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!

• Location: 4205 Little Pine Creek Road, Waterville, PA
• Date: 2025-08-09
• Website: Eastern States 100
• Distance: 103 miles

🏞️ Course Description

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.

• Trail Experience: Scenic and challenging trails in Pennsylvania.
• Key Trails: The Mid State Trail, Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail, Donut Hole Trail, and more.
• Topography: Includes numerous climbs and descents.
• Wildlife: Potential sightings of deer, bear, bald eagles, and rattlesnakes.

🌲 Village Highlights

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.

• South End: Ramsey – residential area.
• North End: Blackwell – historic hotel and shops.
• Unique Features: One lane steel grate bridge and Gillespie Point.
• Scenic Views: Panoramic vistas throughout the course.

⚠️ Course Challenges

In between is 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. 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.

• Terrain: Rocky hollows and hilly landscapes throughout the course.
• Aid Stations: Regularly stocked to assist runners.
• Local Trails: Traverse various significant local trails.
• Civilization: Limited visitation to small towns and state parks.

✅ Qualifying Information

We no longer require a qualifying race to enter Eastern States. We’ve found that success at other races and shorter distances has little bearing on your ability to succeed here, so we leave it up to you to decide if you are capable and ready for our mountains. But please believe us when we say that our climbs are relentless, our trails are rough, our weather can be hot, storms are frequent and sometimes severe... if you are inexperienced or underprepared, you are likely to fail here. (Consider that the overall finish rate at ES100 since our start in 2014 is 50.3%, and has been in the 30%s in the hot years.)

• Entry Requirement: No longer require a qualifying race.
• Preparation: Important to be capable and ready for the challenges.
• Finish Rate: Historically around 50.3% since 2014.
• Research: Suggested to check maps and read race reports.