EASTERN STATES IOO

THE COURSE

The Course Summary for Dummies

The First 50 Miles – "Respect the Course". The Eastern States 100 doesn’t ease you in. With unrelenting climbs, punishing descents, and technical trails that demand focus, runners quickly learn why this is one of the toughest hundred-milers in the country. As the day wears on, the heavy Pennsylvania humidity only tightens its grip, testing resolve as much as strength.

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The Last 50 Miles – "Don’t Give Up". By now, you know exactly what the course is capable of. The second half is less about discovering the terrain and more about discovering yourself. Every mile is a battle of willpower and resilience—pushing you to endure, to suffer, and to finish. You’ll return to where you began, but you won’t be the same soul who started.

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The Course Summary

Eastern States 100 is 103 rocky miles with +20,000ft of elevation gain and a finisher rate of about 49 percent. Welcome to The PA Wilds!

Only the hardiest of runners will complete this circumnavigation of Pine Creek. A Pennsylvania Scenic River. The largest creek in the United States. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. The river route that supplied the lumber that built America. The Iroquois called it Tiadaghton – the River of Pines. Or is it the Lost or Bewildered River? After 100 miles of multiple 900 – 1200 foot climbs and equally punishing descents, the second definition will seem appropriate.

Runners will experience portions of some of the most scenic and most challenging trails in Pennsylvania. The Mid State Trail – Pennsylvania’s wildest footpath. The Black Forest Trail – the crown jewel of Pennsylvania’s long distance hiking trails featuring hills, rocks, and on average, a vista for every mile of trail. The West Rim Trail – a backpacker’s favorite for experiencing the Pine Creek Gorge. The Donut Hole Trail, the T-Squared Trail, the Long Branch Trail, the Tiadaghton Trail, and several shorter connector trails will round out the 100 mile loop.

Ramsey at the south end is nothing more than a collection of houses and seasonal residences. You will cross Pine Creek on a former railroad trestle before climbing to the panoramic Ramsey Bend Vista. The north end is Blackwell, a tiny village with the historic Blackwell Hotel restaurant/bar and a small convenience and gift store. You will cross a unique one lane steel grate bridge that bends in the middle prior to climbing Gillespie Point - The Matterhorn of the Alleghenies - the only true peak in Pennsylvania.

In between is miles of hills, rocky hollows, diverse forest and endless views. Wolf Path, Cougar Run, Hemlock Mountain, Jerry Run Falls, Panther Run, and the Algerine Wild Area are just some of the local trails you'll traverse. The course is full of single track, old logging roads and abandoned stone quarries. Deer, bear, bald eagles, and rattlesnakes may be seen. Other than the well-stocked aid stations we will provide, the only civilization centers you will pass through are Ramsey, Blackwell, Hyner Run State Park and Slate Run.