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Eastern States 100
Race Details:
- Location: Waterville, PA, USA
- Race Date: 08/14/2027
- Race Distances: 100 Mile, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: Yes
Eastern States 100 Description
Eastern States 100 sends runners on a full circumnavigation of Pennsylvania’s wild Pine Creek Gorge: 103 rocky miles and more than 20,000 feet of climbing through the PA Wilds. The single-loop course follows the remote Mid State Trail, the rugged Black Forest Trail, and the scenic West Rim Trail, passing through the tiny hamlets of Ramsey and Blackwell, over a one-lane steel grate bridge, and up Gillespie Point, the only true peak in Pennsylvania. With an average 49% finish rate since 2014, it’s one of the toughest qualifiers on the Western States and UTMB Index calendars.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Eastern States 100 Additional Details:
Race weekend centers on Little Pine State Park in Waterville, with mandatory bib pickup and gear check on Friday afternoon before the 5am Saturday start. Runners choose between a Supported class, with crew access at designated aid stations and pacers permitted from three approved pickup points, or an Unsupported class that forgoes both for bragging rights and a small finisher memento. Every aid station is mandatory, and runners must check in and out at each one so the on-course communications team can track progress through terrain with little to no cell service. GPS trackers aren’t required, but a downloaded GPX file is strongly recommended. A headlamp and emergency blanket are mandatory gear for the long overnight stretches, and runners should expect close encounters with deer, black bear, bald eagles, and the occasional rattlesnake along the way.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Loop
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 36 hr
# of Finishers
100 Mile: 122 finishers (2026)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 20,000+ ft
Elevation Loss: 20,000+ ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 61°F
- High: 84°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 Waterville, PA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
We're still building out our local guide for this city — check back soon!
Hotels & Lodging Near the Eastern States 100
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