Umstead 100 2027 Guide: Course, Aid Stations, Cutoffs and Pacers
Quick answer: The 32nd Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run is on April 3 and 4, 2027 in William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh, North Carolina. It starts at 6:30 AM Saturday at Camp Lapihio and ends at 12:30 PM Sunday, a 30 hour limit, with a 26 hour soft cutoff at mile 87.5. The course is a 12.5 mile lap run eight times on wide gravel multi-use trail with no single track, and 50 miles counts as an official finish. Registration and the Second Chance Lottery for 2027 are over and the race is full, so this guide is for entrants and for anyone planning for 2028.
Umstead 100 2027 at a glance
| Item | Umstead 100 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, April 3 to Sunday, April 4, 2027 |
| Start and finish | Camp Lapihio headquarters, Umstead State Park, Raleigh, NC |
| Start | 6:30 AM Saturday |
| Time limit | 30 hours, race ends 12:30 PM Sunday |
| Soft cutoff | 26 hours (8:30 AM Sunday) at mile 87.5 |
| Course | 12.5 mile lap, 8 laps for 100 miles |
| Climbing | About 8,000 ft (traditional course) or 7,250 ft (alternate course) for 100 miles |
| Field | "typically limited to 275 runners" |
| Fee | $225 |
| 2027 status | Full; initial registration and lottery are over |
From the race's official website, read October 12, 2026. The race is run by the North Carolina Ultra Running Association, with co-race directors Rhonda Hampton and Chris Squires. The detailed race schedule and weather pages still show 2026 and will be updated. Entry requires a 50 mile or 12 hour qualifier completed after April 1, 2024. No bib transfers or deferrals.
The course and the 2027 course question
"Both courses are essentially a 12.5 mile lap in Umstead Park, that you repeat eight times to reach 100 miles." Most of it is multi-use trail 8 to 15 feet wide with "excellent" footing, some ruts and loose gravel, and "There is no single-track trail on the course." The race adds: "A heavy rain can turn these parts a bit muddy, so be prepared." Every junction is signed and the course is marked with glow sticks at night.
Which course you run is not settled. A bridge closure in early 2024 moved the race to an alternate course for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The race says "There is a good chance that we be able to use our traditional course in 2027, but at this time, nothing is certain," and asks runners to "be prepared to run on either course." The alternate lap turns around at Aid Station 2 instead of looping over North Turkey Creek and has a little less climbing.
Aid stations on each lap
| Point on lap | Station | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Mile 0 and 12.5 | HQ, Camp Lapihio | Full service, hot and cold food and drinks, first aid, drop bags |
| About 3.4 and 10.6 (Race Information) or 3.8 and 10.5 (Course page) | Graylyn and Reedy Creek Water Point | Water point: HYK, Gatorade, water, cookies, trail mix, pretzels, gels and waffles while supplies last |
| Mile 7.15 | Aid Station 2, "The Ptomaine Tavern" | Full service, drop bags |
The two race pages give slightly different water point mileages, but both put the longest gap under 4 miles: "you will never be farther than 4 miles from hydration, calories, and a bathroom." The menu builds through the day, from snacks and fruit at the start to sandwiches from 8:00 AM, quesadillas and soup from 10:00 AM, burgers and hot dogs from noon and pizza in the evening. HYK switches to the caffeinated version after 12 hours.
What to carry: With refills under 4 miles apart, you can test a light setup in training: one or two 500ml soft flasks, plus a headlamp for the night laps. The ROOT5 comes with two 500ml soft flasks (1L total) and room for a phone, fuel and a light layer. If you want a jacket and a spare light on you through the cold night hours, the ROOT8 has more room for layers. The race does not state a cup policy, so check your athlete information before you rely on cups at the table.
Cutoffs and finishing
"The run (100 miles or 50 miles) must be completed in 30 hours." The only intermediate cutoff is the soft cutoff of 26 hours (8:30 AM Sunday) at mile 87.5, the start of lap 8. Runners who go on after that point "are not guaranteed support" and sign a waiver. The race recognizes 50 miles as an official finish even for those entered in the 100. First time 100 mile finishers choose a buckle or a silver pendant, with an extra one for a first sub 24 hour finish.
Pacers, crew, drop bags and rules
- "Pacers are allowed after 50 miles or 6:30 pm Saturday, whichever comes first." Pacers do not register and can join anywhere. "While the park is open (8am to 8pm), only one pacer at a time."
- "No pacing on bicycles at any time." Crews may not use bicycles on the course either; "Doing so will result in a runner disqualification." Muling is allowed.
- Crews are welcome but "not crucial for this race." Aid Station 2 is a 7 mile drive around the park. Canopies up to 10 by 10 feet; no tents.
- Drop bags at HQ and Aid Station 2. Bags for Aid Station 2 are due at HQ by 6:10 AM race day; small or medium bags, no coolers.
- "Littering beyond 300 feet from aid stations is prohibited, and is grounds for disqualification."
- "No alcoholic beverages are allowed in Umstead Park by State law. None."
The race does not state rules on mandatory gear, headlamps, poles or headphones on the pages we read.
Weather and daylight
The race's weather page lists April average highs and lows of 73°F and 48°F, from its 2026 page. On April 3, 2027 the US Naval Observatory puts the start of civil twilight in the park at 6:33 AM, three minutes after the 6:30 AM start. The moon is a thin waning crescent that sets in the afternoon, so the night laps will be very dark. Plan a reliable headlamp and spare batteries.
Packet pickup, parking and cabins
Packets are available Friday from noon to 7:30 PM: drive through at Camp Crabtree until 6:30 PM, then at the HQ Dining Hall. "Parking is our greatest infrastructure constraint." There is no runner, crew or spectator parking next to headquarters; each runner gets one assigned spot with a dashboard pass. Camp Crabtree is the most reliable parking and a shuttle van runs between Camp Crabtree and HQ from Saturday morning to noon Sunday. The race reserves 40 primitive cabins, bookable at registration at $15 per bunk; no personal tents or RVs at Camp Lapihio.
FAQ
Can I still enter the 2027 Umstead 100?
No. The race says initial registration and the Second Chance Lottery for 2027 are over and the race is full. The waitlist is drawn only from Second Chance Lottery applicants.
How hard is the Umstead course?
It is wide gravel trail with no single track and about 7,250 to 8,000 feet of climbing over 100 miles, depending on which course is used.
How far apart are the aid stations?
Under 4 miles. Each 12.5 mile lap has HQ, a water point passed twice and Aid Station 2.
When can pacers join?
After 50 miles or 6:30 PM Saturday, whichever comes first.
Sources: umstead100.org (home, race information, registration, course, food, awards, weather, cabins and health pages), NC State Parks and the US Naval Observatory. Read October 12, 2026. LECAMO is not affiliated with the Umstead 100.