California · Lake Cuyamaca
San Diego
Qualifier status per the 2026 lists
Founded in 2001 by Paul Schmidt, the San Diego 100 is a 100-mile loop through five distinct mountain zones east of the city — Mt. Laguna, the Pacific Crest Trail, Noble Canyon, Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, and Lake Cuyamaca — on 90% single-track with 15,400 feet of gain. Temperatures can reach 100°F in the first 50 miles and near freezing in the second half. The 32-hour cutoff qualifies for Western States; runners must complete 6 volunteer hours or donate $105 before entry. The 2025 edition drew 135 finishers.
The numbers
Race statistics
- Distance
- 100 mi
- Vertical gain
- 13,000 ft
- Course
- Loop
- Unique miles
- 97 mi
- Lottery
- Yes
- Sub-24 hr
- 5%
- Avg finishers
- 135
- Required
- Volunteer
130 ft / mi
1 mi loop
Draw ~Jan 1, 2027
of finishers
per year
The course
Course line from published GPX · source · approximate — always follow official markings
◈ From the runners