EASTERN STATES IOO

SHEastern States Weekend is more than a trail running event — it is a deliberately created space for women to come together on the legendary Eastern States course and experience what happens when challenge, community, and shared purpose intersect. These rugged trails, steep climbs, and often-muddy miles have tested some of the toughest runners in the sport, but this weekend is about meeting the terrain on our own terms and supporting one another every step of the way.

This year’s routes are entirely new from previous camps and offer a rare opportunity to experience a significant stretch of the Eastern States 100 course in a supportive, non-competitive setting. Over the course of the weekend, participants will cover more than 50 miles of trail, traveling through Aid Stations 3–5, 7–10, and 14 through the Finish. These segments showcase the full character of Eastern States — sustained climbs, technical descents, remote sections, and runnable stretches — providing both practical course knowledge and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Whether you arrive as a seasoned ultrarunner or someone still building confidence on technical trails, the weekend is designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and grounding. Guided runs allow participants to move at appropriate paces, ask questions, and learn through experience rather than pressure. Time together off the trail is just as intentional, creating space to reflect, share stories, and connect beyond the miles.

At the heart of the weekend is our home base: Ponderosa Lodge & Golf, one of Pennsylvania’s best-kept secrets. Set across 235 wooded acres, the lodge offers a comfortable and communal environment that perfectly complements the spirit of the weekend. Eastern States 100 will be covering lodging for the entire weekend — it is completely on us. This ensures that financial barriers are reduced and that participants can focus fully on the experience, the learning, and the connections being built.

The Ponderosa Lodge can accommodate the entire group, featuring nine bedrooms and five bathrooms, a commercial-sized kitchen, a fireplace and loft, and shared spaces designed for gathering and relaxation. Amenities include a ping pong table, foosball table, outdoor patio, and plenty of room to unwind after long days on the trail. It is a place where conversations continue long after the runs end and where bonds are strengthened over shared meals and quiet moments.

At its core, SHEastern States Weekend is about empowerment through connection. Running together builds trust. Facing hard climbs side by side strengthens resolve. Shared miles turn into shared understanding. This is where camaraderie takes root — where encouragement is given freely, accomplishments are celebrated at every level, and no one is left behind.

“Our Bonds Run Dirt Deep” reflects what this weekend stands for. The bonds formed here are shaped by effort, vulnerability, laughter, and the quiet strength that comes from knowing you are not alone on the trail or beyond it. Together, we dig deep — into the dirt beneath our feet and into the resilience within ourselves — and leave stronger, more connected, and ready to carry that confidence forward.