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
• URL: Eastern States 100 Race Page
• Elevation: +20,000 feet of climbs and descents

🌲 Course Highlights

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.

• Trails: Experience portions of some of the most scenic and most challenging trails in Pennsylvania.
• Main Trails: Mid State Trail, Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail, Donut Hole Trail, and more.
• Wildlife: Expect to see deer, bear, bald eagles, and rattlesnakes.
• Civilians: Only pass through Ramsey, Blackwell, Hyner Run State Park, and Slate Run.

🏞️ Course Description

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.

• Landmarks: Ramsey Bend Vista, Gillespie Point - The Matterhorn of the Alleghenies.
• Terrain: Miles of hills, rocky hollows, and diverse forests.
• Views: Endless views along the course with single track and old logging roads.
• Flora and Fauna: Traverse through Algerine Wild Area and see local wildlife.

📝 Qualifying for Eastern States

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.)

• Preparation: Check the maps, read race reports, and ask other runners.
• Decision: The choice to enter is yours: we advise thorough homework.
• Support: We will ignore emails asking if you're ready: if you have to ask, the answer is probably "no".
• Advice: Assess your capability realistically before signing up.