You must maintain a certain minimum pace to finish the hike by midnight. Each support station has a cut-off time based on that pace. If you reach a station after that cut-off, you must withdraw from the hike (see Dropping Out).

Remember that you will likely walk slower the further you hike, so if you don’t make a cut-off time, you would be even less likely to reach the next station in time. In addition, a first aid or support station volunteer may ask you to withdraw for health reasons. Please cooperate for your own safety.

The minimum average pace needed to finish the hike by midnight is 3 mph for the 100K and 2.2 mph for the 50K. For reference, an average walking pace is 3.5 mph. 

Note that for the 50K, cut-off times are based on the 2.2 mph minimum pace needed to finish the hike by midnight, and are not related to the stations’ closing times. The stations remain open later than the 50K cut-offs because 100K hikers generally arrive later than the 50K hikers.