The Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run will return to Wrightwood the weekend of August 2–3, marking another chapter in one of the country’s oldest ultramarathons. Runners will begin the 100-mile course on Saturday at 5 a.m. from the Wrightwood Community Center parking lot.
The event, known as the AC100, was first held in 1986 and has since become a long-standing fixture in the endurance running community. It is considered one of the original five 100-mile races in the United States. The 2025 course follows an out-and-back route through the San Gabriel Mountains, with runners traveling to the turnaround point at Shortcut Saddle (mile 50) before returning to the finish in Wrightwood.
Participants face more than 100 miles of rugged terrain, steep climbs, and remote trail sections, with elevation gains reaching into the tens of thousands of feet. The route passes through the Angeles National Forest and offers both scenic views and significant physical demands. Over the years, portions of the course have been rerouted due to weather events, wildfires, or forest conditions, but Wrightwood has remained the anchor point for the race.
This year’s field is expected to include more than 275 runners from across California and beyond. The race typically draws a mix of returning veterans and first-time ultramarathoners, many of whom train specifically for the high-altitude conditions and technical nature of the course.
All participants are required to complete at least eight hours of trail maintenance as a condition of entry. This effort is part of the AC100’s ongoing environmental commitment and is intended to support trail preservation and restoration efforts throughout the Angeles National Forest. Trail maintenance hours may be completed independently or through coordinated events with the Angeles Crest 100 Trail Volunteers.
Community members are invited to support the runners by attending the early-morning start on Saturday or by visiting Wrightwood on Sunday to welcome finishers as they return. The first finishers are typically expected by early Sunday morning, with runners continuing to cross the finish line throughout the day.
More information about the race, including maps, volunteer opportunities, and race rules, is available at www.ac100.com.
