The Eastern States 100 is a world-class wilderness ultra trail running experience and the final leg of the Pennsylvania triple crown of mountain running. The Eastern States is a 103-mile single-loop trail race (98% single/double-track) in the Wilds region of the Allegheny Plateau in north-central Pennsylvania. The race circumnavigates a portion of the stunning Pine Creek watershed, including some of our longest climbs and most technical and remote terrain. This difficult course of long climbs and technical terrain is a prestigious event that qualifies for both the Western States 100 and the UTBM World Series. Runners looking to push to their limits in the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic in August while covering 20K feet of elevation need to register right away! The event kicks off Friday evening when all participants need to pick up race bibs and swap bags at Little Pine State Park. Race day begins Saturday at 3:30 am when breakfast is available before the pre-race briefing at the starting line. Runners take off at 5:00 am and have 36 hours to complete the course; the official cutoff is 5:00 pm on Sunday.
For the event, there are specific guidelines for Drop Bags that you can find and download on the website, as well as safety rules, course maps, and further instructions for pacers and volunteers. Supporters are welcome to watch and are available to gather at Aid stations with easy access and adequate parking. There are 18 aid stations along the course, and the guide includes what is available at each; hydration, nutrition, restroom, and the cutoff times based on arrival. The post-race meal will be held on Sunday from Waterville Fire Company, where crew and spectators can purchase food. The Runners Only section is available for participants and volunteers.
Other Pennsylvania Triple Crown events include the Hyner 50k in April and the Worlds End 100k in June.
The Western States 100 is the grandaddy of ultra-running events. It is an epic 100-mile trail run from Olympic Valley to Auburn, CA, in one day on the last weekend of June. It is the world’s oldest 100 trail race, starting in 1974 as one of the ultimate endurance tests. Over the course, runners will climb more than 18,000 feet and descend 23,000 feet. See the dedicated Western States Endurance Run website for details on the lottery process, training, support, and volunteer opportunities. Participants must qualify for the race within two years and enter the lottery. If you are selected as part of the lottery, you are officially sent details to register within two weeks. If not completed in time, the registration will be available to runners on the waitlist of 50-75 people.
UTMB World Series is the ultimate global trail running series uniting the sport’s biggest stars and amateur runners through a leading international event series in the most stunning locations. The UTMB World Series gives all trail runners a chance to experience UTMB events worldwide, with 25 events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas in 2022. It is the only place runners can begin their quest to UTMB Mont-Blanc, home of the prestigious UTMB World Series Finals. The UTMB World Series integrates three levels of events:
- UTMB World Series Finals
- UTMB World Series Majors
- UTMB World Series Events
To qualify to enter the lottery for Finals or Major events, you must collect a “Running Stone” by finishing qualifier events in the 20k, 50k, 100k, or 100M categories. Only 1 Running Stone acquired in the past two years is mandatory to enter the lottery. Running Stones are cumulative, have no expiration date, and each Running Stone gives you an additional chance to be drawn. Collecting Running Stones is the only way to access regular runners’ UTMB World Series Finals. Discover the 25 events that will allow you to collect Running Stones in 2022 to enter the UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery from 2023 onwards here.
Route map for Eastern States 100 Course 2021 by Benjamin Mazur on plotaroute.com
