Rabid Raccoon 100

Western States Qualifier

Your Path to Western States Starts in Western Pennsylvania

The Rabid Raccoon 100 has quickly grown from a regional trail race into one of the most talked-about ultramarathons in the country. Now, it has reached a major milestone: Rabid Raccoon 100 is officially a Western States Qualifier.

For ultrarunners with their eyes on the most iconic race in North America, this puts Rabid Raccoon firmly on the map as a must-run event.

What Does It Mean to Be a Western States Qualifier?

The Western States Endurance Run is the oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race in the world. Because demand far exceeds available spots, runners must first qualify at a designated event before they can apply for entry.

Being named a qualifier means Rabid Raccoon 100 meets Western States’ strict standards for:

Course difficulty and fairness
Event organization and safety
Competitive depth and integrity

You can learn more about how races earn qualifier status directly from Western States here:
👉 https://www.wser.org/how-western-states-selects-qualifying-races/

Rabid Raccoon 100 Qualifying Standards

The Rabid Raccoon 100 offers two clear paths to qualification:

🦝 100 Mile

All finishers qualify
This applies to those who finished the 100 Mile in 2025
It also applies to all finishers at the 2026 race

🦝 100K

Finish under 22 hours to qualify
The same standard applies to both 2025 and 2026

That means runners lining up this May have a great opportunity to earn their qualifier on a fast-growing, professionally run course without the pressure of cutthroat qualification thresholds.

Why Rabid Raccoon?

Rabid Raccoon 100 is more than just a qualifier—it’s an experience.

Held at Brady’s Run Park in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, the race has become known for:

A challenging but runnable course
Exceptional aid stations and volunteer support
A welcoming atmosphere for both first-time and veteran ultrarunners
Rapid national growth, with runners traveling from across the U.S.

In 2025 alone, the event welcomed over 1,400 runners, cementing its reputation as one of the premier trail events in the country.

Looking Ahead to May 2026

The 2026 Rabid Raccoon 100 takes place in May, giving runners a prime spring opportunity to:

Punch their ticket to Western States
Build momentum early in the season
Compete in a race that balances elite credentials with a friendly, grassroots feel

If Western States is on your long-term radar, Rabid Raccoon offers one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to take the next step.

What Happens After You Qualify?

Once you earn a qualifier, the next step is applying to Western States’ lottery system. Full details on how the process works—including ticket counts, lottery rules, and timelines—can be found here:
👉 https://www.wser.org/entry-process/

Run Wild. Run Smart. Run Rabid.

Whether you’re chasing a Western States buckle or simply looking for your next great ultra challenge, Rabid Raccoon 100 delivers. With official qualifier status, a proven course, and a rapidly growing national profile, there’s never been a better time to toe the line in western Pennsylvania.

Your Western States journey can start here.