Ironstone 100K: Legs of Iron. Resolve like a Stone.
The Ironstone 100K. Legs of Iron. Resolve Like a Stone.
No pacers. Minimal Aid Stations. 2 p.m. Start.
Ironstone 100K is a savage point-to-point 100 kilometer ultramarathon on the wildest trails in the Alleghenies. Amazing in its terrain and rich in heritage, the ultramarathon starts at Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County and utilizes the Standing Stone, Mid State, and Lower Trails before ending in Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County.
With its unforgiving technical terrain, it will be one of the most challenging ultras in the region, on par with races like Eastern States 100, Black Forest 100K and Worlds End Ultramarathon.
The race begins at 2pm in Canoe Creek State Park and soon travels along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River on the Lower Trail - a fast and flat section of rail trail.
The most unique feature of the Ironstone 100K is the ridge running atop Tussey Mountain on one of the longest named ridges in the Appalachians - a folded and fractured ridgeline of sandstone and quartzite - on the Mid State Trail. Other features include old-growth pines at Alan Seeger Natural Area, a mountain pass at Little Juniata Natural Area, craggy ledges at Indian Wells and eventually onto the Standing Stone Trail and to the finish at the historic Greenwood Furnace State Park.
Runners need to finish the race in 23 hours - a seemingly easy task until the first mile after crossing the Little Juniata River. From here, the technical terrain, limited number of aid stations, no pacers and night running make this race a formidable challenge.
Finishers are rewarded with a unique metal award, our famous flannel shirt and free beer and beverages and some of the best food truck fare - all on us!
Do you have legs of iron and resolve like a stone to complete the Ironstone?