Welcome to the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run page!
Dates: September 3-5, 2027
Registration Opens 9/22 on UltraSignup!
The 2027 Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run is a qualifier for both Hardrock 100 Endurance Run and Western States Endurance Run!
Our hearts and spirits also can’t help but think that our dear friend and five time Hardock finisher Mike “Bushwhacker” Burke is smiling down upon us. The Dark Divide Trail Races would not at all be what they are without him.
We are excited to see you in September for the West’s wildest 100!
The Dark Divide Trail Races take place upon lands of the Cowlitz (Mishalpam, Táytnapam, Sλpúlmx), Xwáłxwaypam (Klikitat), and Yakama people.
THIS IS NOT AT ALL A BEGINNER LEVEL ULTRAMARATHON
In addition to the obvious fact that you are running 100 miles, you will also encounter technical trails, long, steep climbs, and some very remote places. The course has over 27,000 feet of elevation gain accompanied by a similar amount of descent. It also is over 75% singletrack, much of which is quite technical. In the Roadless Area, you will travel up to 15 miles between aid stations. In keeping with the wilderness-like setting of the event, there will be very minimal confidence course markings. If you have to drop from the race, especially within the Roadless Area or at the southern end of the course, it will take you many hours before we can get you back to Cispus Learning Center. A DNF might take longer than a finish. In addition to a high level of stamina, physical and emotional fortitude, and extensive training, you will need to be comfortable with long stretches of wilderness travel and navigational skills, including at night and by yourself. For many of you, this will be the hardest race you have ever done. Knowing and fully understanding this is of the highest importance.
100 Miler by the Numbers
100 Miler Course Information
Here is an interactive map of the 100 Mile course on Caltopo:
Click here to see course details, including vert & mileage:
Click here to see aid station details, crew access, and cutoffs:
Click here to download the course GPX file:
100 MILE ONE-TIME ONE-OF-A-KIND PRIZE PURSE!!!
The Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run's unique combination of steep terrain, very technical footing, and wild remoteness make this one of the most difficult (and beautiful!) courses you could ever run!
$2,000 for the first female sub-24 hour finish at the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run
$2,000 for the first male sub-20 hour finish at the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run
$2,000 for the first non-binary sub-20 hour finish at the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run
$10,000 for the first finisher of 5 consecutive Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Runs
These new prizes will certainly create some amazing stories of human endurance and passion as they unfold over the upcoming years of the Dark Divide 100 Miler. Let the insanity and the inspiration begin!
Please note the following cash prize rules:
If more than one runner breaks the 24 and/or 20 hour finishing times during the same event in the same year, the fastest time will receive the cash prize.
If more than one runner finishes their fifth consecutive 100 Mile race during the same event in the same year, all eligible runners for that year will be entered into a raffle, with the winner drawn at random and awarded the prize.
Five-time consecutive 100 Mile Endurance Run finishers must have finished all 5 events within the official 48 hour cutoff time in order to be eligible for the cash prize.
Key Times & Dates
Thursday, September 2, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center):
11:00 PM: Camping & dorms open for runners and crew
12:00-5:00 PM: Runner check-in, race packet pick-up, and drop bag collection begins at Tower Rock Pavilion
6:00 PM: MANDATORY Dark Divide race overview at Tower Rock Pavilion
Friday, September 3, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center: Tower Rock Pavilion)
4:00-4:30 AM Race morning check-in
4:45 AM: Pre-race briefing
5:00 AM: The Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run begins!
Saturday, September 4, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center)
Continuation of the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run
Sunday, September 5, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center)
5:00 AM: Final finish line cut-off
6:00 PM: All 100 Mile runners must be out of their campsite/dorm
Qualification Standards
The Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run has a formal qualification standard. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION BEFORE REGISTERING! I cannot reiterate enough that this is NOT AT ALL ANYTHING CLOSE TO A BEGINNER LEVEL ULTRAMARATHON. In order to line up at the start of the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run, you MUST provide verifiable evidence prior to registration that meets one of the following qualification standards:
Published, verifiable race results (e.g. UltraSignup, race website) that show one of the following:
Successful completion of a 100 mile or longer race that is primarily trail with at least 15,000 feet of vertical gain. This must have been completed within the last 5 years of the start date of the 2027 Dark Divide 100 Miler or;
Successful completion of a 100 kilometer race that is primarily trail with at least 10,000 feet of vertical gain. This must have been completed within the last 3 years of the start date of the 2027 Dark Divide 100 Miler or;
Successful completion of at least two 50 mile or longer races that are primarily trail with at least 7,000 feet of vertical gain. This must have been completed within the last 3 years of the start date of the 2027 Dark Divide 100 Miler.
If you have not completed any races meeting the above qualifications, then you must submit a GPX file and letter to Wonderland Running that verify a wilderness activity or activities that sufficiently demonstrate your ability to complete this race. This is a discretionary process that is solely the decision of Wonderland Running.
Once again, I cannot reiterate enough that this is NOT AT ALL ANYTHING CLOSE TO A BEGINNER LEVEL ULTRAMARATHON. We want very much for you to have a successful event. While you will have a generous 48 hour cutoff, DO NOT underestimate how challenging this course is. For many of you, it will be the hardest thing you have ever done.
Volunteer Service Requirements
There is a volunteer service requirement for the 2027 Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run. Recreation in our wild spaces and natural areas can and does have significant and sometimes damaging impacts on the places we explore and love. These impacts have become greatly magnified by the growth of our sport, the growth of outdoor recreation in general, and the ever present and often careless influence of social media. Please complete 8 hours of volunteer service in one of the activities below:
Habitat restoration (e.g. native plantings & seedings, invasive species removal, watershed enhancement projects, natural area clean-up).
Trail building, repair, or restoration.
Volunteer activities that enable inclusivity and access to outdoor activities and opportunities for underrepresented or marginalized groups and/or children.
YOUR EIGHT (8) SERVICE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AND DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED PRIOR TO CHECK-IN FOR THE 2027 RACE!
Thank you for reading this. Thank you for doing your part in making the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and rewarding experience for yourself, other runners, volunteers, search & rescue, and race staff. Thank you for doing your part to help preserve and protect our wild spaces, and helping others to do the same.
Pacers
Pacers are allowed at Wright Meadow Aid Station (Mile 51.6). This is the earliest location in the race where a pacer may be picked up. Pacers may be swapped out at Summit Prairie Aid Station (Mile 71.4) and Juniper Ridge Aid Station (Mile 93.7). You are limited to one pacer at a time. Also remember, it is up to two hours or longer on remote and sometimes rough forest service roads from Cispus Learning Center to the South Loop Aid Stations. Please take this into account when planning your pacing and race support logistics.
Please read and understand the following Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run pacer requirements:
Pacers MUST check in with their runner during race check-in. Pacers will sign a waiver and be assigned a PACER bib.
Pacers must remain with their runners at all times.
Pacers may not mule or otherwise take/give supplies except at aid stations.
Pacers must abide by all course rules and permitting agency requirements. Runners may be disqualified from the Dark Divide 100 Mile Endurance Run if their pacers do abide by all course rules and permitting agency requirements.
U.S. Forest Service Notice
This event is granted use by a Special Use Permit through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.