QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The High Lonesome 100 is not an easy race. It's high, remote, rugged, relentless, and steep. This race will test even experienced endurance runners who have run mountainous 100 mile races. We have these qualification requirements because we believe that to have the best chances of succeeding, you need to have some experience with long distance or 100 mile trail races. You cannot register for the lottery without having completed a qualifier. In order to enter to run the High Lonesome 100 in the given year, you must meet one of the following requirements:

2025 High Lonesome 100:

  • Finish a 50 mile or 100k trail race between 1/1/2024 and 12/31/2024 (No UTMB owned races allowed).

  • Finish a 100+ mile trail race between 01/01/2022 and 12/31/2024 (No UTMB owned races allowed).

  • Finish the 2024 Sawatch 50/50.

  • Reach at least Hancock during the 2024 High Lonesome 100 under cutoffs.

2026 High Lonesome 100:

  • Finish a 50 mile or 100k trail race between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025 (No UTMB owned races allowed).

  • Finish a 100+ mile trail race between 01/01/2023 and 12/31/2025 (No UTMB owned races allowed).

  • Finish the 2025 Sawatch 50/50.

  • Reach at least Hancock during the 2025 High Lonesome 100 under cutoffs.

Key details:

  1. Due to the exponentional growth in lottery size, we do not offer qualification exceptions. The requirements are firm.

  2. You must wait to register until you are qualified meaning you cannot enter the race or waitlist until you have completed a qualifying race. No exceptions.

  3. Timed races (12hr, 24hr, etc), “Backyard” races (last man standing), and “classic lines” (like Nolan’s 14 or R2R2R) will not be accepted as qualifiers.

  4. Qualifying races must be fully permitted from all relevant land management agencies. Races that illegally utilize wilderness areas, avoid permitting requirements through <75 capacity, require “suggested donations”, or virtual races will not be accepted as qualifiers. The permitting process is important for ethical and responsible land management and to manage the increased recreational toll (including from trail races) on our public lands.

  5. A “trail race” is defined as any race that takes place at least 75% on non-paved surfaces. Non-paved surfaces include singletrack, double track, mining or logging roads, gravel roads, or dirt roads.

  6. Finish is defined as an official finish as classified by the respective race.

Why no UTMB races?

Due to the UTMB Group’s partnership with Ironman, we no longer feel that their company reflects the values that we hold dear. Additionally, they consistently fail to take action on key needs in the sport, namely around gender equity, pregnancy deferrals, and transgender/non-binary entries. For a race with millions of dollars and platform at the top of our sport, they continually demonstrate that their priorities lay elsewhere. As such, we have chosen to remove UTMB Group owned races as qualifiers and encourage runners to seek out races that prioritize the community, sport, and environment instead of those whose objective is maximizing revenue.