The Plain Endurance Runs, set for September 19, 2026, in the stunning, remote Cascade mountains near Leavenworth, WA, offers an unparalleled challenge for the self-sufficient ultrarunner. This event, born in 1997, is renowned for its "plain tough" character, designed for experienced trail runners seeking a graduate-level adventure. Participants can choose between the demanding 100-mile (100M) or 100-kilometer (100K) distances, both starting and finishing at the Deep Creek Campground in the Entiat River Valley. Typical race day conditions in mid-September feature pleasant highs around 77°F and lows around 50°F, with a minimal chance of precipitation.

The course itself is a testament to true wilderness running, with approximately 85 miles of USFS trails and 20 miles of forest service roads for the 100M distance, featuring roughly 21,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, peaking at 7,000 feet. Runners will navigate a rugged landscape of substantial rocks, roots, and ruts, often encountering unmaintained paths with fallen logs or sections shaped by motorcycle use. Crucially, the Plain Endurance Runs are a self-supported affair: there are no pacers, no course markings (requiring expert navigation with maps or GPS), and no traditional aid stations. Runners must carry all their food and gear, relying on natural water sources like creeks and rivers along the way, with one re-supply point available at Deep Creek after the first 100K loop for 100M participants. Search and Rescue volunteers staff checkpoints to monitor progress, but offer no navigational assistance, embodying the race's motto: "it's you and you alone against the course."

This "no-frills ultrarunning at its finest" promises profound introspection and solitude amidst breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Historically, the Plain 100 had a very low finisher rate, with only four completions in its first eight years, though roughly 50% now conquer the course, earning a unique hand-painted rock instead of traditional medals. As a non-profit event, proceeds directly benefit local Search and Rescue and military veteran support groups. The Plain Endurance Runs offers a truly epic and authentic challenge for those prepared to embrace the wild and test their limits.