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C&O Canal 100
Race Details:
- Location: Knoxville, Brunswick, MD, United States
- Race Date: 04/24/2027
- Race Distances: 100 Mile, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: No
C&O Canal 100 Description
C&O Canal 100 takes place each spring at Camp Manidokan near Knoxville, Maryland, on an almost entirely flat course along the historic C&O Canal towpath between the Potomac River and the Appalachian foothills. The out-and-back route is broken into one roughly 40-mile out-and-back and two shorter 30-mile loops, all run on packed dirt and gravel towpath. As a Western States 100 qualifier with a 30-hour cutoff, it draws runners looking for a fast, low-drama course where pacing and consistency matter more than technical trail skill.
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C&O Canal 100 Additional Details:
With almost no elevation change across the entire 100 miles, C&O Canal 100 rewards even pacing over technical trail skills, and many runners use it specifically to chase a fast Western States qualifying time. Because the course is built from repeated out-and-back and loop segments centered at Camp Manidokan, crew and pacer access is straightforward, with the start/finish area doubling as a regular checkpoint throughout the race. April weather along the Potomac can vary from chilly mornings to mild afternoons, so layering options matter more than sun protection. The towpath’s hard-packed surface and gentle riverside scenery make for a meditative, steady-state kind of ultra, well suited to runners who want to focus on time on their feet rather than navigating elevation or technical terrain.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 30 hr
# of Finishers
100 Mile: 121 finishers (2025)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: Unknown
Elevation Loss: Unknown
Average Temperature
- Low: 40°F
- High: 63°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Plans for every ultra distance, from your first one to your longest day yet.
Things to Do in Knoxville, Brunswick, MD, United States
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
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