Start Seneca State Forest
Leg distance (miles)0
Total distance (miles)0
Opens00:01
Closes00:01
Support
ambition to be a WSER Qualifier
Dark SKIES 100K
The Ultimate Test.
Our flagship distance takes on the toughest terrain West Virginia has to offer. We have the ambition to become a WSER qualifier for runners ready to push past their limits.
Wild.
Deep forests, mountain trails, and West Virginia after dark.
TOUGH.
100 kilometers. 11,500 feet of climbing. Settle in, dig deep, and find out what you’ve got.
FUN.
Share the miles, cheer each other on, and bring a story back to the festival.
2027: Saturday may 29th - 00:01am
The race starts at the Seneca State Forest headquarters. It will be dark. You will need your headlight and night gear. When signing up for the race, make sure to book the shuttle from Snowshoe to race start.
Course Overview
The Dark Skies 100K is a rugged A to B route through Snowshoe's high country, climbing through dense forest and exposed ridgelines with sweeping mountain views. The race starts at the Seneca State Forest headquarters. Runners pass the Seneca fire tower in the first few miles before connecting to the Allegheny trail and eventually Greenbrier River trail leading to Cass, WV. Leaving Cass runners will continue to follow the Allegheny trail passing Green Bank Observatory (GBO) eventually reaching Hosterman and crossing the river on a swing bridge. From here runners follow a mix of fire roads and single-track trails that lead to Bald Knob at an elevation of 4,842 feet and incredible views from the observation deck before heading to the aid station set up at the base of the Bald Knob fire tower. Runners have the option to climb the fire tower for more spectacular views. Leaving Bald Knob runners will follow a mix of single-track trails and fire roads around Snowshoe before reaching the finish at the Snowshoe Village. This amazing course has epic views, ~11,500 ft of elevation while summiting some of the highest peaks in WV!! There is a GENEROUS cut-off time of 20 hours.
Cutoff Times
20-hour overall cutoff with rolling intermediate cutoffs at each aid station to keep the field moving safely.
Festival pass & Registration
Sign up for the festival pass and get $40 off your registration fee. In addition the festival pass is packed with premium items and offers from our amazing partners. Buy the $20 pass here → receive your code by email → register on UltraSignup using $40 off.
DARK SKIES 100k Aid stations & checkpoints
Review checkpoint distances, operating times and available support.
- Numbered checkpoints11 checkpoints
- Drop bagsCP4, CP6, CP7
- Pacer pickupCP7
- Crew accessCP7, CP8 and CP9
| Checkpoint number / name | Leg distance (miles) | Total distance (miles) | Opens | Closes | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seneca State Forest | 0 | 0 | 00:01 | 00:01 | |
| CP1 Sitlington | 8.00 | 8.00 | 00:45 | 02:30 | |
| CP2 Cass | 4.80 | 12.80 | 01:30 | 03:40 | |
| CP3 GBO | 7.20 | 20.00 | 03:15 | 06:30 | |
| CP4 FR235 & Back Mountain Road | 5.90 | 25.90 | 04:10 | 08:45 | Drop bags |
| CP5 Bald Knob Fire Tower | 8.00 | 33.90 | 05:00 | 10:30 | |
| CP6 Shaver’s Fork | 3.70 | 37.60 | 05:30 | 12:00 | Drop bags |
| CP7 Airport | 8.00 | 45.60 | 07:00 | 13:50 | Drop bagsCrew accessPacer pickup |
| CP8 Western Express | 4.50 | 50.10 | 07:45 | 15:00 | Crew access |
| CP9 Old Spruce | 4.90 | 55.00 | 09:30 | 16:45 | Crew access |
| CP10 Snowshoe Fire Tower | 5.00 | 56.10 | 10:15 | 18:30 | |
| CP11 Shaver’s Lake | 2.00 | 62.00 | 11:00 | 19:30 | |
| Finish Snowshoe Ski Village | 0.80 | 62.80 | When the first runner arrives | 20:00 |
CP1 Sitlington
Leg distance (miles)8.00
Total distance (miles)8.00
Opens00:45
Closes02:30
Support
CP2 Cass
Leg distance (miles)4.80
Total distance (miles)12.80
Opens01:30
Closes03:40
Support
CP3 GBO
Leg distance (miles)7.20
Total distance (miles)20.00
Opens03:15
Closes06:30
Support
CP4 FR235 & Back Mountain Road
Leg distance (miles)5.90
Total distance (miles)25.90
Opens04:10
Closes08:45
SupportDrop bags
CP5 Bald Knob Fire Tower
Leg distance (miles)8.00
Total distance (miles)33.90
Opens05:00
Closes10:30
Support
CP6 Shaver’s Fork
Leg distance (miles)3.70
Total distance (miles)37.60
Opens05:30
Closes12:00
SupportDrop bags
CP7 Airport
Leg distance (miles)8.00
Total distance (miles)45.60
Opens07:00
Closes13:50
SupportDrop bagsCrew accessPacer pickup
CP8 Western Express
Leg distance (miles)4.50
Total distance (miles)50.10
Opens07:45
Closes15:00
SupportCrew access
CP9 Old Spruce
Leg distance (miles)4.90
Total distance (miles)55.00
Opens09:30
Closes16:45
SupportCrew access
CP10 Snowshoe Fire Tower
Leg distance (miles)5.00
Total distance (miles)56.10
Opens10:15
Closes18:30
Support
CP11 Shaver’s Lake
Leg distance (miles)2.00
Total distance (miles)62.00
Opens11:00
Closes19:30
Support
Finish Snowshoe Ski Village
Leg distance (miles)0.80
Total distance (miles)62.80
OpensWhen the first runner arrives
Closes20:00
Support
Supplied guide details, pending confirmation in the latest Runner’s Guide. Not confirmed 2027 details.
Race Gallery
