Ironstone 100 K

Overall score 2.8Good
Thin evidence2 sources#63 of 71 ultras

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania · Held since 2022 · 102 km (63.4 mi) · 2,437 m (7,990 ft) gain

Race day Sat 10 Jul 2027

Website (opens in a new tab)

Is it right for you?

Footing
Technical1.5
Climbing
Rolling hills3.1
Overall cutoff
Normal2.7
Intermediate cutoffs
Reasonable2.6
Crew access
Some points3.1
First timer friendly
Demanding2.0

Footing and climbing are course traits: 5 is the smoother, flatter end, not a better race.

Watch out: Prior trail-ultra qualification is required; this is unsuitable as a first ultra. All 5

Held back by course (2.0) and cutoffs (2.6).

Provisional: based on 2 sources. Why

Ran it? Your rating helps.

Score breakdown

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; the light bar holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Why runners love it

  • A recent finisher praises thoughtful volunteers and the personal finish welcome.
  • The route combines an easier rail-trail opening with demanding rocky ridges.

Watch out for

  • Prior trail-ultra qualification is required; this is unsuitable as a first ultra.
  • Expect extensive overnight boulder fields and steep climbs.
  • Intermediate cutoffs can end a race; reconfirm the complete chart.
  • Pacers are generally prohibited; crew access is restricted.
  • Arrange finish access carefully; no post-race shuttle returns runners to the start.

Latest or next race

Sat 10 Jul 2027

Entry about $175

Official race site(ironstone100k.com, opens in a new tab)
Climbing
2,437 m (7,990 ft)
Cutoff
23 hours
Pace needed
21:48 per mi (13:33 per km)
Finish rate
73% in 2026

Training for Ironstone 100 K?

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What runners say

Overall score 2.8 out of 5

2 reviews and race reports

2 reviews

  • Philip K. Perkins

    Raced 2026 · Chasing 10 K

    Tone: Positive

    The finisher valued thoughtful aid volunteers, fellow-runner companionship and a personal finish announcement. He found boulder fields and steep overnight climbs extremely demanding, with a mild edition easing heat strain. Shuttle logistics worked for him. His reported finish was 20:21, and he would recommend the race to suitably prepared runners.

    Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Cutoffs, Stay and travel

    Read on chasing10k.com (Chasing 10 K, opens in a new tab)

  • lilSkunky 420

    Reddit entrant follow-up

    Tone: Mixed

    In a later follow-up to an entry question, the author explicitly reports a DNF after struggling with very technical boulder fields and missing the fifth aid cutoff. They found the afternoon heat difficult but felt the event was well run. The specific raced year is not stated; speculative pre-race comments are not counted as experiences.

    Covers Course, Conditions, Cutoffs

    Read on reddit.com (Reddit entrant follow-up, opens in a new tab)
Ran Ironstone 100 K? Rate it

Pick a score, then tell the next runner about the footing, cutoffs and aid stations.

Scores

Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.

Good. How runners feel about it, how well it is run, and the community around it. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

Toughness for its distance: Very tough

  • Runner satisfactionLoved3.7

    One finisher recommends the challenge; the DNF entrant respected organization but would not soon return. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run4.1

    The finisher praises shuttle handling and volunteers; the DNF entrant also calls the race well run. · Low confidence

  • Community and vibeWarm4.0

    The finisher valued practical volunteer help, runner companionship and a personal finish announcement. · Low confidence

Good. Aid stations, crew access, drop bags and pacer rules. Counts for 25% of the overall score.

  • Aid stationsGood4.1

    The recent finisher describes consistently thoughtful and helpful volunteers; complete current station spacing remains unverified. · Low confidence

  • Crew accessSome points3.1

    Crew access is restricted to a handful of designated locations. · Low confidence

  • Drop bagsMany stations3.6

    The organizer permits bags at several named stations. · Low confidence

  • PacersNot allowed1.2

    Pacers are generally prohibited, with exceptional approval possible for unusual or medical circumstances. · Low confidence

Below par. Course marking, scenery, and how runners rate the trail itself. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Course markingMostly clear2.9

    The recent finisher needed careful navigation across rocks; the organizer warns that continuous marking is sparse. · Low confidence

  • SceneryBeautiful3.8

    The finisher valued the landscape but missed many views during overnight running. · Low confidence

  • Trail experienceGreat3.5

    The rugged challenge appeals to prepared runners, while both accounts emphasize prolonged difficult footing. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • FootingTechnical1.5

    Both accounts emphasize extensive boulder fields, unstable rocks and steep technical climbs. · Low confidence

  • RunnabilityLots of hiking2.4

    An easier rail-trail opening gives way to extended slow technical travel. · Low confidence

  • ClimbingRolling hills3.1

    Climbs 126 ft per mi (24 m per km), from the recorded elevation gain. · High confidence

Good. Race-day temperature and how predictable the weather is. Counts for 14% of the overall score.

  • Race-day temperatureWarm or cold2.8

    A mild recent edition contrasts with the DNF entrant’s difficult afternoon heat. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable2.8

    Accepted accounts describe substantially different heat experiences; the evidence covers few editions. · Low confidence

Good. How generous the overall and intermediate cutoffs are for the terrain. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Overall cutoffNormal2.7

    A finisher completed within the limit, but the DNF entrant missed an aid cutoff after technical sections. · Low confidence

  • Intermediate cutoffsReasonable2.6

    The DNF entrant reports being pulled after failing to reach the fifth aid station in time. · Low confidence

Not part of the score

  • First timer friendlyDemanding2.0

    The organizer requires prior trail-ultra experience, and accepted accounts emphasize highly technical overnight terrain. · Low confidence

  • Getting inSells out2.8

    A recent trail-ultra qualification and volunteering or donation requirements add entry obligations. · Low confidence

Good. Getting there, places to stay, race-day logistics and value. Counts for 8% of the overall score.

  • LogisticsSome complexity2.9

    Point-to-point travel requires arranging finish access and a pre-race shuttle, without a post-race return. · Low confidence

Course

Route, 102 km (63.4 mi)

Point to point

Surface
Mixed
Climbing
2,437 m (7,990 ft)
Climb rate
Hilly, 24 m per km (126 ft per mi)
Night
Most runners run through one night
Start
14:00

Cutoffs and aid

Overall cutoff
23 hours
Pace needed
21:48 per mi (13:33 per km)
Drop bags
Some stations
Crew access
Some points
Pacers
Not allowed

Getting in

Entry
Qualifier
Qualifier
Finish an advertised trail 50 km (31.1 mi) within its official limit after January 1, 2025, before registering.
Fee
About $175

Checkpoint cutoffs

Finish deadline Sunday 13:00. Intermediate values come from the 2026 chart datedDecember 10,2025; final 2027 route/checks may differ. That chart totals 8274 ft (2522 m) ascent, conflicting with current 2027 details 7994 ft (2437 m); current scalar follows 2027 details.

CheckpointCutoff
AS 1 Flowing Spring: 4.7 mi (7.6 km), 2026 chart, local time7.6 km (4.7 mi)15:30 Saturday
AS 2 Williamsburg: 9.7 mi (15.6 km), 2026 chart, local time16 km (9.7 mi)16:45 Saturday
AS 3 Mt Etna: 15.7 mi (25.3 km), 2026 chart, local time25 km (16 mi)18:30 Saturday
AS 4 Alfarata: 20.8 mi (33.5 km), 2026 chart, local time33 km (21 mi)20:00 Saturday
AS 5 Colerain: 27.8 mi (44.7 km), 2026 chart, local time45 km (28 mi)22:45 Saturday
AS 6 Indian Steps: 36.5 mi (58.7 km), 2026 chart, local time59 km (37 mi)02:30 Sunday
AS 8 Little Flat Tower: 50.9 mi (81.9 km), 2026 chart, local time82 km (51 mi)08:15 Sunday
AS 9 Alan Seeger: 58.6 mi (94.3 km), 2026 chart, local time94 km (59 mi)11:00 Sunday

Footing, aid and entry notes in full

Getting there and staying

Where to stay
Pre-race shuttle from finish to start is advertised; no post-race return shuttle. Reconfirm current lodging availability.

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Key facts

Checked against the 2027 edition on the official race site. Rules change, so confirm before you enter.

Location
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Region
Northeast US
Typical month
July
First held
2022
Surface
Mostly rocky trail, plus rail trail, dirt road and a short paved section. Current organizer length is 63.4 mi (102.0 km), averaged across mapping services.
Footing
Current organizer ascent is 2,437 m (7,994 ft). Sustained boulder fields, steep climbs and overnight navigation follow the easier rail-trail opening.
Aid and crew
Crew and drop bags are restricted to named stations. Rare medical or unusual-circumstance pacer exceptions require race-director approval; aid is cupless.
Mandatory gear
Light after dark and an emergency blanket.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate ultras.

Training for Ironstone 100 K? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.