Dear Runners,
We want to take a moment to remind everyone that the Eastern States 100 is an incredibly demanding race — one that requires a high level of preparation, experience, and respect for the trail.
In October 2023, the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance made the decision to remove the qualification standard of completing a 50-mile race for entry. Here’s who’s registered based on a random sample (100 runners) of this year’s registrations:
- 48% of participants would not have qualified under our previous standards.
- 38% of participants haven’t completed an ultra (50K or less).
- 22% of participants have never done a trail race…
We’re not here to discourage anyone from running Eastern States. As race directors, we’ve seen the most unexpected runners cross the finish line and achieve what others thought impossible. That said, Eastern States 100 is not a race to take lightly.
What to Expect on the Eastern States 100:
- Relentless Terrain: The course features multiple 900–1200 foot climbs and descents that will test even the most seasoned runners.
- Unforgiving Trails: Expect rocky, ankle-twisting paths that require focus and strength.
- Extreme Weather: The race takes place in August, where heat, humidity, and severe storms are not uncommon.
- Finish Rate: Since its start in 2014, the overall finish rate for ES100 is just 50.3%. In particularly hot years, the finish rate has dropped to the 30% range.
If you’re inexperienced or underprepared, the odds of failure here are very high. And failure doesn’t just impact you — a serious incident in a remote section of the course might mean hours in the wilderness waiting for extraction and a lot of race resources dedicated to one participant. We want you to arrive on race day prepared and for us to avoid bad situations at all costs.
What You Can Do:
What we are asking is that you:
- Do Your Homework: Study the course maps, read race reports, and talk to past participants.
- Self-Evaluate: Be honest with yourself about your fitness, training, and preparedness for a 100-mile race of this caliber.
- Train with Purpose: Commit to a training program that prepares you for steep climbs, rugged terrain, and long hours on your feet.
Eastern States 100 is a circumnavigation of Pine Creek in the PA Wilds — one of the most beautiful and challenging wildernesses you will find anywhere. But it will test you to your core.Thank you for respecting this course, this race, and your fellow participants. We look forward to seeing you at the start line.
Sincerely,
The Eastern States 100 Race Committee