Next weekend, the stars of ultra trail running will gather in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the sunshine state of California for the world’s oldest 100-mile race: The Western States 100.
The race has become known as one of the most challenging tests of endurance in the sport with nearly 30,000 feet of elevation gain to be covered within the 30-hour time limit.
When And How To Watch Western States 100
The race starts bright and early at 5 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at the base of Palisades Tahoe, and finish 30 hours later on Sunday, June 29th, 2025. Starting at 6,000 feet above sea level, the air will be thin from the start, and the temperatures can reach as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re keen to follow the athletes, you can catch all the action live on the Western States 100 Youtube. While the livestream is typically great, the service in the rural areas can be dodgy. However, you can also use the live tracker to follow your favorite athletes and keep up to date with important updates on X.
- Link to Western States 100 Youtube.
- Link to Western States 100 Live Tracker.
- Link to Western States 100 X.
What Is The Western States 100 Course?
The race traces the Western States Trail from Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley to Auburn. This trail was used by 20th-century horsemen, 1850s gold and silver miners, and Indigenous communities like the Nisenan and Washoe for millennia.
Despite being net downhill, the course includes 18,000 feet of elevation gain, with the 23,000 feet of descent testing runners’ endurance before they even reach Auburn.
Starting at the crack of dawn at Palisades Tahoe at 6,000 feet above sea level, runners immediately face a 2,550-foot climb over the first 4.5 miles, reaching Emigrant Pass just in time for sunrise.
The next 25 miles on singletrack through the high country are the most technical, winding through the Granite Chief Wilderness. This section often features significant snow, though this year the course will be snow-free.
At Robinson Flat (mile 30.3), the high country gives way to the infamous canyons. Temperatures can reach 100 degrees on the exposed fire roads and singletrack, making heat management crucial, especially at Michigan Bluff (mile 55.7) and Forest Hill (mile 62) aid stations. Here, ice vests, bandanas, and other cooling methods are essential.
Runners can pick up pacers at Forest Hill, where they will tackle the next 16 miles, mostly downhill, to the Rocky Chucky aid station (mile 78) and the American River crossing. Depending on water levels, runners may wade through hip-deep water or take a brief raft ride.
After crossing the river, a two-mile climb leads to Green Gate (mile 79.8), marking the start of the most runnable section. The course continues on rolling singletrack and fire roads until No Hands Bridge (mile 97), followed by a final climb to Robie Point (mile 99). The race concludes with a mile downhill to the Placer High School track, where runners complete the last 250 meters on the track to the finish line.
What’s The Weather Going To Be Like?
The name ‘Sunshine State’ will ring true this weekend.
Daytime temperatures will remain consistent throughout the weekend, ranging from 75 to 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 26 degrees Celsius).
Wind won’t be playing much of a factor, with expected speeds between 7-9 km/h, although runners will need to be prepared for the occasional gust around 35 km/h.
One of the biggest weather factors, however, will be the UV index. Throughout the day the UV will reach 12. A UV index over 11 is considered “extreme,” and very high risk.
According to the AT Melanoma Foundation, “UV Index of 11+ means a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Fair skinned people may burn in less than 5 minutes. Outdoor workers and vacationers who can receive very intense sun exposure are especially at risk. Minimize sun exposure during midday hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours, more frequently if you are sweating or swimming. Avoid being in the sun as much as possible and wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of all UV rays (UVA and UVB). Wear a hat with a wide brim which will block roughly 50% of UV radiation from reaching the eyes.”
Is There Prize Money?
Wester States 100 is operated by a non-profit organization and race director Craig Thornley says that offering prize money goes against the mission of the race.
Instead of prize money, the race offers iconic belt buckles for all participants in addition to the coveted Wendell Robi Cup and Western States Cougar Trophy, and other awards for certain results.
Here’s a list of the awards available at Western States 100:
- The first official male and female runner to cross the finish line within 24 hours will be the winner of the Wendell Robie Cup, a perpetual trophy on which the victor’s name will be engraved.
- The first male and female finishers will each be awarded the bronze Western States Cougar Trophy.
- Additional age-group awards will be given to the top three men and women in the following categories: 39 and under; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, and 70 and over.
- All finishers in under 24:00:00 hours will receive the hand-made silver Western States Endurance Run belt buckle.
- All finishers who finish in a time of 24:00:00 but under 30 hours will receive the hand-made bronze Western States Endurance Run belt buckle to commemorate their achievement.
- All official finishers will receive an attractive finisher’s medallion.
- The oldest male and female finishers will also receive special awards
Out of all the awards available, the silver buckle is likely one of the most iconic in the world of ultrarunning.
“The Silver Buckle is perhaps the most coveted award in ultrarunning. With roots going back to the award given out to finishers of the Tevis Ride, the belt buckle has now become the standard for 100 mile races in the US. Some shorter races even award buckles to finishers. The Western States Silver Buckle has been hand crafted by the family run business Comstock Heritage in Carson City, NV since the beginning. Below is a picture of the buckle given to the winner. All sub-24 hour finishers receive a similar buckle. Note that because these are handcrafted, no two buckles will look exactly alike.”
Men’s Race Preview: Who to Watch
The One To Watch: Kilian Jornet
Let’s start with the obvious…Kilian Jornet is back at Western States for the first time in 13 years. He last raced it in 2011, when he won, and hasn’t touched the event since.
He doesn’t race 100s often, but when he does, he wins, like UTMB and Hardrock in 2022.
This year, he earned his spot through the Chianti Ultra Trail, finishing second to Jim Walmsley. So this isn’t just a nostalgia trip; he’s coming in fit, sharp, and clearly serious.
The big question is how he’ll handle the pace and heat of Western States in an era where sub-15-hour finishes are becoming the standard at the front.
Other Key Storylines
With Jim Walmsley, Hayden Hawks, and a few others out, this year’s race feels wide open, and Rod Farvard is probably the top returning name to watch. He’s had a steady climb here: DNF in 2021, then 58th, then 11th, and last year, he nailed second place in 14:24. If anyone has the course dialed, it’s Farvard.
Adam Peterman returns after a stretch of injuries. He won Western States in 2022, was undefeated in ultras until he wasn’t, and now seems to be back on track after winning Gorge Waterfalls and taking third at CCC last year. If his legs hold up, he knows exactly what it takes to win this race.
Vincent Bouillard is another one to watch. He won UTMB last year in under 20 hours. a big statement, and followed that up with a Golden Ticket at Chianti. But this will be his first real shot at a fast, hot 100-miler. He has the talent, but we haven’t seen how he handles Western States-style terrain and pacing yet.
Then there’s David Roche, who crushed Leadville last year (new course record) and won Javelina in 12:45. He’s known more for his coaching and writing, but his last year of racing shows he’s more than capable of hanging with this field, assuming a recent knee issue doesn’t slow him down.
Other strong contenders:
- Caleb Olson, who ran 14:40 for 5th last year and just won Transgrancanaria.
- Peter Fraňo, a podium finisher at CCC and winner of this year’s Transvulcania.
- Hannes Namberger, one of Europe’s best on runnable mountain courses.
- And a few names like Jeff Mogavero, Seth Ruhling, and Hans Troyer — the latter making his 100-mile debut, who could sneak into the top five or higher if they nail their day.
There’s lots of top contenders this year, making the men’s race more exciting than it’s been in years.
Women’s Race Preview: Who to Watch
The One To Watch: Fu-Zhao Xiang
With Katie Schide and Courtney Dauwalter not racing this year, the women’s field is suddenly wide open. That puts Fu-Zhao Xiang right at the top of the conversation.
She was second last year in 16:20, the third-fastest time in Western States history, and that was in her debut.
She ran smart, steady, and closed hard. Since then, she’s kept a light race schedule, but picked up a couple wins in China and has looked solid. She’s also been steadily climbing the ranks at UTMB over the years, finishing fourth in 2023.
On paper, she’s the one to beat.
But winning Western States isn’t just about previous results. It’s about handling the heat, the early pace, and staying calm when everything starts to unravel late in the day.
Other Key Storylines
Eszter Csillag has been on the podium here two years in a row, and she’s getting faster. She knocked 30+ minutes off her time in 2024 and started this year with a win in Australia. She knows the course, knows how to finish, and is probably the most consistent top-tier returner.
Emily Hawgood is another name that shouldn’t be overlooked. She’s finished in the top 10 four years running — and was fourth last year. She recently beat Hogan at Canyons and always shows up at big races. It’s easy to imagine her finally breaking into the top three.
Riley Brady has had one of the strongest past 12 months in the field. They won Javelina in 2024, then broke the course record at Black Canyon. In 2023, stomach issues ruined their day at States; they still finished, but far from their best. If things go smoother this time, they could absolutely podium.
Marianne Hogan is also back in the mix. She was third here in 2022, second at UTMB later that same year, and finished third again at UTMB in 2024, despite racing with a broken finger. If she’s healthy, she’s one of the grittiest runners in the sport and knows how to compete at this level.
There’s a whole crew of international runners making their 100-mile debuts who could shake up the race too — Rosanna Buchauer from Germany, Hậu Hà from Vietnam, Martyna Młynarczyk from Poland, and Caitlin Fielder from New Zealand all bring legit credentials over 100k, and we’ve seen debutants succeed at States before.
Lin Chen is back after a DNF last year, but has since won the Canyons 100 Mile and finished fourth at UTMB. And Tara Dower, who set the supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail last fall, also brings deep experience in big mountain ultras and could absolutely work her way into the top 5.
The depth here is real. There may not be a single dominant favorite like Schide or Dauwalter this year, but there’s a long list of women who could take the win, or end up gutting it out just to hang onto a top-10 buckle.
