The most legendary 100-mile races have to be earned twice: on the trail, and first in the lottery. Western States, Hardrock, UTMB and the Tor des Géants get far more applications than places, each with its own qualifying and ticket rules. Here’s how the main lotteries work for 2027, and how to improve your odds.
The short answer
- Western States: applications from 1 to 21 November 2026, draw on 5 December 2026. Your tickets double every year you miss out.
- Hardrock: applications closed on 14 October 2026, draw on 5 December 2026. About 5% odds in 2026.
- Leadville: free lottery from 1 to 15 December 2026, results on 6 January 2027.
- UTMB, Tor des Géants, Diagonale des Fous: pre-registration then a draw, with entry rules specific to each race.
Ultra lotteries, race by race
1. Western States 100: the most competitive lottery
Western States covers 100.2 miles from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Auburn, California. Its lottery is famous for very low odds: in 2024, 9,388 applicants shared 53,966 tickets for about 270 lottery places. With a single ticket, the odds were below 1%.
- Race: 26 and 27 June 2027
- Lottery: applications from 1 to 21 November 2026, draw on 5 December 2026.
- Tickets: 2^(n-1), where n is the number of consecutive years you’ve applied without being drawn. 1 ticket in year 1, 2 in year 2, 4 in year 3, 8 in year 4…
- Qualifying: finish a qualifying race within the time limit. Races shorter than 100 miles must have at least 2,500 m (8,200 ft) of climbing.
Read our full guide to Western States 2027.
2. Hardrock 100: 10,000 m of climbing and a weighted lottery
Hardrock covers 101.8 miles in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, with more than 10,000 m of climbing and a high point of 4,282 m (14,048 ft). The lottery separates runners who have never finished it from past finishers. In 2026, 147 runners got in out of nearly 3,000 applicants, about 5%.
- Race: Friday 9 July 2027
- Lottery: applications closed on 14 October 2026, draw on 5 December 2026.
- Qualifying: finish a designated qualifying race (often a tough 100-miler) and do 8 hours of volunteer work.
- Bonus: repeat volunteering earns extra tickets (1 ticket for 3 to 5 years of service, 2 for 6 to 8, 3 for 9 to 11).
Read our complete guide to Hardrock 100 2027.
3. Leadville Trail 100: the free lottery
The Leadville Trail 100 Run is held at high altitude in Colorado, starting above 3,100 m (10,200 ft). Its lottery is simple: one application per person, free, and your card is only charged if you’re drawn.
- Race: Saturday 21 August 2027
- Lottery: from 1 to 15 December 2026, results on 6 January 2027.
- Other route: finish a Leadville Series qualifying race (Leadville Trail Marathon, Silver Rush 50 Run, Austin Rattler Run), each of which awards at least 35 entry coins for the 100.
- Guaranteed entry: camp + entry packages, coaching + entry or charity places.
4. UTMB: Running Stones and pre-registration
For UTMB Mont-Blanc, entry to the finals goes through pre-registration and a lottery. Your Running Stones, earned at UTMB World Series races, increase your chances in the draw. You also need a valid UTMB Index.
- Race: Chamonix, late August (24 to 30 August in 2026).
- Pre-registration: the 2027 rules and dates haven’t been published by the organiser yet.
- Tip: run UTMB World Series events to collect Running Stones before the draw.
- Best for: trail runners aiming for Chamonix who plan over several seasons.
All the details in our article on UTMB 2027 registration.
5. Tor des Géants: 330 km and country quotas
The Tor des Géants (TOR330) covers 330 km and 24,000 m of climbing on the Alte Vie 1 and 2 of Italy’s Aosta Valley. In 2026, more than 1,900 runners pre-registered for 1,100 places.
- Race: September (start on 13 September in 2026).
- Entry: pre-registration, then a draw with country quotas. In 2026, selected runners had to confirm their entry from 1 to 15 March.
- Priority route: in 2026, 334 runners got in directly with a PAX, earned by finishing a race of the TORX eXperience circuit.
- Best for: experienced ultra runners ready for several days in the mountains.
6. Diagonale des Fous: lottery and qualifying points
The Diagonale des Fous crosses Réunion Island over about 180 km since 2026, with more than 10,000 m of climbing. It starts at night in Saint-Pierre, in October.
- Race: October
- Entry: pre-registration between January and March, then a draw in early spring, with nationality quotas. 3,000 places maximum.
- Qualifying: complete two qualifying races worth about 85 points each.
- Best for: trail runners who want the most legendary ultra of the French overseas territories.
7. Cocodona 250: the new American lottery
Cocodona 250 crosses Arizona over 250 miles. For 2027, the race moved to a lottery for the first time, with no qualifying standard: anyone can try their luck with one ticket.
- Lottery: it ran from 1 to 18 May 2026, with results on 1 June 2026. For 2028, watch the same period.
- Tickets: 1 base ticket, plus 1 per previous finish (3 maximum) and 1 or 2 for volunteers.
- Gender balance: the women’s pool gets a 7% boost in odds, up to a 50/50 ratio.
- Best for: runners drawn to the 250-mile format.
The 2027 lottery calendar
| Race | 2027 race date | Lottery | Qualifying | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western States | 26-27 June | 5 December 2026 (applications 1-21 November) | Qualifying race | Below 1% with 1 ticket (2024) |
| Hardrock | 9 July | 5 December 2026 | Qualifying race + 8 h volunteering | About 5% (2026) |
| Leadville | 21 August | Results on 6 January 2027 (lottery 1-15 December) | None for the lottery | Not published |
| UTMB | Late August | Not yet published | UTMB Index + Running Stones | Depends on your Running Stones |
| Tor des Géants | September | After pre-registration | PAX or draw | 1,100 places for 1,900+ pre-registered (2026) |
| Diagonale des Fous | October | Early spring | 2 races of about 85 points | 3,000 places max |
Don’t put everything on one lottery: enter several draws in the same season, and keep a back-up race with direct entry.
How to improve your odds
- Get your qualifiers done early. Most lotteries require a qualifying race finished within a set window. Plan it a year ahead.
- Apply every year. At Western States, your tickets double every year you miss out: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16… Consistency pays off.
- Volunteer. Hardrock and Cocodona give extra tickets to regular volunteers.
- Start training as soon as you’re drawn. A 100-miler takes months of preparation, with lots of climbing. Work out the elevation gain of your runs to track your progress.
A plan for your first 100-miler
RunMotion Coach builds your ultra trail training plan, personalised to your level, your goal and your race date, taking elevation into account. Try it free for 7 days.
FAQ
How does the Western States lottery work?
Every year you’re not drawn, your number of tickets doubles (2^(n-1)). You also need to finish a qualifying race. For 2027, applications run from 1 to 21 November 2026, and the draw takes place on 5 December 2026.
What are the odds of getting into Hardrock?
In 2026, 147 runners got in out of nearly 3,000 applicants, about 5%. Never-finishers and past finishers each have their own pool.
Do I need a qualifier for the Leadville lottery?
No, the Leadville lottery is free and open to everyone. You can also earn your place at a Leadville Series qualifying race.
What are UTMB Running Stones?
They’re points earned by finishing UTMB World Series races. The more you have, the better your chances in the draw for the finals in Chamonix.
Want to look further afield? Read our world tour of the craziest ultra trails and our tips on fuelling during an ultra trail.
Got drawn? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your training all the way to the start line.
Updated 28 October 2026.
