Eastern States 100 is 103 rocky miles with +20,000ft of elevation gain and a finisher rate of about 49 percent. Welcome to Pennsylvania!
Registration opens October 1st at 6pm EST.
Only the hardiest of runners will complete this circumnavigation of Pine Creek. A Pennsylvania Scenic River. The largest creek in the United States. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. The river route that supplied the lumber that built America. The Iroquois called it Tiadaghton – the River of Pines. Or is it the Lost or Bewildered River? After 100 miles of multiple 900 – 1200 foot climbs and equally punishing descents, the second definition will seem appropriate.
Runners will experience portions of some of the most scenic and most challenging trails in Pennsylvania. The Mid State Trail – Pennsylvania’s wildest footpath. The Black Forest Trail – the crown jewel of Pennsylvania’s long distance hiking trails featuring hills, rocks, and on average, a vista for every mile of trail. The West Rim Trail – a backpacker’s favorite for experiencing the Pine Creek Gorge. The Donut Hole Trail, the T-Squared Trail, the Long Branch Trail, the Tiadaghton Trail, and several shorter connector trails will round out the 100 mile loop.
Ramsey at the south end is nothing more than a collection of houses and seasonal residences. You will cross Pine Creek on a former railroad trestle before climbing to the panoramic Ramsey Bend Vista. The north end is Blackwell, a tiny village with the historic Blackwell Hotel restaurant/bar and a small convenience and gift store. You will cross a unique one lane steel grate bridge that bends in the middle prior to climbing Gillespie Point - The Matterhorn of the Alleghenies - the only true peak in Pennsylvania.
In between are miles of hills, rocky hollows, diverse forest and endless views. Wolf Path, Cougar Run, Hemlock Mountain, Jerry Run Falls, Panther Run, and the Algerine Wild Area are just some of the local trails you'll traverse. The course is full of single track, old logging roads and abandoned stone quarries. Deer, bear, bald eagles, and rattlesnakes may be seen. Other than the well-stocked aid stations we will provide, the only civilization centers you will pass through are Ramsey, Blackwell, Hyner Run State Park and Slate Run.
Qualifying for Eastern States
The Eastern States 100 is not an entry-level ultramarathon. The course terrain, elevation gain, and weather conditions present unique challenges that require significant prior trail running experience.
Minimum Qualification Requirement
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All participants must finished at least one advertised 50K trail race within the official cut-off time prior to registering/picked from the waitlist for Eastern States 100.
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The qualifying race must take place between January 1, 2024, and the date of registration/picked from the waitlist.
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The race must be an officially organized trail event with publicly available results (e.g., posted on Ultrasignup or a race/timing website).
Non-Qualifying Events
The following do not meet the qualification requirement:
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Timed events (e.g., 12-hour, 24-hour races)
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs), peak bagging or Long-Distance runs/hikes
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Obstacle Course Races (OCR)
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Biathlon/Triathlon events (unless the run portion is a 50K trail race with official results)
Completion Requirement
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The qualifying 50K must be completed prior to registration. Registrants who do not meet this requirement will not be accepted. Race management is absolute regarding the 50K requirement.
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Limited flexibility on the January 1, 2024, date may be granted only in extenuating life circumstances (e.g., military service, pregnancy).
Rationale
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Since the race began in 2014, Eastern States 100 has averaged just a 49% finish rate, dropping into the 30% range in hot years. High drop rates put extra strain on medical staff, logistics, and emergency crews—ultimately endangering both participants and volunteers.
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The 50K requirement ensures that the participant has experience in a race environment. The intent is to ensure both participants and the race itself meet a level of knowledge and expectations.
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Our course is unforgiving: relentless climbs, rugged terrain, and frequent severe weather. Without proper preparation and prior trail experience, runners are highly likely to fail.
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We’re keeping it simple and consistent (50K Trail event). No subjective calls. No debates about whether a certain course, run, or effort you completed is “hard enough.”
Participant Responsibility
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It is the responsibility of each participant to research the course, review maps, read race reports, and seek advice from past finishers before entering.
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Race management will not provide individualized assessments of readiness. If you need to ask whether you are prepared, the answer is likely “no.”
Supported vs. Unsupported Classes
At Eastern States 100, runners are classified into two categories:
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Supported – Crew assistance is allowed at designated crew-accessible aid stations, and pacers are permitted starting at approved points along the course.
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Unsupported – No crew and no pacers are allowed at any point during the race.
This classification helps maintain fairness, consistency, and clarity for all participants.
COMMOM QUESTIONS
Q: As an Unsupported Runner, can I have friends or family spectate?
A: Yes. Unlike some races that prohibit spectators for unsupported runners (on the theory that “emotional support” counts as aid), we are not that strict. Spectators are welcome at crew-designated aid stations only. They may not provide food, hydration, or equipment, nor may they spectate at non-crew aid stations or elsewhere along the course.
Q: What happens if I’m registered as Unsupported but end up needing crew or a pacer during the race?
A: You will not be disqualified. Instead, you will simply be reclassified as a Supported Runner. The same logic applies in reverse: if you begin as a Supported Runner but complete the race without crew or pacers, you will be listed as Unsupported.
Q: As an Unsupported Runner, can I use aid stations?
A: Absolutely. All runners, regardless of category, have full access to official aid stations. That includes food, hydration, medical care, and any services provided by race staff and volunteers.
Q: What recognition do I receive as an Unsupported Runner?
A: Unsupported runners primarily earn bragging rights and respect from the community. Unsupported finishes are not published in the official results and there is no overall award for the category. However, Unsupported finishers will receive a small memento in recognition of their accomplishment—for example, in past years we have awarded custom-designed glassware.
Q: Why make a distinction between Supported and Unsupported?
A: There are two main reasons:
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Recognition – We believe Unsupported participants deserve acknowledgment for tackling the course entirely on their own.
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Permitting – Our race permits from the Commonwealth are based on total human impact (participants, crew, volunteers, and vehicles), not just the number of runners. By creating an Unsupported category, crewed aid stations are less crowded, and we can responsibly increase our overall participant cap, giving more runners the opportunity to take part in Eastern States 100.