This year’s Eastern States 100 was supposed to be a celebration—a day when 300 runners, their pacers, crews, and volunteers would come together to conquer the rugged trails of north-central Pennsylvania. But, as we all know, sometimes Mother Nature has different plans. Tropical Depression Debby rolled in, bringing relentless rain—up to 8 inches in some places—turning our course into a landscape of rising waters and flooded roads.
By Friday night, as the rain kept coming, Pennsylvania’s governor declared a state of emergency. We tried everything we could to keep the race alive—moving the start/finish area, shifting aid stations, and even reworking the course as an out-and-back format through the first half of the regular route to still provide runners with a true Rocksylvania experience while minding safety for runners, volunteers, and emergency personnel. But in the end, safety had to come first. The unrelenting flooding was more than we could overcome, and with heavy hearts, we made the tough call to cancel the race just 30 minutes before the start.
Watching the start/finish area disappear under 18 feet of water was gut-wrenching. But what happened next reminded us all why this community is so special. Instead of packing up and heading home, our volunteers turned the day into something positive. There was an impromptu cookout with aid station food, laughter, and a sense of camaraderie that made the disappointment a little easier to bear.
And when the day was done, we loaded up trucks with all the extra supplies and donated them to the Hepburnville Volunteer Fire Department. Those supplies fed families and first responders who needed it most.
This year, we didn’t get to chase buckles, but we did something even more important—we came together as a community. We showed that even when the race is called off, the spirit of the Eastern States 100 is unstoppable. The water will recede, and the trails will be ready for us again next year. Until then, let’s keep moving forward, one step at a time, knowing that we’ve already proven what this community is made of.
We also want to share that several area race directors have reached out to offer support to those of you now looking to fill your fall race calendars. The Virgil Crest Ultras and Muleskinner Endurance Races are both offering discounts to Eastern States runners. If you’re interested, reach out to the Race Directors via the “Ask a Question” link on the registration page and reference Eastern States.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’ll be back in 2025, stronger, and more determined than ever. Until then, take care, stay safe, and keep the spirit of the trails alive.
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