Looking Glass 100K

Looking Glass 100k, Pisgah Forest NC

The Looking Glass 100k is a single large loop through Pisgah National Forest organized by Tanawha Adventures. The course covers approximately 62 miles with about 10,600 ft of elevation gain and similar elevation loss, and a 20 hour time limit. It passes multiple ecosystems, including cove hardwood forest, boreal balsam woods, high-elevation balds with long-range views, waterfalls, and moss-covered streams, and reaches multiple summits above 6,000 ft.

Distances

• 100K (approximately 62 miles)
• PACER option; pacers may join at aid 5 (mile 41.8)

The surface varies from smooth and technical singletrack to grassy double track, gravel, and short pavement. The course starts and ends at the field across from Davidson River Campground off FS 5069 near the Pisgah Ranger Station.

There are nine aid stations roughly every 4.5 to 9 miles. Aid stations include a mix of full and fluid-only stations. Minimum offerings include water and Skratch Labs electrolyte drink; minimum foods include bananas, orange slices, potato chips, pretzels, PB&J, pickles, Snickers, and M&Ms. There are four full-service aid stations, three full-service stations with crew access, two self-serve fluid stations, and three drop bag locations at full aid 1, 3, and 5.

All runners and pacers must carry mandatory safety gear at all times. Required items include a headlamp with backup light and batteries, a seam-sealed weatherproof jacket, an emergency bivy (an emergency blanket does not count), an insulating base layer, warm hat and gloves, an emergency whistle, a hydration carrier (32 oz or larger), and a GPS tracker provided on race morning. Mandatory gear checks will occur before the start and during the race; race staff may pull participants who do not comply.

Packet pickup is the Friday before the event between 4:00 and 8:00 pm and runners must be present to collect their own packets. A pre-race meeting is scheduled for the Friday night before the race. Crews are allowed only at full aid stations 1, 3, and 5 and must service runners within a 50 yard radius of the aid station while following parking regulations. Weather can change rapidly on the mountain; if canceled due to extreme weather, organizers may attempt to reschedule or run the event virtually. The event has a published refund and deferral policy and maintains a waitlist for entries. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.