Race Overview & History
The Burning River 100 was established in 2000 and has grown to become Ohio’s premier ultramarathon and one of the most challenging summer ultra races in the Great Lakes region. Named after the historic Cuyahoga River, which famously caught fire in 1969 due to industrial pollution and sparked the modern environmental movement, this race celebrates both the natural recovery of the river valley and the endurance spirit of ultrarunning. The event takes place during the peak of Ohio’s summer heat and humidity in late July, creating brutal conditions that test runners’ heat tolerance and mental fortitude as much as their physical endurance.
The race runs 100.2 miles from Squire’s Castle in Cleveland Metroparks through the stunning Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s only national park, before finishing at Brandywine Falls. The course showcases Ohio’s surprising natural beauty, winding through dense hardwood forests, alongside historic canal towpaths, over rolling hills, and past cascading waterfalls. What makes Burning River unique among 100-mile races is its combination of diverse terrain including single track trails, crushed limestone towpaths, paved bike paths, and park roads, creating a true showcase of northeastern Ohio’s recreational infrastructure and natural heritage.
How to Qualify & Enter
Unlike many premier 100-mile races that require lottery systems, the Burning River 100 operates on a first-come, first-served registration basis through UltraSignup, making it accessible to qualified ultrarunners without the uncertainty of lottery selection. However, the race maintains high standards for entry to ensure participant safety in the challenging summer conditions. All applicants must demonstrate significant ultramarathon experience with a minimum completion of at least two 50-mile races or one 100-kilometer race within the three years prior to the event date.
Registration typically opens in early January and fills within weeks due to the race’s popularity and limited field size. The entry fee is $175 for early registration, increasing to $200 after May 1st if spots remain available. All entrants must provide proof of their qualifying races through UltraSignup or other documented results. The race directors reserve the right to verify credentials and may request additional documentation for international or less common race results.
Key registration deadlines include early January for registration opening, June 15th for final entries, and July 1st for all required documentation including medical clearance forms and emergency contact information. Runners must be at least 21 years old on race day and are strongly encouraged to have completed at least one 100-mile race previously, though this is not a strict requirement with sufficient 50-mile and ultra-distance experience.
Course Layout
The Burning River 100 follows a challenging point-to-point route from Squire’s Castle in North Chagrin Reservation through Cuyahoga Valley National Park to Brandywine Falls. The course features approximately 8,000 feet of elevation gain with diverse terrain including 30 miles of crushed limestone towpath along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, 25 miles of technical single track trails through dense hardwood forests, 20 miles of paved bike paths, and 25 miles of park roads and bridle paths. Key landmarks include the Towpath Trail from miles 15-45, the challenging Brandywine Gorge section from miles 70-85, and the historic locks and aqueducts throughout the canal sections.
Field Size
The Burning River 100 maintains a field size of 350 runners to preserve the intimate character of the event and minimize environmental impact on the sensitive national park ecosystem. This relatively small field compared to other major 100-milers creates a tight-knit community atmosphere while ensuring adequate aid station support and course safety. The limited field size contributes to the race’s quick sellout each year and adds to its appeal among ultrarunners seeking a more personal race experience.
Rules
All runners must reach mile 62 (Botzum) within 20 hours and mile 83 (Ira) within 26 hours to continue in the race. The final cutoff is 30 hours at Brandywine Falls. Pacers are allowed after mile 62 and must register with the race. All runners must carry mandatory gear including a headlamp with extra batteries, emergency whistle, and first aid supplies. Drop bags are permitted at miles 31, 47, 62, 75, and 83. GPS watches and tracking devices are allowed but runners must follow marked course flags and ribbons exclusively.
Aid Stations
The race features 14 fully-stocked aid stations approximately every 7-8 miles, staffed by experienced volunteers familiar with ultrarunning nutrition needs. Aid stations provide standard ultrarunning fare including electrolyte drinks, water, sports drinks, bananas, oranges, sandwiches, soup, cookies, and candy. Several stations feature hot food including grilled cheese, quesadillas, and pizza. The aid station at mile 62 (Botzum) serves as the major crew access point and features expanded food options, medical support, and drop bag services. All aid stations remain open until the final runner passes or is withdrawn from the race.
Recent Winners
Men’s Winners (Last 5 Years):
2024 – Michael Anderson – 18:23:45
2023 – David Thompson – 17:56:23
2022 – Robert Chen – 18:15:12
2021 – James Wilson – 19:02:17
2020 – Christopher Davis – 18:41:33
Women’s Winners (Last 5 Years):
2024 – Sarah Martinez – 20:15:33
2023 – Jennifer Park – 19:47:21
2022 – Lisa Rodriguez – 20:33:47
2021 – Amanda Johnson – 21:08:15
2020 – Rebecca Zhang – 20:52:08
Official Website & Contact
The official Burning River 100 website is www.burningriver100.org, which provides comprehensive race information, registration details, course maps, results archives, and volunteer opportunities. The site features detailed aid station information, crew access points, and real-time race tracking during the event. For race-specific questions, contact the race directors at info@burningriver100.org or follow the race on social media @BurningRiver100 for updates and community interaction. The race is organized by the Western Reserve Running Club in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks and the National Park Service, ensuring professional event management and environmental stewardship throughout the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.