2026 RACE
INFORMATION
RACE DETAILS
Event Date: Saturday, July 11th through Sunday, July 12th, 2026
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Course Data: 63.4 miles. 7,994 feet climbing and 8169 feet of descent.
(Methodology: We plotted the course using 5 services: CalTopo, Hello Drifter, Plotaroute, UltraPacer and Strava then calculated the average.)
Grade: Flat-11.5 miles (18.1%) Uphill-23.7 (37.5%) Downhill-28.1 (44.4%) - via Plotaroute
Longest Uphill-2.2 miles; Longest Down-3.1 miles
Steepest Climb +40% at Indian Steps (Mile 37.3); Steepest Descent -40% at Rainbow Trail (Mile 26.9)
Surface: Trail-43.7 miles; Rail Trail (crushed stone)-16 miles; Dirt Road-3.25 miles; Asphalt-0.25 miles
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Past Results:
In 2022, 89 registered for the event with 62 started. 31 finished. 50% finish rate.
2023, 84 registered with 75 starts. 42 finished with a 55% finish rate.
2024, 97 signed up. 83 toed the line with 43 finishers. 51.8% finish rate.
2025, 100 signed up. 89 began the race and 54 finished. 61% finish rate.​
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In the four years of this event, only 2.7% of participants (10) have finished under 16-hours. 30% of finishers finish between 19 hours and 23 hours with the largest number of runners finishing between 21 and 22 hours. 23 hours is the cut-off.
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Top performances:
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Weather: Average for mid-July is a high of 80F and a low of 63F. On average, there is a 35% chance that more than 0.04 inches of total precipitation will fall throughout the day, mostly from an afternoon thunderstorm. The chance of muggy, oppressive, or miserable conditions in Altoona mid-July varies over the course of the day, with an average daily chance of 29%. The cloudiest time of day is around 6:30 AM, at which time the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 45%. The clearest time of day is around 2:30 PM, at which time the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions is 63%.
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Start time and location: Saturday, 2:00pm at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg, PA. Ballfield below Pavilion 2.
Cutoff time and location: Sunday, 1:00pm at Greenwood Furnace State Park, McAlevy's Fort, PA - Blacksmith Building (23 hours)
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Pacers, Crew and Drop Bags: No pacers are allowed in this race unless approved by the race director for unusual circumstances or medical condition. (i.e. participant suffers from night blindness, advanced age, etc.)
-Crews are ONLY PERMITTED at the Start/Finish Line, AS2 Williamsburg, AS4 Alfarata, AS6 Indian Steps and AS8 Alan Seeger.
-Drop Bags will be at AS2 Williamsburg, AS4 Alfarata, AS6 Indian Steps, AS 7 Little Flat and AS8 Alan Seeger.
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Race Shuttle: There will be a race shuttle (bus) from Greenwood Furnace to the start at Canoe Creek prior to the start. Due to the long time frame from the first finisher to the conclusion of the post-race party, there will be no shuttles from the finish line to Canoe Creek (start).
Estimated departure time is 12:15pm at the Wagon and Blacksmith Shops at Greenwood Furnace. Estimated arrival at Canoe Creek is 1:15pm (45 minutes before the start.
Start: Canoe Creek State Park - Ballfield
-Bib Pick Up: Begins at Noon (2 hours prior to start) at Pavilion 2 above the start line in the ballfield.
-Swag Pick Up: We will distribute swag at the finish line (whether you finish or DNF). Some of the swag is glassware and we like to have everyone at the post-race party for food, beverages and cheer.
-Pre-Race Meeting: (online)​
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The Course: The Ironstone 100K is a 63-mile test of endurance, divided into three distinct sections that highlight the rugged beauty of Pennsylvania’s trails.
Section 1 - Canoe Creek and Lower Trail (Start to Mile 20.8)
Follow pink ribbons through the historic Canoe Creek State Park, past centuries-old kilns, thriving bat sanctuaries, and the tranquil Canoe Creek Lake. Then transition onto the western end of the Lower Trail, a scenic rails-to-trails path leading you to Alexandria at Mile 20.8.
Section 2 - Mid State Trail (Mile 20.8 to 56.4)
From there, the course heads onto the Mid State Trail, Pennsylvania’s longest and wildest footpath, marked with orange blazes and pink detour ribbons. Key detours provide aid station access and safe bypasses of busy road corridors:
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Mile 26.7–27.7: AS5 Colerain via Rainbow Trail and Colerain Road
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Mile 35.2–37.3: AS6 Indian Steps via Pump Station, Harry Valley Road, and Indian Steps Trail
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Mile 38.8–45.2: Bypass PA-26 via Campbell, Lowry, Ironstone, and Jackson Trails
Section 3 - Standing Stone Trail (Mile 56.4 to Finish)
Finish strong on the Standing Stone Trail, marked with orange blazes, leading you to the final miles and the finish line.
We highly recommend participants download the GPX file (on the Course Map & Charts page or carry a map with them.
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For more info: Course Maps and Charts | Course Description
Finish: Founders Pavilion at Greenwood Furnace State Park
-Open: Around 3:30am (13 1/2 hours after start)
-We will distribute swag at the finish line (whether you finish or DNF).
-Coffee and beverages begin at 8am. Free for participants, their crew and volunteers by Buzzsaw Coffee Company.
-Breakfast: Begins around 8am with breakfast burritos
-Lunch: Begins around 11am.
-Breakfast and Lunch provided by Doan's BBQ. Free for participants, their crew and volunteers
-Beer is provided by Levity Brewing Company, Indiana and Altoona, PA.
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2025 Registration Start Date: September 1st, 2024 (2 PM EST). Registration is first come, first served and there is a qualifying standard. (see below)
Capacity: 150 runners
Cost: $149
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Race Management: Ironstone 100K is a Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance event (Eastern States 100, Eagleton Trail Challenge). Benjamin Mazur, Race Director. Patrick Sachse, Co-Race Director.
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Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance is a 501c3 not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization. Proceeds are donated to organizations like the Mid State Trail Association, Standing Stone Trail Club and first responders in Blair and Huntingdon counties at the end of each calendar year.
QUALIFICATION STANDARD
Ironstone 100K is not an entry-level ultramarathon. The course terrain, elevation gain, and weather conditions present unique challenges that require significant prior trail running experience.
Minimum Qualification Requirement
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All participants must complete at least one advertised 50K trail race within the official cut-off time prior to registering for Ironstone 100K.
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The qualifying race must take place between January 1, 2024, and the date of registration.
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The race must be an officially organized trail event with publicly available results (e.g., posted on Ultrasignup or a race/timing website).
Non-Qualifying Events
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The following do not meet the qualification requirement:
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Timed events (e.g., 12-hour, 24-hour races)
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Obstacle Course Races (OCR)
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Biathlon/Triathlon events (unless the run portion is a 50K trail race with official results)
Completion Requirement
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The qualifying 50K must be completed prior to registration. Registrants who do not meet this requirement will not be accepted.
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Race management is absolute regarding the 50K requirement.
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Limited flexibility on the January 1, 2024, date may be granted only in extenuating circumstances (e.g., military service, pregnancy).
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Rationale
The 50K requirement is a necessary entry standard. Since its inception, Ironstone 100K has an overall finish rate between 50% and 61% finish rate. The course features some of the most technical trails in Pennsylvania, relentless climbs, remote trails, and frequent hot/severe weather. Runners without adequate preparation and trail experience are highly likely to fail.
Participant Responsibility
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It is the responsibility of each participant to research the course, review maps, read race reports, and seek advice from past finishers before entering.
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Race management will not provide individualized assessments of readiness. If you need to ask whether you are prepared, the answer is likely “no.”
VOLUNTEER POLICY
The Ironstone 100K is committed to giving back to the trails and public lands that make our race possible. Race management, in coordination with the PA Department of Natural Resources, is asking each participant to demonstrate their positive impact by completing at least 8 hours of volunteer work to be eligible for entry.
What Counts as Volunteer Work?
Volunteer activities at other trail events may include, but are not limited to:
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Proofing or sweeping
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Working at an aid station
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Serving as a medical volunteer
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Assisting with race logistics or delivery teams
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Trail maintenance or trail work prior to the event
We will also accept trail work completed on any public lands.
Alternative to Volunteering
In lieu of volunteer hours, participants may choose to make a donation to support the Mid State Trail and/or the Standing Stone Trail—two of the key trail systems that make Ironstone possible.
Reporting Volunteer Hours
One week before race day, a survey will be emailed to all participants and posted on the Ironstone website. This is where you will record your hours (or note your donation).
PRESENTED BY:
The Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance promotes trailrunning and the responsible use of public lands, through events such as the Eastern States 100, Ironstone 100K and Eagleton Trail Challenge, three footraces we manage as a stewardship for trailrunners and the community.