An estimated 370 runners from around the world will gather at Palisades Tahoe on Saturday morning (June 27) for the start of the 53rd Western States 100 endurance run.
The grueling race starts at Palisades Tahoe and finishes at Placer High School in Auburn. The course covers 100.2 miles and features an astounding 18,000 feet of climbing and 22,000 feet of descent. Western States remains one of the premier events in ultrarunning and typically draws thousands of spectators.
Western States begins at 5 a.m. in Olympic Valley with a challenging climb from the base area of Palisades Tahoe to Emigrant Pass at 8,750 feet, before traversing the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada. Along the way, runners will cross high alpine ridgelines, remote backcountry trails, deep river canyons, and historic Gold Rush-era pathways.
Athletes must also typically contend with extreme summer temperatures, particularly in the race’s lower canyon sections where temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees.
First held in 1974, Western States has grown into one of the most high-profile endurance races worldwide, with thousands of athletes entering an annual lottery for the opportunity to compete.
“For more than five decades, Western States has brought together a remarkable community of runners, volunteers and supporters,” said Carrie Meng, Assistant Race Director for the Western States. “The journey from Olympic Valley to Auburn is steeped in history and remains one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in our sport.”
Spectators looking for a unique vantage point are encouraged to ride Palisades Tahoe’s Aerial Tram on race morning.
From High Camp, guests can watch runners crest the mountain shortly after the start, offering one of the best views of the race and the surrounding Sierra Nevada landscape. The early morning Aerial Tram will begin operating at 4 a.m. on Saturday.
The runners will begin reaching the Auburn area Saturday evening. The final runners will continue arriving throughout Saturday evening and into the darkness early Sunday and in the morning hours at Placer High.
Strong Men’s Field: This year’s field includes multiple former champions and several runners coming off career-best performances. The runners come from 41 states and 33 countries and territories, giving Western States a true international appeal.
Three previous Western States winners headline the men’s field, including four-time champion Jim Walmsley, who returns after missing last year’s race due to injury. Walmsley owns the course record of 14 hours, 9 minutes, set in 2019. He won Western States in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024. For obvious reasons, many consider Walmsley this year’s favorite.
If healthy, Kilian Jornet of Spain is among the contenders. He won Western States in 2011 and returned last year after a 14-year absence, finishing third in 14:19, the fifth-fastest time in race history. A knee issue this spring may hinder his chances.
Adam Peterman, the 2022 champion, may have regained his top form after injuries the past two seasons. Peterman earned a victory at the Canyons 100K in April and could be one of the lead runners at Western States.
Jeff Mogavero finished fourth in his Western States debut a year ago with one of the fastest times for a first-time runner. New Zealand’s Daniel Jones has finished fourth or fifth in his three appearances.
Hans Troyer is another runner to watch. He placed eighth in his Western States debut last year and captured first at the Black Canyon 100K this season in course-record fashion.
Note that last year’s winner – Caleb Olson and runner-up Chris Myers – are not in this year’s Western States field.
Talented Women’s Field: Defending champion Abby Hall returns after posting a winning time of 16:37 in 2025. The time was the fourth-fastest women’s performance in race history.
The international field is strong this year. China’s Fu-Zhao Xiang is expected to be among the top female finishers. She placed second each of the last two years and owns the third-fastest women’s time.
Canadian standout Marianne Hogan finished third last year at Western States. She has become one of the sport’s most consistent performers, earning podium finishes at Western States and UTMB.
Fiona Pascall of Great Britain should be among the women contenders after winning the Lake Sonoma 100K earlier this year. Hu Hà of Vietnam returns, coming off a sixth-place finish in her Western States debut last year. Another strong runner is Emily Hawgood, who has five consecutive Top-10 Western States finishes.
For additional race information, visit www.wser.org.
