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MULTIDAYRUNNING
Fixed-Distance

No Business 100

A single 100.2-mile loop from Pickett CCC Memorial State Park through the Big South Fork into Kentucky and back, run counterclockwise in 2026, with about 14,500 ft of climbing and a 34-hour limit.

Date
Oct 23-24, 2026
Location
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, Jamestown, Tennessee, USA
Distance
100.2 mi
Terrain
Trail
Plan this race Official website

Event dates, entry rules, qualification standards, and course details can change. Always verify current information on the official event website before registering or booking travel.

Event Overview

Listed edition overview
DateOct 23-24, 2026
LocationPickett CCC Memorial State Park, Jamestown, Tennessee, USA
FormatFixed-Distance
TerrainTrail
RegionNorth America
Distance / duration100.2 mi
State / areaTennessee and Kentucky (TN, KY)
Course modelLoop
Edition noteThe 2026 race is full on RunSignup (checked October 12); a waitlist is open and registration closes October 21 at 11:59 PM CDT. The 2026 runner’s manual, last updated September 29, uses a 100.2-mile counterclockwise course; the homepage still lists 102 miles. Piney Butte became a no-crew aid station (drop bags still allowed) on September 29, and the September 19 training run was cancelled. RunSignup shows a 7:00 AM–5:00 PM CDT event window, but the manual sets an 8:00 AM CT start and 6:00 PM CT finish.
Elevation gainAbout 14,500 ft (the manual estimates 14,000–15,000 ft)
Cutoff34 hours (finish by 6:00 PM CT Saturday). Eight hard and five soft aid-station cutoffs; every cutoff is a deadline for leaving the aid station.
Start8:00 AM Central Time Friday
HighlightsSingle-Loop 100, Western States Qualifier

Course & Terrain

One counterclockwise loop (the even-year direction) from the Pickett State Park Group Camp through Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Pickett State Park and Scott and Pickett State Forests. Mostly technical singletrack and doubletrack, with about 13 miles of gravel road and less than 1 mile of pavement.

Key course features to know before comparing this race:

  • Twin Arches
  • Charit Creek Lodge
  • Blue Heron mining community and bridge
  • Cracks in the Rock
  • No Business settlement

Entry & Logistics

Listed qualification and support details
Registration and feesCheck the official event website for current availability, deadlines, prices, taxes, and refund terms.
Support model15 aid-station visits at 14 locations plus the start/finish; Blue Heron is visited twice. Stations stock water, HUMA gels, Tailwind, snacks and real food such as quesadillas, bean burritos and broth.
Crew / pacersFive crew-access points besides the start/finish: Pickett, Bandy Creek, Duncan Hollow (shuttle from Bandy Creek plus a one-mile hike), Blue Heron and Peters Mountain. One crew vehicle per runner. Pacers may join from Bandy Creek (mile 23.6), only at crew-access stations, one at a time and with no muling; runners over 60 may have a pacer throughout.
Drop bagsFive on-course drop bags: Bandy Creek, Duncan Hollow, Blue Heron (one bag for both visits), Piney Butte and Peters Mountain, plus one at the start/finish. Drop-off closes at 7:45 AM CT on race morning; bags are not accepted Thursday.
Logistics notePacket pickup is Thursday, October 22, 3:00–9:00 PM at the Group Camp, with a pre-race meal and a 7:00 PM briefing; runner check-in is Friday 6:30–7:45 AM. Bunkhouse beds and tent-camping passes are booked through RunSignup. Can’t Stop Timing provides chip timing, and crews can follow mat splits in the RaceJoy app.

Why This Race Matters

Ultranaut Running has staged the No Business 100 since 2017 as one of the few single-loop 100-milers in the US, reversing the direction every year; runners who finish it in both directions earn a Double Buckle. The 2026 race, the 10th edition, is an official qualifier for the 2027 Western States 100.

Preparing for a Race Like No Business 100

The 100-mile race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:

Planning Notes

  • Treat intermediate cutoff gates as part of the course. Build enough margin for aid stops and late-race slowdown, and verify every current gate in the official rules.
  • Train for terrain-specific fatigue. Technical trails and mountain courses demand downhill durability, hiking efficiency, and reliable night lighting.
  • The directory does not mark this as having simpler logistics. Confirm qualification, terrain, support, registration, medical, and withdrawal requirements before planning around it.
  • All times and cutoffs are Central Time, though most of the course is in the Eastern time zone; turn off automatic time-zone changes on watches and phones.
  • Mandatory gear: capacity for 1 L of water, an emergency blanket or bivy, and a headlamp for the night. There is no crew or drop bag for about 22.9 miles between Duncan Hollow and Blue Heron.
  • Expect creek fords, rocky and rooty trail, unprotected cliff edges and little or no cell coverage.
  • Cup-free race: carry your own cup, bottle or hydration pack.

Verification & Sources

Verification scope: the listed edition's date, location, format, and available logistics were checked against the event-specific official sources below during the directory review dated October 12, 2026. Organizers can revise details after review.

  1. Official No Business 100 homepage — https://nobusiness100.com/
  2. Official course and aid-station page — https://nobusiness100.com/course/
  3. 2026 runner’s manual (updated September 29) — https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wQlcFLwEj_h_hXKE2Kk9MiM4DaaPC9MP6ibRiXf6PdM/edit?usp=sharing
  4. 2026 crew and pacer guide — https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QUAn2RutVzOEfP4vc6_rn3QkgbfzKn_WIW8wvlRySwc/edit?usp=sharing
  5. Official rules, policies and runner information — https://nobusiness100.com/runners/
  6. Organizer’s 2026 RunSignup registration and waitlist — https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Jamestown/NoBusiness100
  7. Multiday Running event directory review scope: October 12, 2026.