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Pinhoti 100 is a 100 miles ultra marathon in Sylacauga, United States. Distance: 161km. Elevation: 4,000m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 41/100). DNF rate: 22%. Time limit: 34h. Surface: trail. Established 2010.

100 miles challenging hilly trail forest fast

Pinhoti 100

Sylacauga, Alabama, United States

"100 miles on Alabama's Pinhoti Trail — a fast, runnable course through southern Appalachian forest."

41
Challenging
Distance 161km
Elevation Gain ↑4,000m
Surface trail
DNF Rate 22%
Cutoff 34h
What Makes It Unique

A fast 100-miler on Alabama's Pinhoti Trail through the Talladega National Forest — one of the more runnable 100-mile courses in America.

The Course

Following the Pinhoti Trail through the Talladega National Forest in Alabama's southern Appalachians. The course runs along mountain ridgelines, through hardwood forests, and past remote backcountry. A fast course by 100-mile standards with relatively moderate climbing.

Profile

hilly

Topology

point-to-point

Aid Stations

14

Highest Point

680m

Yes Crew Access
Yes Pacers (after 80km)
No Mandatory Gear

Runner Experience

Scenery 3/5
Organization 4/5
Community 4/5
Aid Stations

Solid aid station network with 14 stops along the course. Standard ultra fare — food, electrolytes, first aid.

Post-Race Culture

Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.

Race Day Weather

Temperature

10°C

2° – 18°

Humidity

65%

Rain Chance

30%

Conditions

November in Alabama mountains. Cool and pleasant. Ideal running temperatures. Night sections can be genuinely cold.

Stats & Records

Established

2010

Finishers

200

Avg Finish

27:00:00

Course Record (M)

14:52:12

Hayden Hawks (2022)

Course Record (W)

18:33:45

Courtney Dauwalter (2023)

Entry

Entry Cost

$200

Opens

March

Sells Out

weeks

Max Starters: 300
Official Website →

Lore & Trivia

The Pinhoti 100 runs through the Talladega National Forest in Alabama — deep Southern Appalachia where the trail surface is red clay, the forest is dense, and the humidity is thick enough to swim through. The course follows the Pinhoti Trail, a National Recreation Trail that connects to the Appalachian Trail via the Benton MacKaye Trail. The terrain is classic Appalachian: rolling ridges, rocky stream crossings, and endless short climbs that never let you find a rhythm. November timing means short days and cold nights, and the Alabama backcountry has a raw quality that distinguishes it from the manicured trails of New England.

  • 100 miles through Alabama's Talladega National Forest.
  • Follows the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail.
  • Red clay trail surface that becomes treacherous when wet.
  • Connects to the Appalachian Trail via the Benton MacKaye Trail.
  • November timing means cold nights and short daylight hours.
  • Deep Southern Appalachian character — remote and raw.
  • One of the southernmost 100-milers on the Appalachian trail system.

Alabama doesn't have mountains. It has a thousand small hills that feel like mountains after 80 miles.

— A Pinhoti runner On the relentless Appalachian terrain

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Pinhoti 100? +

Pinhoti 100 is a 100 miles (161km) ultra marathon with 4,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.

How hard is Pinhoti 100? +

Pinhoti 100 is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 41/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 22%. Runners have 34 hours to finish.

What is the weather like at Pinhoti 100? +

Average temperature is 10°C (range 2°C to 18°C) with 65% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. November in Alabama mountains. Cool and pleasant. Ideal running temperatures. Night sections can be genuinely cold.

Are crew and pacers allowed at Pinhoti 100? +

Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 80km.

What is the course record for Pinhoti 100? +

The men's course record is 14:52:12 set by Hayden Hawks in 2022. The women's course record is 18:33:45 set by Courtney Dauwalter in 2023.

What is the average finish time for Pinhoti 100? +

The average finish time is 27:00:00. About 200 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 22%.

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