Eastern States 100 Race Guide

The Eastern States 100 is a premier wilderness ultramarathon that tests even the hardest trail runners each August in north-central Pennsylvania. This 103-mile single-loop course circumnavigates the Pine Creek Gorge watershed, delivering one of the most scenic yet demanding endurance challenges on the East Coast. Runners face relentless mountain terrain, technical single- and double-track trails, and often intense summer heat and humidity. From Little Pine State Park at the start to the same finish line 36 hours later, athletes must be prepared for both the physical and mental trials that define this event.

When It Is Run

The race takes place annually in early August, with the upcoming edition held on August 9–10, 2025. Participants gather at Little Pine State Park for a 5:00 AM Saturday start, racing through midday Sunday. Pre-race festivities, including bib pickup and course briefing, occur the day before at the park pavilion. Weather can range from cool mornings near 50°F to daytime highs in the low 80s, so runners should expect significant temperature swings over the two days.

How to Qualify or Register

Eastern States 100 maintains a strict qualification standard to ensure runners possess adequate trail experience. Prospective entrants must have completed at least one officially organized 50 K trail race within its published cutoff time between January 1, 2024, and the registration date. Registration opens each October via RunSignup, and spaces fill rapidly, often requiring a waitlist. Runners without a qualifying race result are not accepted, and race management enforces the standard without exception.

Particular Challenges

The Eastern States 100 is notorious for its punishing vertical profile and rugged footing, earning nicknames like “Rocksylvania.” Competitors climb over 20,000 feet on trails littered with slick rocks, roots, and occasional ledges that demand constant attention. In addition to the grueling ascents and descents, the remoteness of the backcountry course provides minimal respite and requires self-reliance between aid stations. August weather in the Pennsylvania Wilds can bring oppressive heat, high humidity, and sudden thunderstorms, all of which compound fatigue and test gear choices and hydration strategies.

Course Format

This ultramarathon unfolds on a single large loop, beginning and ending at Little Pine State Park. The first leg heads west toward Hyner Run State Park before swinging north near Blackwell village and then turning south to return. The loop design spares runners from retracing their steps, but it also means that every mile presents new terrain and fresh climbs. Throughout the 103 miles, runners traverse storied footpaths such as the Mid State Trail, Black Forest Trail, and Donut Hole Trail, creating a mosaic of scenic vistas and rugged wilderness.

Elevation Profile

Over the course of 103 miles, runners accumulate more than 20,000 feet of elevation gain and an equivalent loss. The lowest point sits at Little Pine State Park near 830 feet, while the highest trail segments crest above 2,000 feet at Gillespie Point on the West Rim. The ascent toward Ramsey Road around mile 4 and the climb up Gillespie Point around mile 60 stand out as the steepest sections. Elevation changes are relentless: long climbs are often followed by technical descents, ensuring there is no prolonged reprieve from the up-and-down nature of the Allegheny Plateau.

Terrain Breakdown

Nearly the entire course—about 98%—runs on single-track or double-track trail surfaces that range from packed dirt to loose rock and exposed roots. The remaining 2% comprises gravel forest roads and old railroad grades that link major trail segments. Technical footing is the norm, with moss-covered stones in stream beds and occasional muddy fords demanding steady foot placement. Runners must be prepared for a variety of trail conditions, from smooth ridge-top runs to narrow hollow paths lined with laurel and rhododendron.

Time Limit & Cutoffs

There is an overall time limit of 36 hours to complete the 103 mile loop, closing at 5:00 PM on Sunday. Seventeen well-stocked aid stations are strategically spaced along the route to support runners with food, water, and medical assistance. While specific intermediate cutoff times vary each year, runners are expected to adhere to posted station closing times or face removal from the course. Meeting each cutoff is crucial to ensure runner safety and to remain in the official results.

Aid Stations

The Eastern States 100 course features seventeen well-stocked aid stations spaced roughly every five to eight miles, providing runners with food, water, and medical assistance throughout the 103-mile loop. Crew access is permitted only at six designated stations, including the start/finish at Little Pine State Park, Lower Pine Bottom (AS3), Hyner Run (AS7), Slate Run (AS10), Blackwell (AS13), and Barrens (AS15). Runners may leave drop bags at the registration pavilion before the start, which race staff transports to those same six crew-accessible stations, ensuring vital supplies are waiting exactly where and when they’re needed. Each aid station also offers basic restroom facilities and pacer check-in points for registered pacers joining at authorized locations.

Mandatory Gear

All participants must carry a functioning headlamp before dawn and after dusk, with backup lighting strongly recommended to navigate the rocky trails in darkness safely. Runners are required to carry an emergency blanket to guard against hypothermia during unexpected weather changes or nighttime hours. A whistle is mandatory for signaling in case of injury or disorientation in the remote backcountry, while sufficient water‐carrying capacity must cover at least the distance to the next aid station under high‐heat conditions. Additionally, a small first‐aid kit including bandages and blister care is part of the essential gear checklist to address minor injuries on the trail.

Crew & Pacing

Support crews play a vital role in a runner’s race by providing nutrition, encouragement, and gear exchanges, but may only meet their runner at the designated crew-accessible aid stations. Each runner is allowed one crew vehicle per aid station to minimize traffic and environmental impact along narrow forest roads. Pacers are permitted to join registered runners beginning at Hyner Run (AS7) and must check in and out with race officials at each station where they enter or exit the course. Pacers may offer moral support and assist at aid stations but may not carry their runner’s supplies between stations or physically assist the runner on the trail, preserving the integrity of the individual effort.

Navigation

The entire route is marked continuously with orange survey ribbon and arrow signs, with highly reflective tape placed after aid station eight for overnight visibility. Runners must remain vigilant at intersections, as missing a turn can add miles or require backtracking in remote terrain. Carrying a GPS device or mapping app is strongly advised for additional course verification, although runners are ultimately responsible for following the marked route. Regular updates to the course markings ensure accuracy, but unpredictable storms can down ribbons, so backup navigational awareness remains essential.

Finish Rates

Since its inception in 2014, the Eastern States 100 has maintained a finish rate averaging just under 50 percent, highlighting the course’s relentless difficulty and variable summer conditions. In scorching years, the finish percentage can dip into the low 30s, underscoring the need for thorough training and adequate pacing strategies. Cooler or milder summers have pushed the completion rate closer to 58 percent, yet more than four out of ten entrants typically record a DNF. Aspiring finishers should prepare for the mental challenge of night running and the physical toll of back-to-back climbs and descents through rugged wilderness.

Special Features

Completing the Eastern States 100 earns participants the coveted belt buckle, an ultrarunning tradition symbolizing success against a grueling trail challenge. The race culminates in an awards ceremony honoring top male and female finishers, as well as special recognition for veterans, masters, and trail-sister participants. Course records stand as benchmarks of excellence: Devon Olson holds the men’s record at 20 hours, 30 minutes, and 36 seconds set in 2016, while Kathleen Cusick’s 24 hours, 48 minutes, and 57 seconds from 2014 remains the women’s standard. The loop’s scenery, traversing Pine Creek Gorge—often called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon—adds a spectacular backdrop to this graduate-level endurance test.

Previous Winners

Devon Olson’s blistering 20:30:36 run in 2016 remains the fastest men’s time on the rugged loop, showcasing unmatched power on steep climbs and technical descents. Kathleen Cusick’s inaugural 2014 effort of 24:48:57 set an early high bar, demonstrating both strategy and resilience across nearly 25 hours of trail. Though winners emerge from diverse backgrounds, shared traits include meticulous prep, mental toughness, and respect for the Allegheny Plateau’s unforgiving terrain. Each champion’s performance continues to inspire the growing field of athletes who seek to conquer this East Coast classic.

Official Contact Info

For registration questions, course details, and volunteer inquiries, visit easternstates100.com or email the race office at info@easternstates100.com. The Race Director can be reached via the contact form on the official website, where updates on qualifications, weather advisories, and aid station changes appear as they become available. Stay connected through the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance’s social media channels for live race tracking, post-race reports, and community support. For urgent matters during race weekend, on-site communications are managed from the command bus at Little Pine State Park’s day-use area.