A Statement from Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance Management on Crews and Spectators

There is one rule we need to address directly because it has become increasingly important to the future of our events.

When our rules state "No crews or spectators are permitted except at designated crew-access aid stations," we mean exactly that. This is not a guideline. It is not a suggestion. It is not open to interpretation.

It is a condition of our permits.

Our events exist only because the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Game Commission, private landowners, municipalities, and numerous other partners allow us the privilege of using these lands. In recent years, those agencies have made it abundantly clear that unauthorized crew activity has become a serious concern. We have been warned that continued violations place our permits (and therefore the future of these races) at risk.

The consequences could include substantially reduced participant limits or, ultimately, the loss of permission to hold the Eastern States 100 or our other events altogether.

As an organization, one of ESTEA's core missions is to promote not only grassroots trail running, but also responsible stewardship of Pennsylvania's public lands. Protecting access for future generations will always take precedence over accommodating individual preferences.

You may have noticed that several aid stations have been relocated or modified this year, including the changes involving Ramsey Road (now Bonnell Flats), and Barrens. Those adjustments were not made for convenience nor to make the race more difficult for participants. They represent months of negotiation, compromise, and collaboration with land managers to ensure the race can continue under increasingly stringent requirements.

Why are these restrictions necessary?

Because unfortunately, we have seen far too many incidents involving unauthorized crews and spectators.

Among them have been:

• Head-on collisions between crew vehicles.

• Crew vehicles becoming stuck on remote roads, delaying race staff and emergency response.

• Pedestrians nearly being struck by vehicles while walking roadways.

• Vehicles nearly striking traffic control personnel and first responders.

• Crew vehicles trapped on remote forest roads.

• Attempts to drive vehicles through Pine Creek.

• Vehicles stopping or parking along public roadways, creating dangerous traffic hazards.

• Trespassing onto private property.

• Unauthorized entry onto active natural gas well sites and industrial facilities.

• Numerous additional incidents that unnecessarily place runners, volunteers, emergency personnel, and the public at risk.

It only takes one serious accident or one land manager deciding enough is enough for years of work to disappear.

Please do not be the person responsible for becoming the final straw.

Fairness Matters

There is another reason for this policy.

Eastern States 100 and our other races have always been committed to fair competition.

The course crosses dozens of public roads, state forest roads, and Game Commission roads. We understand the temptation to simply stop, ask your runner how they're doing, or offer a few encouraging words.

But from the race's perspective, there is no practical way to distinguish between a brief conversation and the delivery of assistance.

More importantly, encouragement itself can become a competitive advantage. While psychological support is difficult to measure, it is still a form of support that not every participant receives. Many runners would welcome the opportunity to hear a familiar voice or see family members along the course but not everyone has that opportunity. We believe every participant deserves the same race experience.

There is also something else worth protecting.

One of the defining characteristics of ESTEA events is their remoteness. Participants spend hours immersed in Pennsylvania's wild places, often seeing nothing but forest, mountains, and fellow runners. That solitude is part of what makes these races special.

We have no interest in turning our courses into spectator-lined corridors resembling major international events. Preserving the wilderness experience is every bit as important as preserving the race itself.

Vehicles and Emergency Access

Whether at a designated crew-access aid station or elsewhere, crew and spectator vehicles must never interfere with race operations or emergency response.

Stopping in travel lanes, blocking intersections, obstructing aid station access, parking illegally, driving on closed roads, or otherwise impeding race staff, volunteers, emergency responders, or public safety personnel will not be tolerated.

Any vehicle that interferes with race operations or emergency services will result in the immediate disqualification of the associated runner. In addition, drivers should expect enforcement action by the appropriate law enforcement agency or land management authority.

Race officials, law enforcement, DCNR personnel, and emergency responders have final authority over all vehicle movement and parking.

Enforcement

Accordingly, the policy is simple.

Crews and spectators are permitted only at officially designated crew-access aid stations. They are not permitted anywhere else on the course.

This rule will be enforced.

If a runner's crew or spectators are found violating this policy by accessing unauthorized locations along the course, the runner will be immediately disqualified from the event and will be prohibited from participating in any Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance event for a period of three (3) years.

We recognize this is a significant penalty.

It is intended to be.

The stakes are simply too high: for participant safety, for our relationships with land managers, and for the continued existence of these races.

We ask every runner, crew member, family member, and friend to help us protect what so many volunteers have worked for over the years.

Respect the rules.

Respect the land.

Help ensure that Eastern States remains available for those who dream of running it for years to come.