Eastern States 100 2026 Recap and Thanks

Frederick won the race outright in 23:09, setting a new women’s course record and becoming the first woman in the race’s 10 runnings to break the 24-hour barrier. She crossed the finish line more than 90 minutes ahead of the next finisher.

Last year’s winner, Justyna Wilson, returned to take second female and fourth overall in 24:45, now the third-fastest women’s time in Eastern States history. Marissa Kovach rounded out the women’s podium in 27:51.

On the men’s side, Francis Daley took the win (and finished second overall) in 24:40. Just four minutes later, Gabriel Batdorf came through in 24:44 for second male and third overall. Justin Demurias was the third male and fifth overall in 26:07.

And then there were the other 260-some stories.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, we have 123 official finishers from 268 starters. (45.9% finish rate).

At 33H:38M:25S, Eastern States 100 2026 was the second slowest overall median finish times. (Chart and maths courtesy of Philip Perkins)

But the numbers are only part of the story.

Eastern States does not happen because of a start line, a finish line, or a really long piece of trail between the two. It happens because an army of people decide, year after year, that making this thing happen is worth the effort.

To our race staff, who somehow keep the whole Swiss-watch, Google-Machine moving.

To every aid station volunteer, serving food, water, encouragement, questionable advice, and occasionally the emotional support required to convince someone that continuing into the Pennsylvania night is still a good idea.

To our battle-hardened logistics crew, trail workers, local first responders, communications team, medical personnel, and all the people whose jobs are rarely visible but absolutely essential.

To our contracted professionals from race support to our uber-talented photographers who bring expertise, professionalism and, thankfully, fewer problems than the rest of us.

To our partners at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Game Commission, local and regional municipalities, and all the other agencies and organizations that help us navigate the considerable machinery required to put 100 miles of organized chaos through the woods.

The list is long. And, appropriately, so is the amount of gratitude.

And then there are the runners.

Pretty much every participant I encountered (at least those who were still coherent, or had become sufficiently overcome by all the feels) wanted to express their appreciation for the event and the people who made it happen.

So let me pass that along.

Thank you.

Thank you to every participant, regardless of outcome, who stood on that start line and decided to find out just how far your feet, your resolve, and a little bit of fate could carry you.

This is my 15th year directing races and my fourth year directing Eastern States. You can't help but become invested in the people who show up for something like this. I know many of you personally. And for those I don't, I still know there is a person behind every bib number... a person with a history, hopes, hard work, fears, expectations, and a whole lot of hope tied up in those three digits.

Some of you got the buckle. Some of you didn't.

All of you left something out there.

And that's what Eastern States is really about.

Happy trails, every one of you.

Until next year.

Carre Zatwarnytsky celebrates at the finish line. (Photo credit to Phil Cuppernell)