Setting The Stage

Nearly 15 years ago, 4 of the most talented athletes in the sport of trail running converged in Olympic Valley California for the ultimate showdown at that years Western States Endurance Run, which would no doubt determine the undisputed trail running GOAT at the time. That elite group consisted of the young up-and-coming undefeated Spaniard Kilian Jornet, 2 time winner Hal Koerner, unbeaten Alaskan Geoff Roes, and Colorado native Anton Krupicka, who had also claimed victory in every ultra race he had ran. The common consensus among ultra fans and runners across the globe saw one or more of these men dethroning race legend Scott Jurek’s 2004 course record of 15 hours 36 minutes and 27 seconds, but the big questions that really brewed race anticipation were by how much, and who would stand victorious out of the 4 trail racing juggernauts? How far past the point of exhaustion and extreme pain would these men push each other for the shot at the prestigious win?

The trail running world got it’s answer around 15 hours and 7 minutes after the gun went off in the early morning hours as Geoff Roes would take the win, crossing the finish line in Auburn after an insane comeback and battle with Kilian and Anton. Anton would also go under record time, cementing 2010’s race as the undisputed greatest in WSER history, and thanks to the amazing works of J.B Benna and Journeyfilm it is forever immortalized in the masterful cult-classic documentary “Unbreakable: The Western States 100” (my favorite movie of all time, free on YouTube, go watch it!). It’s at the end of this film where Hal Korener makes a statement that has been proved as nothing less than the truth, “I just think that maybe we’re looking at a different era in Western States.”

Since 2010’s legendary running, legends like Timothy Olson, Hayden Hawks, Jim Walmsley, Ellie Greenwood, Courtney Dauwalter, Rob Krar, Tom Evans, and Katie Schide are just some of the names on both the men’s and women’s sides that have shined in the “new era” of States. The race has grown and flourished, and the competition in each year’s race continues to get faster and faster with each field looking stronger than the last, and history continues to get rewritten. This year however, I can without a doubt say that this year’s Western States 100 contains not just its best field of competitors ever, but the best field of competitors in any ultra marathon ever. A field that displays just how far the sport of ultra as a whole has come, and a field that will no doubt push themselves past their breaking points.

Golden Preview ’25

Headlining the 2025 race is none other than the course record holder himself, 35 year old Hoka athlete Jim Walmsley. A four-time winner of WSER and owner of the 2 fastest times (14:13:35 & 14:09:28 respectively) and course record holder and victor at some of the world’s biggest trail races, Jim will return to States for the second year in a row looking to claim his 4th cougar trophy. No doubt a major favorite, Jim knows the race like the back of his hand and always tackles the intense heat, morning chill, and demanding elevation changes with out-of-this-world strength and endurance, backed by his strong mental fortitude. I was truly blessed to watch him run just over his course record last year in person, and he moved through the course like beast.(To read more about Jim, check out my other story on this site, Jim Walmsley: Icone americaine)

Also toeing the line and making his WSER debut is one of if not the most hyped ultra trail runner right now, Leadville record breaker, coach, and strategic mastermind David Roche. Roche climbed back from the depths of injury in April of 2024 and stunned everyone by taking down the aforementioned long-standing Leadville 100 course record. He then set out on the goal he looks to accomplish this summer, winning WSER in his first attempt at the race. After earning his golden ticket at Javelina Jundred, it’s been all systems go, and watching his workouts and exploring his philosophies on his Youtube channel show just how much of a threat to the race field he is. His outlooks on training, recovery, and nutrition are groundbreaking and so unique and calculated. He’s 100% dialed in, and even though he will be a rookie on the trail, I believe he can very well steal the win and maybe even pose a very real threat to Walmsley’s course record. (If you want to read more on Roche, check out my article “Roche Rising” on this site!)

But watch out world! Making his grand return to Western States is the legendary Spanish athlete many consider to be one of if not the GOAT of ultra trail running, Kilian Jornet. Representing his own co-founded brand NNormal, Kilian will take on the historic race for the first time since his win back in 2011. Born and raised in the Pyrenees mountains, Jornet was simply destined to become the trail running freak athlete he is today. His illustrious career speaks for itself, with feats spanning from course records to world records, Kilian is always a realistic contender for the win in whatever race he’s in, with the challenging WSER race this June being no exception. (Want more on Kilian too? Yep, I’ve got an article for that! Check out “Kilian: Man of The Mountains” on this site!)

These next two major athletes return to States with a vengeance, and both their eyes set on nothing less than first place. I’m talking about both Hayden Hawks and Rod Farvard, who concluded their Western States 2024 race with a thrilling 1 on 1 dash to the finish, with Rod taking 2nd and Hayden taking 3rd with times of 14:24:15 and 14:24:31 respectively (You best believe it I was going bananas when this one happened, crazy finish!). Hailing from Utah, Hayden is well accomplished, and even earned 2nd place in Freetrail’s 2024 Trail Runner of The Year voting. However the 1st place podium spot at WSER has evaded the Black Canyon 100k record holder, getting as close as second place to the legendary honor. I know Hayden is training hard, and both his resilience and never give up attitude are both such admirable traits that no doubt translate to his amazing performances. Hayden may have been pushed out of the win column of States up to this point, but his performance on the course has improved greatly over the years, and this could very well be his year to pop off and finally achieve the goal he has been after for so long. As for Rod Farvard, his 2024 WSER run will go down in history as an incredible effort, and watching him challenge Walmsley for the lead had me on the edge of my seat. This year’s competition is extremely tough, but if he can run like he did last year plus some, he’s definitely in the mix for the win.

This year will also mark the return of 2022 winner 29 year old Adam Peterman, who showed out big time with his victory at Western States 2022 in his debut year at the race. After being unfortunately sidelined with a stress fracture for the majority of 2023, Peterman is back, looking to defend his 1-0 record at states. Making his States debut this summer is the 2024 UTMB 100 champion Vincent Bouillard, who will walk into Olympic Valley with victories at prominent races including the Kodiak ultramarathons by UTMB and Gorge Waterfalls 100k.

This field is LEGENDARY. Truly the best trail runners from across the world will go head to head, and the excitement and anticipation for ultra fans couldn’t be much higher. The level of competition on the line will push everyone in the race to their absolute limits. This race may break some of these athletes, and whoever really wants the win will have to be unbreakable. Speaking of unbreakable, thanks to Freetrail and Journeyfilm, a sequel to 2010’s Unbreakable will be filmed this year to document the event and it’s biggest competitors. 15 years ago the world witnessed the wildest, most hyped, and most insane Western States ever, a race that propelled the historic challenge of human endurance into a new era. Now 15 years later, we will witness a race that very well could once again change the race and the sport of trail running as we know it. It’s gonna be a golden summer!

Living Out Dreams

I first experienced Western States in 2022 with a running camp led by my uncle and his good friend. I was in 8th grade, coming off of a major injury, and was about to enter high school. I was blown away by the race. Watching it was an experience that I knew I would never forget, seeing these super star elite athletes cover that seemingly unfathomable distance of 100 miles in less than 30 hours was one of the coolest, greatest things I’d ever seen.

“What makes it so amazing to me is that you get a very diverse amount of competitors.” said ERHS varsity track and xc athlete Daniel Brown, who has seen WSER in person twice. “You’ll see professional runners all the way up to someones grandparents finishing the race. Seeing that all these people push themselves to 100 miles no matter their age just makes me say wow!”

It was the morning of the Golden Hour at that 2022 Western States, standing on the Placer High school track after an exhausting and fun week of running adventures, watching a man finish a race that he had been running for well over a day straight that a thought dawned on me.

My mom recalled something I told my uncle that morning, “You were literally watching dreams come true. In real time.”

So many people from countless different backgrounds all with different reasonings, but all there to conquer one goal and one dream: 100 miles, 1 day. Watching people living dreams right in front of you really is so special. As the race came to a close, and Roy Rogers’ iconic folk toon “Happy Trails to You” flowed through the stadium speakers, I felt overcome with amazement and joy. Nearly three years, and I am still fascinated by this race and it’s competitors, and now have my own dreams to conquer the beautiful course myself. I have had the honor of seeing it two more times in person, running parts of the trail, partying with amazing people, and even meeting stars like Jim, Courtney, Adam Peterman, and Dakota Jones. Thank you Western States for helping me grow in my faith, find myself, for giving me and so many others a dream, a goal, and joy. See you at States!