the current route stand at 21:07:17 by Jesse Rich in 2018 for men and 26:46:05 by Rebecca Hall in 2018 for women, both first-time Wasatch finishers who seized the challenging conditions that year. Elite repeat champions include Matthew Van Horn and Brian Robbins, who have multiple podium finishes since 2016, showcasing steady pacing and technical prowess on Utah’s rugged terrain. Nonbinary and adaptive division records have also been set in recent years, reflecting the race’s inclusive spirit. Historical winner lists are posted on the official results page, celebrating the diverse group of athletes who have conquered the mountain course.
Official Contact Info
For registration inquiries, lottery results, or detailed course questions, please email the race director at info@wasatch100.com. The official Wasatch Front 100 website provides up-to-date race notices, aid station maps, and mandatory gear downloads. Social media channels offer real-time updates during race weekend, while the website’s FAQ section addresses common logistical and safety questions. Keeping these contacts and resources handy ensures smooth communication before, during, and after this demanding endurance event.