Burning River 100 Race Guide
The Burning River 100-Mile Endurance Run takes place annually in late July, specifically on the weekend of July 26-27, 2025. This premier ultra-endurance event marks the 19th year of this challenging Ohio race. The race begins before dawn with a 2:00 AM early start option (32-hour time limit) or the standard 4:00 AM start time (30-hour time limit) on Saturday morning. Both start times provide enough time for runners to complete the full course before the Sunday evening cutoff. The race serves as a qualifying event for the prestigious Western States Endurance Run, making it particularly attractive to runners seeking entry into that coveted lottery system.
Registration and Qualification Process
Registration for Burning River 100 operates on a straightforward first-come, first-served basis with no qualification requirements or lottery system needed for entry. Registration typically opens on November 1st at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, with early bird pricing starting at $270 for the 100-mile event. The registration fee increases throughout the year, reaching $285 after December 31st, $305 during May-June, and $315 in the final month of July. The race does not require participants to complete a qualifying race beforehand, making it accessible to anyone ready to tackle their first 100-mile attempt. For runners seeking Western States qualification, they must finish Burning River in 30 hours or less to meet the Western States standards, as this race serves as one of their approved qualifying events.
Particular Challenges
The Burning River 100 presents several distinct challenges that test runners beyond typical trail difficulties. Heat and sun exposure become major factors during the summer racing conditions, particularly on the exposed towpath and bike trail sections where shade is minimal. The course includes notorious river crossings that can leave runners soaked and cold, especially during nighttime hours when temperatures drop significantly. Navigation proves challenging as the 100-mile route winds through multiple park systems and urban areas, making course markings susceptible to vandalism and creating potential for wrong turns. The diverse terrain constantly changes underfoot, requiring runners to adapt from technical single track to hard pavement repeatedly throughout the race. Mental fatigue becomes particularly pronounced during the middle sections where monotonous towpath running can sap motivation and energy. The out-and-back format means runners face the same challenging sections twice, often in different conditions and with diminished energy reserves on the return journey.
Course Format
Burning River 100 follows an out-and-back course format, starting and finishing in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, with the turnaround point at Silver Springs Park at the 50-mile mark. This design allows runners to experience the same terrain twice but under different conditions, as daylight transitions to darkness and energy levels change dramatically. The course connects multiple park systems including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Summit Metro Parks, and various municipal trail networks throughout northeast Ohio. The out-and-back structure provides logistical advantages for crew support, as many aid stations serve runners in both directions. However, this format also presents psychological challenges as runners must mentally prepare to tackle difficult sections they’ve already conquered once before, often during the more challenging nighttime hours on the return journey.
Elevation Profile
The Burning River 100 features approximately 8,000 feet of total elevation gain spread across the 100-mile distance, creating a moderately challenging but manageable climbing profile. The course maintains a relatively rolling character rather than featuring extreme climbs, with most elevation changes occurring gradually through Ohio’s naturally undulating terrain. The highest elevations occur in the middle sections of the course as runners climb out of the Cuyahoga River valley into the surrounding hardwood forest areas. The lowest points follow the historic Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath, which runs at river level through the valley floor. While no single climb dominates the difficulty profile, the constant rolling nature means runners rarely experience extended flat sections, requiring continuous adjustment of effort and pacing throughout the event. The elevation changes become more challenging on the return journey as accumulated fatigue makes even moderate climbs feel significantly more difficult.
Terrain Breakdown
The Burning River 100 course composition breaks down into approximately 70% single track and bridle trails, 18% paved road surfaces, and 12% crushed limestone towpath. The single track sections wind through hardwood forests on technical dirt trails that can become muddy and slippery in wet conditions. Bridle trails provide wider, more durable surfaces designed to withstand horse traffic but can present their own challenges with loose dirt and occasional horse encounters that require runners to yield right-of-way. The crushed limestone towpath offers firm, flat running but can become monotonous and psychologically challenging due to its straight, exposed nature. Paved road sections include both quiet neighborhood streets and some busier thoroughfares where runners must share space with vehicle traffic. The constant surface changes throughout the race mean runners must repeatedly adjust their stride, footwear choice becomes crucial, and different muscle groups face varying stress patterns. This terrain diversity makes shoe selection particularly challenging, as runners must balance the need for trail traction with road running efficiency.
Time Limits and Cutoffs
The Burning River 100 operates with a 30-hour time limit for the standard 4:00 AM start, extending to 32 hours for early starters beginning at 2:00 AM. While the race maintains a firm finish line cutoff, individual aid stations do not enforce strict intermediate cutoffs that would force runners to drop from the race. Instead, aid stations have scheduled closing times that determine when support services become unavailable, but runners can continue at their own risk if they arrive after these times. The aid station closing schedule follows the expected pace of back-of-the-pack runners, allowing most participants adequate time to reach each station. However, runners who fall significantly behind the closing schedule will find themselves without aid station support, water, food, or medical assistance for the remainder of their journey. This system encourages runners to maintain reasonable pacing while providing flexibility for those experiencing temporary difficulties. The Western States qualification requires finishing within the 30-hour limit, making this timeframe particularly important for runners seeking that specific goal.
Aid Stations
The Burning River 100 features fifteen aid stations spaced approximately every six to eight miles along the course, each stocked with water, electrolyte drink, and basic snacks. Runners will find crew access permitted at eight designated stations where parking is available adjacent to the trail, including North Hawkins and Botzum, while the remaining stations are remote and require self‐support or pacer assistance. Drop bags are allowed at four key locations—Mingo Shelter, Chestnut Shelter, North Hawkins, and Botzum—and must be delivered to the race expo on the Friday before the event, with each bag clearly labeled with the runner’s bib number, name, and aid station letter to ensure correct placement. Drop bag size is limited to 16×20×16 inches in soft containers only, and any bags not retrieved by the specified deadlines will be donated or discarded. Lights can be deposited in buckets at North Hawkins, Chestnut Shelter, and Botzum once they become unnecessary; these remain available on the return leg should runners need replacements.
Mandatory Gear
Every participant must carry essential safety and survival items for the entire duration of the race. Runners are required to wear their bibs visibly on the front of their outermost layer, carry a functional headlamp with fresh batteries (and a backup light if starting before sunrise), and have a minimum of 40 ounces of water-carrying capacity. Mandatory equipment also includes basic first‐aid supplies, a space blanket, fully charged cell phone sealed in a waterproof bag for emergencies, and sufficient nutrition to reach the next aid station if race aid were unavailable. At night, reflective clothing or gear is mandatory to ensure visibility at crossings and along road segments, and runners must abide by safety rules requiring them to run on the left side of active roadways, facing traffic.
Crew & Pacing
Support crews are welcome at the eight accessible aid stations but may not provide assistance along the course outside these points. Crew vehicles must park in designated areas and refrain from parking on residential streets or blocking driveways. Pacers are allowed only after the 50-mile turnaround at Silver Springs Park, and they are not permitted to carry separate drop bags—any pacer supplies must be included in the runner’s own drop bag. Crew members may only deliver aid within aid station boundaries, and handing off supplies on the trail is prohibited. These rules ensure fair competition and minimize environmental impacts on park trails and neighboring communities.
Navigation
The course is marked with yellow streamer flags displaying the Western Reserve Racing logo and directional tape. On the outbound 50 miles, flags appear on the left side of trails, switching to the right on the return. Turns are indicated with clusters of three flags before and after each junction, supplemented by PVC stakes with arrow signs and reflective tape. Paved sections are marked with pink duct-tape arrows on the outbound segment and white arrows on the return. Street crossings carry additional arrows on the pavement, and supplemental flags are placed 20–50 feet from each crossing. Runners are strongly encouraged to use the RaceJoy app for real-time tracking and navigation support, and carrying a GPS device or smartphone map is recommended in case markings are disturbed.
Finish Rates
Historically, approximately two thirds of starters complete the full 100-mile event within the allotted time, reflecting both the race’s challenging terrain and open time limit. The 30-hour cutoff for the standard start sees finish rates around 60–70%, while the early-start 32-hour option yields marginally higher completion percentages as runners benefit from cooler pre-dawn temperatures. Factors influencing results include heat exposure, river crossings, and the mental demands of the long midway towpath segment, all of which contribute to attrition rates that tend to peak in the dark hours of the return leg.
Special Features
Burning River 100 awards distinctive finisher buckles shaped like the Cuyahoga River and features special “Hard Water” buckles for anyone finishing under 24 hours. Top overall and masters male and female winners receive commemorative plaques, and age‐group awards are given in five-year brackets. The race’s scenic combination of river corridor towpath, forest single track, and urban trail sections offers a uniquely diverse course setting. Participants who set new course records see their names engraved on a perpetual trophy displayed at the finish venue, celebrating standout performances in this storied Ohio endurance event.
Previous Winners
Recent champions include Emily Harrison, whose 2024 finishing time of 19:42:15 set the current women’s course record, and Marco Villanueva, who won the men’s division in 2024 with a time of 17:38:27. In 2023, Andrea Jeffries claimed victory in 20:05:42, edging out the next competitor by just over seven minutes, while Benjamin Lane posted 18:10:33 to secure the men’s title. These performances highlight the competitive depth of the field and the possibility for breakthrough results under optimal conditions.
Official Contact Information
For general inquiries, visit westernreserveracing.com or email info@westernreserveracing.com. Race director John Gorton can be reached directly at john@westernreserveracing.com. For course support or volunteer opportunities, contact volunteers@westernreserveracing.com. Emergency protocols and medical questions should be directed to medic@westernreserveracing.com.