Why it matters
Earning a spot in the Western States 100, one of the most prestigious ultramarathons in the world, typically requires years of lottery entries. But a little-known raffle offers a shortcut, and it’s open to anyone with a qualifying race.
What’s happening
Twice each year, the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) Foundation holds a sanctioned raffle awarding up to five automatic entries into the iconic 100-miler. The next drawing will take place Dec. 6, 2025, in Auburn, Calif.
- Tickets are $5 each, or $4 when buying 10 or more.
- One entry is drawn for every $5,000 raised, with a maximum of five winners per raffle.
- All proceeds support the WSER Foundation’s trail work, medical research, and other charitable programs.
The most recent drawing, held in June 2025 in Olympic Valley, produced five winners:
Kevin O’Malley, Eric Noeth, Westley Cornett, Brett Deatherage, and Justin Dyszelski.
Five others won in December 2024, including: Jeff Spencer, Joe Burns, Travis Kushner, Rich Wilson, and Carolyn Lake.
The fine print
To be eligible, entrants must have completed a qualifying race by Nov. 1 of the year prior to the event.
- Tickets must be purchased by mail—online sales are prohibited under California law.
- In-person sales are allowed on the day of the drawing.
- Entries are pulled from a master sheet, and names are announced live.
Perhaps most notably, entries are transferable—a rarity in the ultrarunning world. This allows non-runners to gift a winning spot to a friend or family member, provided the recipient meets the qualifying standard.
- Transfers must be completed by Nov. 1 the year before race day.
- Selling or reselling entries is strictly prohibited.
The bigger picture
While winning a raffle ticket is still a long shot, it offers a rare chance to bypass the often years-long wait for a Western States bib.
And for the cost of a coffee, the payoff could be a start line at one of ultrarunning’s crown jewels.
👉 Learn more or download the order form at wser.org/raffle
