Looking Glass 100K

Event overview

The Looking Glass 100k is a trail ultramarathon held in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, on November 15, 2025. The course is a single large loop that starts and ends near the Pisgah Ranger Station, across from Davidson River Campground off FS 5069. Distance is approximately ~62 miles with about ~10,500 ft of elevation gain and a similar amount of elevation loss. The event has a 20-hour time limit.

Perks for entrants include a long sleeve hoodie shirt, a custom finisher award, live tracking, well-stocked aid stations, post-race food and socializing, and post-race craft beer. All runners must pick up their packet on the Friday before the event; there is no race morning packet pickup. A pre-race meeting is held the Friday before race day and attendance is encouraged.

Course and race logistics

The route uses a mix of smooth and technical singletrack, grassy double track, gravel, and a short bit of pavement. The course passes through multiple ecosystems, including cove hardwood forest, boreal balsam woods, and high-elevation balds. It also passes multiple waterfalls and moss-covered streams, some of which require crossings. Several summits exceed 6,000 ft, including the high balds of Black Balsam Knob and Tennet Mountain.

Aid stations are placed roughly every 4.5 - 9 miles and will provide at minimum water and Skratch Labs electrolyte drink. Minimum food items listed include bananas, orange slices, potato chips, pretzels, PB&J, pickles, Snickers, and M&Ms. Mandatory gear for runners and pacers includes a headlamp with backup, weatherproof seam-sealed jacket, emergency bivy (an emergency blanket does not count), insulating base layer, warm hat and gloves, emergency whistle, a 32 oz+ hydration carrier, and the race GPS tracker. Crews may access specific full aid stations and pacers may join at aid 5 (mile 41.8). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.