See the 2026 event

Eagleton Trail Challenge: Conquer the Trails of Rocksylvania!

Experience the untamed beauty of Pennsylvania's Wilds at the Eagleton Trail Challenge—an unforgettable spring race that takes runners from the Susquehanna River to the Allegheny Plateau on scenic single-track trails, blending history, adventure, and personal triumph

Eagleton 86 | 50K | 25K Run or Ruck | 10K Run or Ruck

Presented by the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance

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, footraces we manage as a stewardship for trailrunners and the community.

Eagleton 86

This is a graduate-level early season ultra meant to test runners on varying technical terrain, long steep climbs and descents, extended distance and time between aid stations, in both day and night conditions.

This is a gut-check assessment of a runner’s aptitude and fortitude to persevere and succeed.

86 miles. 28 hours.

There are plenty of spring ultras, but not many this long, this remote, or this punishing. Eagleton 86 is one of the only early-season races on the East Coast that delivers true technical trail, big climbs, long stretches without aid, and cutoffs that force you to stay sharp.

It’s steep, rugged, and built to test serious runners. Not with altitude, but with relentless terrain, hard-earned miles, and no easy outs.

Spanning nearly 86 miles through Eagleton Fields and the Chuck Keiper Trail, the Eagleton 86 course delivers a nonstop gauntlet of roots, rocks, narrow tread, steep hollows, and elevation changes that never let you settle. The trail feels alive underfoot, constantly shifting and demanding full attention.

More than just long, Eagleton 86 is brutally honest. The elevation profile stacks with dozens of climbs and descents, repeatedly climbing above 2,000 feet before diving into rocky drainages and technical switchbacks. You'll feel every footfall, and by the end, you'll know you earned every mile.

Forget flowing singletrack or cruise control — this is sharp-edged, old-school Pennsylvania terrain, the kind that doesn’t care about your watch or your ego. It's the estranged cousin to Ironstone 100K, Black Forest Ultra, and Eastern States 100 — same family of remoteness and ruggedness, but with its own no-frills attitude.

This course is raw, remote, and unapologetic, and that’s exactly the point.

Practical Details

• Trail system: Chuck Keiper Trail and Eagleton Fields
• Start: 2:00 PM ET, Saturday, May 9, 2026
• Cut-off: 28 hours (Finish by 6:00 PM Sunday, May 10)
• Note on cutoff: Based on checkpoint pacing data from the Eastern States 100, applied to a shorter course. Only the top ~45% of ES100 finishers would make this time.

• Distance: 86 miles
• Total elevation gain/loss: 15,653 ft gain / 15,653 ft loss
• Elevation range: Low 564 ft / High 2,329 ft / Avg 1,529 ft
• Climb factor: 19%
• Surface: Technical singletrack — rocks, roots, and remote backcountry

• Night running required: Yes — bring backup lighting and thermal layers
• Pacers: Allowed (pickup at Ridge Rd only)
• Crews: Not allowed
• Drop bags: Shoemaker (twice), Ridge Rd

Eagleton 86 Course

Eagleton isn’t designed to be generous — it’s built to be honest. The 28-hour cutoff reflects a relentless pacing expectation across 86 miles of remote Pennsylvania terrain. You’ll need to move efficiently, minimize downtime, and stay locked in from afternoon start to late Sunday finish.

This is a race for runners who manage time, calories, and discomfort with intent. More than half of Eastern States 100 finishers would not make this cutoff — that’s not a warning, it’s the premise.

If you're looking for a race that gives you space to coast, this isn’t it. But if you’re chasing a spring challenge that demands respect, preparation, and nonstop forward motion, Eagleton will meet you head-on.


Click below to load the course map via HelloDrifter

The route winds deep through Sproul State Forest, weaving the full backbone of the Chuck Keiper Trail with access through Eagleton Fields. With 15,653 feet of climbing, relentless vertical gain, and almost no flat terrain, this is one of the hardest early-season ultras on the East Coast.

• Miles 0–30: From the Eastern Trailhead, early stops at Gobbler’s Roost (7.1 mi) and Shoemaker (14.4 mi) lead into a long push through Pete’s Run (25.6 mi) and on to Barney’s Ridge (30.1 mi).
• Miles 30–58: High ridgelines, big drops, and remote footing define the middle miles. Aid stations at Jew’s Run, Ridge Rd (drop bag, pacer pickup), and Penrose are widely spaced.
• Miles 58–85.8: A second pass through Shoemaker (drop bag) leads into a long descent to Mill Branch, then one final stretch through Eastern Trailhead (82.8 mi) to the finish.

Expect long stretches without aid, sustained climbs, and zero mental breaks. If your race plan relies on frequent resupply or aid station resets, this course will punish hesitation.

View on UltraPacer

Ealgeton 86 Qualification Standards

Qualification Standards This is not an entry-level ultramarathon. Eagleton 86 shares the terrain profile and attitude of events like Eastern States 100. The technical trails, elevation gain, and aid station spacing require real trail experience and a proven ability to move through challenging terrain over long periods.

Minimum Qualification Requirement

• All entrants must complete at least one officially organized 50K trail race between January 1, 2024 and their date of registration.
• The race must be completed within the official cutoff time.
• Results must be publicly available (e.g., posted on UltraSignup or a timing/results site).

Non-Qualifying Events

• Timed events (e.g., 12-hour, 24-hour)
• Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
• Obstacle Course Races (OCR)
• Biathlons or Triathlons (unless the run portion is an organized 50K trail race with results)

Completion Requirement

• The 50K must be completed prior to registration.
• Registrants who do not meet this requirement will not be accepted.
• Exceptions for the date range may be considered only for extenuating life circumstances (e.g., military service, pregnancy).

Rationale The 50K requirement exists to ensure that all entrants have baseline experience on technical trail. This course will expose underprepared runners. If you're not sure whether you're ready, you probably aren’t — and that’s okay. Come back next year.

Participant Responsibility

• Research the course and cutoff expectations, review maps, read trail reports
• Make an honest assessment of your own readiness

Race management will not provide individualized feedback or exceptions beyond the criteria above.

Eagleton 47K

The Eagleton 47K follows a scenic loop through the Eagleton trail system, combining runnable forest trails with a handful of technical sections. From the start, runners head alongside Route 120 before climbing the S.A.W. Trail toward the first aid station at the Eastern Trailhead of the Eagleton Mine Camp Trail. The course continues through multiple interconnected trails, reaching the Western Trailhead before looping back toward the Eastern Trailhead once more. The final miles travel through the Eagleton Demonstration Forest Trail before returning to the finish. The first and last 5 kilometers are the most technical, while the middle portion of the course is largely smooth and runnable.

Approximate elevation gain: ~4,000 feet (estimate based on course profile)

Practical Details:

• Distance: 47K / 29.7 miles
• Surface: Trail / dirt
• Total elevation gain: ~4,000 ft
• Aid stations: 6 total
• Technical terrain: Primarily in the first and last 5 km
• Course style: Mostly runnable with moderate climbs
• Time limit: 10 hours

View Course Map on HelloDrifter

Eagleton 25K Run or Ruck

Perfect for runners and hikers looking for a shorter-distance challenge that still delivers real trail character. Expect some technical footing early and late, balanced by long stretches of smooth, runnable trail in the middle.

Course Overview: The Eagleton 25K Run and Ruck share the same scenic course through the Eagleton trail system. From the start, participants head alongside Route 120 before climbing the S.A.W. Trail to the first aid station at the Eastern Trailhead of the Eagleton Mine Camp Trail. The route then works its way back through the Eastern Trailhead before turning onto the return trail toward the Eagleton Demonstration Forest Trail and finishing back at the start area. The first and last 5 kilometers are the most challenging sections, while the middle miles offer fast, very runnable terrain.

Approximate elevation gain: ~2,200 feet (estimate)

Practical Details (Run & Ruck):

• Distance: 25K / ~14.6 miles
• Surface: Trail / dirt
• Total elevation gain: ~2,200 ft
• Aid stations: 3 total

Ruck-Specific Equipment Rules:

• Ruck definition: Walking or hiking with a weighted rucksack (backpack)
• Weight standards: 20 lbs dry weight for participants at or over 150 lbs body weight; 10 lbs dry weight for participants under 150 lbs
• Allowed weight: Steel plates, bricks, sandbags, or similar items; all food and water must be removed before weigh-in
• Equipment restriction: Rucksacks only; weighted vests are not permitted

View Course Map on HelloDrifter

Eagleton 10K Run or Ruck

A great choice for runners looking for a short but demanding trail challenge. This course is often described as a “mountain 10K,” making it ideal for those who enjoy climbing, technical footing, and a big effort in a compact distance

Course Overview: The Eagleton 10K starts from the main staging area and heads alongside Route 120 before climbing the S.A.W. Trail toward the Eastern Trailhead of the Eagleton Mine Camp Trail, where the lone aid station is located. From there, runners turn onto the return trail and head back toward the finish. Despite the shorter distance, the course packs in significant elevation and varied terrain, delivering a tough but rewarding experience.

Approximate elevation gain: ~1,200 feet (estimate)

Practical Details:

• Distance: 10K / ~5.6 miles
• Surface: Trail / dirt
• Total elevation gain: ~1,200 ft
• Aid stations: 1 total
• Course difficulty: Moderate to challenging due to elevation gain and footing
• Time limit: 7 hours

View Course Map on HelloDrifter

Post-Race Feast: A Culinary Adventure!

After conquering the trails, prepare your taste buds for a gastronomic experience like no other!

if Michelin awarded stars for trail race food, our post-race spread would be the first-ever 1-star trail race meal!

Gone are the days of settle for lukewarm hot dogs and stale chips. At the Eagleton Trail Challenge, we believe your stomach deserves as much of a reward as your legs!

What's on the menu? Let's just say our chef traded his trail running shoes for a chef's hat, and the results are nothing short of miraculous. Think gourmet trail mix (yes, that's a thing) and energy gels that could pass for haute cuisine.

Remember, you're not hallucinating from exhaustion when you think you see a sommelier pairing the perfect sports drink with your recovery bar. That's just how we roll at Eagleton!

So come for the trails, stay for the feast, and leave with a full belly and a story your running buddies won't believe. After all, where else can you earn a finisher's medal and a potential Michelin star in the same day?

About the Organizers

The Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance promotes trail running and responsible use of public lands. We manage events like the Eastern States 100 and Ironstone 100K as a stewardship for trail runners and the community.

Questions?
Contact the Race Team using the "Ask A Question" button

Join us for an unforgettable adventure in the PA Wilds. Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or taking your first steps on the trails, the Eagleton Trail Challenge awaits!

Event's current local time: 7:38 PM ET