An out-and-back on the Virginia Creeper Trail, the nation’s only national scenic rail-trail, crossing more than 120 wooden trestle bridges between Abingdon and Whitetop, Virginia. Fast, crew-friendly, and widely regarded as one of the best first-100 or sub-24 courses in the country.
Quick facts
- Location: Virginia Creeper Trail, Abingdon, VA (start/finish)
- Date: October 9, 2026
- Distance: 100.7 miles, out-and-back; 30-hour cutoff
- Website: yetitrailrunners.com
- Contact: Via yetitrailrunners.com — organized by Yeti Trail Runners
- Registration: Opens January 1 via UltraSignup; requires a 50-mile finish within 12 months, a 100-mile finish within 2 years, or a qualifying event on the current calendar.
Course description
An out-and-back run on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a converted rail line and the nation’s only national scenic rails-to-trail, nestled between the rolling hills of southwest Virginia. The course features more than 120 trestle crossings offering sweeping views of the valley floor below, and its “bowl” shape means runners descend on the way out and climb on the way back — the trail drops roughly 300 feet from Abingdon toward the South Holston River near Damascus, then climbs nearly 2,000 feet up toward Whitetop before turning around. The halfway point sits directly on the trail at Creeper Trail Cottages, historically home to one of the best-stocked aid stations on the course. Mostly groomed trail or dirt roads throughout, the course is highly accessible to crews and spectators.
Elevation change
Rolling, with roughly 2,500 feet of gain in each 50-mile half — a climb factor described by USATF course certification as equivalent to running a flat 105.3 miles. Gentle by mountain-ultra standards, and part of why the course produces some of the fastest 100-mile times in the East.
Aid stations
Staffed aid stations with generous crew access are spaced along the out-and-back trail, anchored by the well-known halfway aid station at Creeper Trail Cottages. The trail’s rail-bed grade and easy road crossings make this one of the most crew- and spectator-friendly 100-milers in the country.
Special conditions & average temps
Early October in the Appalachian foothills of southwest Virginia typically brings cool, crisp days and cold nights, with the fall foliage season getting underway along the trail corridor. The 2024 running was canceled outright; check current-year race communications for any weather-related updates. The course’s speed and accessibility make it a popular target for both first-time 100-milers and sub-24-hour finishers.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
The 2024 race was canceled; the years below are the three most recent runnings.
2025
- Men: 1. Wayne Capacillo 16:44:24 · 2. Travis Ault 17:43:22 · 3. Travis Pace 18:23:29
- Women: 1. April Bailey 15:42:00 (overall winner) · 2. Megan Alvarado 18:14:05 · 3. Lindsay Kasow 19:41:55
2023
- Men: 1. Barry Thomas 15:12:31 · 2. Jicheng Liu 17:29:01 · 3. Willow Dolde 17:42:49
- Women: 1. Mary Cates 17:06:01 · 2. Sally Vannuland 19:11:39 · 3. Amanda Reynolds 20:04:18
2022
- Men: 1. Lee Whitaker 14:50:05 · 2. Keith Gruchacz 15:08:24 · 3. Matt Smith 16:50:31
- Women: 1. Rebecca Joyner 19:55:15 · 2. Julia Lipeles 20:24:18 · 3. Heather Gardiner 21:16:36
Registration deadline & how to get in
Registration opens January 1 via UltraSignup and closes in early June or once the field fills. Entrants must have completed 50 miles within the prior 12 months, 100 miles within the prior 2 years, or be registered for a qualifying 50-mile or 24-hour event on the current race calendar.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.