Eastern States Summary
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 that includes some of our longest climbs and most technical and remote terrain. It visits storied trails like the Mid State Trail and the Black Forest Trail, and accumulates over 20,000 feet of climbing in the process — all in the glorious heat and humidity of August. This is graduate-level trail running that will both test and fulfill you in so many ways.
Eastern States Timeline
Race Date: August 8 and 9, 2026
Tuesday (August 4th)
7:00pm Race Briefing Live Stream (YouTube and Facebook)
Friday (August 7th)
1:30-6:30pm: Start/Finish: Pavilion #2 (between the parking lot and the lake) at Little Pine State Park
-Bib Pick Up/Confirmation (Mandatory for all runners)
-Games and Activities
*All runners must check in with picture ID to receive their bibs and also must check in again race morning if picking up their bibs on Friday afternoon.
Saturday (August 8th):
3:30-4:45: Race Check-in (Mandatory check-in)
3:30-4:45: Drop bag drop-off at Drop Bag Pavilion (Pavilion #1)
Fresh-brewed Bason Coffee and breakfast available!
4:45am: Pre-race briefing (at the start line)
5:00am: Start
6:11am: Sunrise
5:21pm: Moonset (Waxing Crescent 27.3%)
8:17pm: Sunset
Sunday (August 9th)
1:01am: Moonrise
6:12am: Sunrise
5:00pm: Cutoff (36 hours)
Qualification Standard
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
All participants must complete at least one advertised 50K trail race within the official cut-off time prior to registering for Eastern States 100.
The qualifying race must take place between January 1, 2024, and the date of registration.
The race must be an officially organized trail event with publicly available results (e.g., posted on Ultrasignup or a race/timing website).
Non-Qualifying Events
The following do not meet the qualification requirement:
Timed events (e.g., 12-hour, 24-hour races)
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Obstacle Course Races (OCR)
Biathlon/Triathlon events (unless the run portion is a 50K trail race with official results)
Completion Requirement
The qualifying 50K must be completed prior to registration. Registrants who do not meet this requirement will not be accepted.
Race management is absolute regarding the 50K requirement.
Limited flexibility on the January 1, 2024, date may be granted only in extraordinary life circumstances (e.g., military service, pregnancy).
Rationale
The 50K requirement is a necessary entry standard. Since its inception in 2014, Eastern States 100 has an overall finish rate of 49%, with finish rates dropping into the 30% range during hot years. The course features relentless climbs, rugged trails, and frequent severe weather. Runners without adequate preparation and trail experience are highly likely to fail.
Participant Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each participant to research the course, review maps, read race reports, and seek advice from past finishers before entering.
Race management will not provide individualized assessments of readiness. If you need to ask whether you are prepared, the answer is likely “no.”
Our Other Races
The Ironstone 100K. Legs of Iron. Resolve Like a Stone.
No pacers. Minimal Aid Stations. 2 p.m. Start.
Ironstone 100K is a savage point-to-point 100 kilometer ultramarathon on the wildest trails in the Alleghenies. Amazing in its terrain and rich in heritage, the ultramarathon starts at Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County and utilizes the Standing Stone, Mid State, and Lower Trails before ending in Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County.
With its unforgiving technical terrain, it has earned a spot as one of the most challenging ultras in the region, on par with races like Eastern States 100, Black Forest 100K and Worlds End Ultramarathon.
The race begins at 2pm in Canoe Creek State Park and soon travels along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River on the Lower Trail – a fast and flat section of rail trail.
The most unique feature of the Ironstone 100K is the ridge running atop Tussey Mountain on one of the longest named ridges in the Appalachians – a folded and fractured ridgeline of sandstone and quartzite – on the Mid State Trail. Other features include old-growth pines at Alan Seeger Natural Area, a mountain pass at Little Juniata Natural Area, craggy ledges at Indian Wells and eventually onto the Standing Stone Trail and to the finish at the historic Greenwood Furnace State Park.
Eagleton Trail Challenge
Experience the untamed beauty of PA’s Wilds in an unforgettable spring race that takes runners from ancient river to a high plateau on scenic single-track trails, blending history, adventure, and personal triumph.
Welcome to the Eagleton Trail Challenge, just outside of Lock Haven, PA – the trailrunning capital of the East Coast.
Have you been considering a trail 10km, 25km, or even 50km? Well, this is your chance to give it a try! This is a milder and more runnable course than some other local races, with less elevation change and less technicality!
Now don’t let that make you think that you can just show up and finish the race like it’s some local 5k road race. It still requires you to train and be fully prepared to meet the demands of a trail race. Enjoy beautiful trails in the springtime in the PA Wilds.
This 50K course will take trekkers from the starting area, passing along the Eagleton Road Demonstration Forest trail, and then to the first aid station @ the Eastern Trailhead of the Eagleton Mine Camp Trail. Following the course, trekkers will make way to the Western Trailhead, and along several other trails, eventually coming back into the Eastern Trailhead before hitting the return trail to the finish.
Our Partners
Trail Sisters was created to constitute for an equitable outdoors both recreationally and throughout the industry. Female voice and representation are essential in the future of our outdoors, impacting the role we play both on and off the trails.
To break through long-standing barriers, Trail Sisters generates educational content and resources, while fostering an inspirational community that encourages self-advocacy and life-long friendships. Eastern States 100 is proud to be Trail Sisters Approved.