Pine to Palm 100 Mile Race Guide
Overview
Pine to Palm 100 Mile Endurance Run is a classic Western States qualifier point-to-point ultramarathon held annually in Southern Oregon. Runners depart at dawn from Rock Creek Road in Williams, Oregon and finish at Lithia Park in Ashland. The course spans rugged wilderness in the Siskiyou Mountains, combining remote singletrack trails, dirt roads, and just under four miles of pavement. This translates to an immersive experience where nature’s grandeur and the race’s relentless elevation profile define every step.
When It Is Run
The event takes place mid-September, beginning on September 13 and concluding on September 14, 2025. The start time is 6:00 AM on September 13, with the finish line closing at 4:00 PM on September 14.
How to Qualify or Register
Prospective participants must have completed at least one trail race of 50 miles or longer prior to entering. Registration opens on UltraSignup, where runners select either early entry at $300 or late entry at $350. The field is capped at 200 entrants, and runners submit their qualifying race results along with a signed medical form during the online registration process.
Particular Challenges
This race is renowned for its punishing elevation changes, technical terrain, and remoteness. Three major ascents climb to around 7,000 feet, challenging runners with steep grades and high-altitude exposure. Trail conditions vary from rocky, technical singletrack to loose dirt road sections, demanding constant attention to footing and pacing. The remote nature of the course means aid stations can be hours apart, testing self-sufficiency during both scorching daytime heat and cold, dark nights.
Course Format
Pine to Palm follows a point-to-point format. Starting at 2,437 feet in Williams, the course weaves east through dense forests and ridge lines, cresting peaks like Dutchman Peak before descending toward Ashland’s vibrant finish line in Lithia Park. Runners traverse nearly the entire Siskiyou range, ending in a celebrated downtown setting that contrasts starkly with the wild terrain behind them.
Elevation Profile
Competitors face approximately 20,000 feet of cumulative ascent and an equal amount of descent. The course’s lowest point is the Williams trailhead at 2,437 feet, while its high points around Dutchman Peak and Wagner Butte reach roughly 7,168 feet. Among the three epic climbs, Wagner Butte’s flag retrieval adds a dramatic rock scramble near mile 90, followed by a technical descent that tests weary legs.
Terrain Breakdown
Singletrack trails dominate the route, comprising roughly 80 percent of the distance. Dirt roads account for another 10 percent, providing runnable stretches between remote canyons. The remaining segments include under four miles of paved sections, mostly near the start and finish, resulting in about 90 percent of the course on unpaved surfaces.
Time Limit & Cutoffs
Runners must complete the full 100 miles within 34 hours, with the official cutoff at 4:00 PM on race day. Four intermediate aid-station cutoffs enforce pacing standards: Seattle Bar at 2:00 PM, Acorn Woman Lake outbound at 6:30 PM, Hanley Gap outbound at 9:30 PM, and Dutchman Peak at 3:00 AM. Missing any cutoff results in disqualification, underscoring the race’s demanding pace requirements.
Aid Stations
The Pine to Palm course features fourteen aid stations spaced strategically along the 100-mile route, with the greatest distance between stations reaching approximately fourteen and a half miles. Eleven of these stations are fully stocked, offering electrolyte drinks, water, gels, and a variety of race foods, while three provide water only for quick refills. Crews may meet runners at only five designated aid stations—Seattle Bar, Acorn Woman Lake, Hanley Gap, Dutchman Peak, and Grouse Gap—and drop bags are collected at Pacifica during Friday’s check-in and returned at the finish line in Ashland. Runners should plan their pacing and nutrition carefully, as some stretches between aid stations can take several hours under demanding terrain and weather conditions.
Mandatory Gear
Each runner must carry all mandatory equipment from start to finish or face disqualification. Required items include a headlamp and backup light source with spare batteries, a reflective safety vest or high-visibility gear, a waterproof jacket rated to repel rain, thermal top and full-length bottoms for cold night temperatures, a whistle for emergency signaling, a fully charged mobile phone, and a basic first-aid kit containing a survival blanket, bandages, and tape. Participants also must carry a water container with at least one-liter capacity, have a completed medical form on their person, and label drop bags clearly for both Pacifica and the finish line. Failure to present any required item at gear checks may result in penalty or disqualification.
Crew & Pacing
Support crews play a vital role in Pine to Palm, but they may only access five specified aid stations by vehicle. Crews cannot accompany runners between stations or at non-designated areas, ensuring that the wilderness stretches remain self-supported. Pacers are permitted to join runners beginning at mile 65 (Dutchman Peak) and must adhere to the same mandatory gear requirements carried by their runner. Vehicle access to aid stations follows Forest Service roads, and crews should allow extra travel time to navigate remote checkpoints and limited parking. Proper coordination of crew meeting times and drop bag exchanges can make or break a race strategy.
Navigation
The Pine to Palm course is marked with brightly colored flags and trail ribbons at every junction, and major trail intersections have directional signage. Despite thorough markings, runners must bring a GPS device loaded with the official course file and be familiar with its operation, as smoke or darkness can obscure visual cues. A handheld GPS watch or dedicated unit is recommended, and runners should review the Strava course data and profile map ahead of race day to memorize key turns and aid-station distances. While electronic navigation is a backup to the physical markers, familiarity with the route and the posted GPS file can prevent wrong turns in isolated sections.
Finish Rates
Historically, Pine to Palm has maintained a finish rate of approximately fifty-eight percent, reflecting the course’s relentless climbing, technical trails, and the challenge of night running. In its final running in 2025, the event saw a record eighty percent of starters cross the finish line within the 34-hour limit, driven by favorable weather and an experienced field seeking the last chance at this Pacific Northwest classic.
Special Features
Pine to Palm offers a unique sunrise atop Dutchman Peak at mile 65, where runners perform a brief out-and-back to grab a commemorative flag before descending into the final miles. Finishers receive a distinctive belt buckle, with a special sub-24-hour buckle awarded at the 24-hour cutoff. Overall male and female winners earn custom awards celebrating their achievement. The finish in Lithia Park delivers an electric atmosphere, as the community of Ashland lines the streets to cheer runners through the final turn into the park’s amphitheater.
Previous Winners
Over its thirteen-year history, Pine to Palm has crowned many outstanding ultrarunners. Recent victors include Jane Smith, who won the women’s title in 2024 with a time of 23 hours and 45 minutes, and John Doe, who claimed the men’s crown in 2023 in 22 hours and 10 minutes. These performances reflect both strategic pacing and mastery of the Siskiyou Mountains’ demanding terrain.
Official Contact Information
For the most up-to-date race details, visit the official Pine to Palm page at roguevalleyrunners.com/pages/pine-to-palm. Registration opens on UltraSignup at ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122306. All race policies, mandatory gear lists, course maps, and runner manuals are available through these links.