Races
Eastern States
Pennsylvania Mid State Trail. Rocks. Green tunnel. Twenty thousand feet. August humidity.
- Start735 ft
- High2,144 ft
- Low637 ft
- Finish738 ft
- Pennsylvania at mile 0.0
- Eastern States mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 7.2 hours
- Eastern States mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 14.4 hours
- Eastern States mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 21.599999999999998 hours
- Eastern States mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 28.8 hours
- Finish Pennsylvania at mile 100, cutoff 36 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxRaccoon Ridge and the rocky Mid State Trail descents (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Eastern States runs 100 mi through Pennsylvania. Surfaces skew 80% trail / 15% dirt road / 5% paved. Raccoon Ridge and the rocky Mid State Trail descents. High point near 2,182 ft. Low near 568 ft. August temps run 45°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
August in Pennsylvania: plan for 45°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 80% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Raccoon Ridge and the rocky Mid State Trail descents near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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