Eastern States 100 runs 102 miles through Tiadaghton State Forest in north-central Pennsylvania. 20,000 feet of climb. 36-hour cutoff. Held the second weekend of August. Considered the East Coast counterpart to Western States — the hard, technical PA 100 with a runnable mid-section that lures runners into bad pacing decisions.

The course

A point-to-point course through deep state forest. PA-classic: rocky single-track through dense hardwood forest, exposed ridge traverses, runnable jeep roads connecting the technical sections. The middle 30 miles is the loneliest stretch of any major 100 — almost zero spectators, few crew-accessible aid stations, and minimal cell service. The terrain is technical but less brutally rocky than Massanutten.

By the numbers

  • Distance: 102 miles (point-to-point)
  • Vert gain: 20,000 ft
  • Vert per mile: 196 ft/mi (mountain-tier)
  • Cutoff: 36 hours
  • Date: Second weekend of August

How to qualify and enter

Lottery-entry. 50-mile or 100K qualifier required. First-time entrants typically get in within 1-2 lottery cycles. Field is capped at ~250 runners.

The middle section

Miles 35–65 of Eastern States is the loneliest stretch in American 100-mile racing. Long jeep-road climbs, rocky ridges, no spectators, sparse aid. Most runners describe it as the section where they had real moments of doubt — and where a decent number of DNFs happen. Survive the middle and the back half feels almost easy.

Gear strategy

  • Vest: 8–12L. Salomon Adv Skin 12.
  • Shoes: Hoka Speedgoat 6 or Tecnica Magma. Aggressive lugs for the rocky sections.
  • Bug spray: required. August in PA = mosquitoes, black flies, ticks.
  • Headlamp: primary + spare. ~10 hours of dark.
  • Hydration: heavy. August humidity in PA can make 80°F feel like 95°F.

The Eastern States experience

Most finishers describe Eastern States as the closest thing to true wilderness running in American 100-milers. The course is genuinely remote; the volunteers are tough, friendly Pennsylvanians; the post-race food is local. Underrated, under-promoted, and one of the most authentic 100s east of the Rockies.