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 around 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 13 miles between aid stations. In keeping with the wilderness-like setting of the event, there will be minimal 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 will have ever done. Knowing and fully understanding this is of the highest importance.
100 Mile Race by the Numbers
Here is an interactive map of the 100 Mile course on Caltopo:
Key Times & Dates
Thursday, August 1, 2024 (Cispus Learning Center):
12:00 PM: Camping opens for runners and crew
3:00-6:00 PM: Runner check-in, race packet pick-up, and drop bag collection begins
6:00 PM: MANDATORY Dark Divide race overview
Friday, August 2, 2024 (Cispus Learning Center)
4:00-4:30 AM Race morning check-in
4:45 AM: Race course briefing
5:00 AM: The Dark Divide 100 Miler begins!
Saturday, August 3, 2024 (Cispus Learning Center)
Continuation of the Dark Divide 100 Miler
Sunday, August 4, 2024 (Cispus Learning Center)
5:00 AM: Final finish line cut-off
5:00 PM: All 100 Mile runners must be out of their campsite
Qualification Standards
Starting in 2024, the Dark Divide 100 Miler will have 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 Miler, you MUST provide verifiable evidence that meets one of the following qualification standards:
As stated above, starting in 2024, the Dark Divide 100 Miler will have a formal qualification standard. In order to line up at the start of the Dark Divide 100 Miler, you must provide evidence of one of the following:
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 2024 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 2 years of the start date of the 2024 Dark Divide 100 Miler or;
Successful completion of at least two 50 mile or longer races that are primarily trail with at least 8,000 feet of vertical gain. This must have been completed within the last 2 years of the start date of the 2024 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 2023 Dark Divide 100 Miler. 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, 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, marginalized, groups and/or children.
YOUR EIGHT (8) SERVICE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AND DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED BY CHECK-IN FOR THE 2024 RACE!
Thank you for reading this. Thank you for doing your part in making the Dark Divide 100 Miler 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 Miler 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 Miler if their pacers do abide by all course rules and permitting agency requirements.
Cispus Learning Center Camping Area & Pavilion (Mile 0): START.
Juniper Ridge (Mile 11.8): CREW ACCESS ALLOWED; DROP BAGS ALLOWED.
Sunrise (Mile 19.7): NO DROPBAGS OR CREW ALLOWED.
Dark Creek (Mile 25.6): CREW ACCESS ALLOWED; DROP BAGS ALLOWED. NOTE: A light with spare batteries and light, 40 ounces of water, and 1,000 calories of food MUST be carried with you after leaving this aid station!
Snagtooth (Mile 41.8): NO DROPBAGS OR CREW ALLOWED. NEW FOR 2024: This will be a fully staffed backcountry aid station!!!
Wright Meadow (Mile 51.6): Crew access allowed; Drop bags allowed; Pacers may join at this location. SHARP CUTOFF - 6:00 AM, Saturday, August 3.
Lewis River (Mile 56.6): CREW ACCESS ALLOWED, BUT NO DROP BAGS ALLOWED.
Quartz Creek Butte (Mile 65.3): NO DROPBAGS OR CREW ALLOWED.
Summit Prairie (Mile 71.4): Crew access allowed; Drop bags allowed; Pacers may join at this location. SHARP CUTOFF - 6:00 PM, Saturday, August 3.
Sunrise (Mile 82.9): NO DROPBAGS OR CREW ALLOWED.
Juniper Ridge (Mile 93.7): CREW ACCESS ALLOWED; DROP BAGS ALLOWED; Pacers may join at this location. SHARP CUTOFF - 2:00 AM, Sunday, August 4.
Cispus Learning Center Camping Area & Pavilion (Mile 100.1): FINISH LINE CUTOFF - 4:00 AM, Sunday, August 4.
NOTE: THERE IS A SHARP CUTOFF AT WRIGHT MEADOW AID STATION. You must be leaving the Wright Meadow Aid Station (Mile 51.6) by 6:00 AM, Saturday, August 3. You have 25 hours from the race start to do this. If you have not left the Wright Meadow Aid Station by 6:00 AM sharp, you will be pulled from the race. There are no exceptions to this.
NOTE: THERE IS A SHARP CUTOFF AT SUMMIT PRAIRIE AID STATION. You must be leaving the Summit Prairie Aid Station (Mile 71.4) by 6:00 PM, Saturday, August 3. You have 36 hours from the race start to do this. If you have not left the Summit Prairie Aid Station by 6:00 PM sharp, you will be pulled from the race. There are no exceptions to this.
NOTE: THERE IS A SHARP CUTOFF AT THE MILE 90.4 JUNIPER RIDGE AID STATION. You must be leaving the Juniper Ridge Aid Station by 2:00 AM, Sunday, August 4. You have 45 hours from the race start to do this. If you have not left the Juniper Ridge Aid Station by 2:00 AM sharp, you will be pulled from the race. There are no exceptions to this.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.