Eastern States 100

Race Overview

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.

Course Description

• Terrain: A circumnavigation of Pine Creek, Pennsylvania Scenic River, with multiple 900 – 1200 foot climbs.
• Scenic Trails: Includes the Mid State Trail, Black Forest Trail, and West Rim Trail among others.
• Local Landmarks: Cross the former railroad trestle and climb to Ramsey Bend Vista.
• Wildlife: Expect to see deer, bear, bald eagles, and rattlesnakes along the course.

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

• 50K Finish: Must have finished at least one advertised 50K trail race within the official cut-off time prior to registering.
• Timing: The qualifying race must take place between January 1, 2024, and the date of registration.
• Official Event: The race must be an officially organized trail event with publicly available results.

Non-Qualifying Events

• Timed Events: Includes 12-hour, 24-hour races.
• FKTs: Fastest Known Times, peak bagging, or Long-Distance runs/hikes.
• OCR: Obstacle Course Races.
• Biathlons/Triathlons: Unless the run portion is a 50K trail race.

Completion Requirement

• 50K Completion: Participants must complete the qualifying 50K prior to registration to be accepted.
• Flexibility: Limited flexibility on the January 1, 2024 date may be granted in extenuating circumstances.

Rationale

• Finish Rate: The race has averaged a 49% finish rate, dropping into the 30% range in hot years.
• Experience Requirement: Ensures participants have experience in a race environment.
• Course Difficulty: The course features relentless climbs, rugged terrain, and severe weather.
• Consistency: 50K Trail event requirement prevents subjective evaluations of readiness.

Participant Responsibility

• Course Research: Participants must research the course and seek advice from past finishers.
• Self-Assessment: Race management will not provide individualized assessments of readiness.

Supported vs. Unsupported Classes

• Supported: Crew assistance is allowed at designated aid stations, and pacers are permitted.
• Unsupported: No crew and no pacers are allowed during the race.

Common Questions

• Q: Can Unsupported runners have spectators?
  A: Yes, spectators are welcome at crew-designated aid stations, but may not provide aid.
• Q: What if I need crew or a pacer?
  A: You can be reclassified to Supported if needed, without disqualification.
• Q: Can Unsupported runners use aid stations?
  A: Yes, all runners have access to official aid stations.
• Q: What recognition do Unsupported runners receive?
  A: Unsupported finishers earn bragging rights and may receive a small memento.

For more information, visit the race page at Eastern States 100.