Western States Endurance Run Guide

Western States Endurance Run Guide: Explore this comprehensive resource to master the legendary 100-mile ultra marathon. Designed for both first-timers and seasoned runners, this guide covers route details, race strategy, qualification tips, training recommendations, essential gear, and everything you need to succeed at the Western States. Let’s unlock your best performance on one of ultrarunning’s most prestigious courses.

The Western States Endurance Run is the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail ultramarathon. First held as a footrace in 1977, it traces the historic Western States Trail from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California. The event has earned its reputation by drawing top ultrarunners from around the globe, all facing the same gauntlet of high-country climbs, searing canyon heat, and rugged Sierra Nevada terrain. Over five decades, it has grown into an iconic test of physical and mental endurance, celebrated for its storied history and community spirit. Runners who conquer this course earn not only a finisher’s medal but also a place in ultrarunning lore.

When it is run: 

Last full weekend in June. The race begins at 5:00 a.m. on the last full weekend in June, typically on a Saturday in late June. Starting in pre-dawn darkness, runners climb above tree line before sunrise, then battle heat as they descend into the American River Canyon. Temperatures at the start hover in the low 40s °F, while sections in the canyon often reach the upper 80s or low 90s °F. Over the course of 30 hours, participants experience both mountain chill and desert-like heat, demanding careful pace and gear choices. The cutoff for being considered an official finisher is 30 hours after the start.

How to qualify or register: 

Lottery entry via qualifying races. Entry into Western States is determined by a weighted lottery and a limited number of automatic entries for top finishers of designated “Golden Ticket” races. To enter the lottery, a runner must finish one of the approved qualifying races—typically other 100 mile or 100 km events with at least 8,200 ft of elevation gain—within its time limit during the annual qualifying period (November through November). After completing a qualifier, athletes register on the WSER portal in November, and lottery selections occur in December. Runners not selected retain and accumulate additional lottery “tickets” each year, doubling their odds with each unsuccessful attempt.

Particular challenges: 

Extreme climbs, temperature swings, river crossing, and night miles
The Western States course challenges athletes with relentless elevation changes, including over 18,700 ft of cumulative climbing and 23,600 ft of descent. Runners face a punishing early ascent to Emigrant Pass, steep canyon descents and climbs around Michigan Bluff, and the infamous Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78. Temperature swings from cool alpine mornings to scorching canyon afternoons test hydration and pacing strategies. Night running through dark forests and the risk of surprise summer storms add further complexity, demanding both navigation skills and mental resilience.

Course format: Point-to-point

This race follows a classic point-to-point format, beginning at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort in Olympic Valley and ending 100.2 miles later on the track at Placer High School in Auburn. The route traverses high mountain ridges, wilderness singletrack, granite mining roads, and the exposed canyons of the American River. Aid stations are spaced along this linear course, offering support but no option for looped or out-and-back shortcuts. The point-to-point design underscores the historic journey of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Gold Rush-era trails.

Elevation profile: 

18,090 ft gain, 22,970 ft loss; high point 8,750 ft, low point ~1,250 ft
Runners climb a cumulative 18,090 ft and descend 22,970 ft on mountain trails. The course starts at 6,200 ft in Olympic Valley, rises to 8,750 ft at Emigrant Pass within the first 4.5 miles, then undulates through alpine ridges before descending into canyons. The lowest elevation occurs near the American River crossing around mile 78, at roughly 1,250 ft. Major climbs include the ascent to Robinson Flat, Devil’s Thumb, and the final upslope into Cool.

Terrain breakdown: 

Approximately 65% singletrack, 25% dirt roads, 10% rocky/exposed trail
Runners navigate a variety of surfaces, from narrow forest singletrack weaving through pine and fir to broad dirt mining roads and exposed granite sections. The high country offers rocky, uneven trails where footing is technical, while the canyon and river crossings involve sandy and gravelly creek beds. This mix demands versatile footwear and careful attention to trail conditions, as the percentages of each surface type can influence pacing and muscle fatigue.

Time limit & cutoffs: 

30 hours overall; no published intermediate cutoffs
Participants must complete the full 100.2 mile course within 30 hours to earn an official finish. Unlike some ultras, Western States does not publish specific intermediate time cutoffs by aid station, though runners must adhere to general pacing guidelines enforced by volunteers and medical checkpoints. Failure to finish within 30 hours results in a disqualification, but entrants who drop are often transported to the next aid station or the finish line for safety and recovery. Complete compliance with all race regulations and timing checkpoints is required for recognition as a finisher.

Aid stations

Western States features twenty staffed aid stations along its 100.2-mile course, including ten full medical checkpoints that provide both nutrition and on-site care. Early stations such as Robinson Flat (mile 30.3) and Devil’s Thumb (mile 37.5) are spaced roughly 5–10 miles apart, while canyon aid stations like Michigan Bluff (mile 55.7) and Foresthill (mile 62) occur at critical heat-exposure junctures. These crew-accessible stations allow runners to collect drop bags containing personal supplies, change gear, and refuel with ice vests, electrolyte drinks, and chilled sponges. Between major stops, smaller unmanned water tables ensure no segment exceeds 10 miles without hydration. Volunteers staff each location with food, fluids, and medical oversight, creating a lifeline that combines community support with rigorous safety standards.

Mandatory gear

All competitors must carry a prescribed set of safety items at all times to comply with race regulations, ensuring self-sufficiency through variable weather and terrain. Required equipment includes two headlamps with spare batteries for night running, a waterproof jacket with a hood for summer storms or alpine chill, and an emergency blanket for hypothermia prevention. Runners must also carry a whistle for signaling, a fully charged mobile phone programmed with race-emergency numbers, and a personal cup to reduce waste at aid stations. Nutrition and hydration essentials—such as at least one liter of water, energy reserves (gels, bars), and a basic first-aid kit—are non-negotiable. Compliance with gear checks is mandatory at pre-race inspections, and failure to present required items results in disqualification.

Crew & pacing

Crew support is strictly confined to designated aid stations, where pacers may join runners after Foresthill (mile 62) but are prohibited beforehand to preserve the wilderness ethos of the high country. From the start through Michigan Bluff, runners must rely solely on self-contained supplies and station-provided offerings, reinforcing self-reliance and navigation skills. After mile 62, a registered pacer can accompany the runner to the finish, offering pacing assistance, additional food and gear handling, and moral support. Vehicle access for crews is allowed only at predetermined parking areas adjacent to aid stations, with strict adherence to Forest Service and local traffic guidelines. All crew members must comply with race-issued parking permits and access instructions or face penalties for their runner.

Navigation

The course is comprehensively marked with reflective ribbons, blazes, and mileage signs, guiding runners through alpine meadows, forest singletrack, and canyon fire roads. While GPS devices and digital mapping tools are strongly recommended, they are not mandated; participants must follow physical markers and stay on the established trail at all times. Performance rules explicitly forbid off-trail shortcuts or reliance on unapproved navigation aids, and officials may disqualify runners who deviate from the marked route. Volunteers patrol critical junctions during low-visibility periods, and course marshals monitor compliance with trail-marking protocols. Runners are advised to carry backup batteries or power banks to ensure electronic devices remain operational through night sections.

Finish rates

Since its official inception in 1977, Western States finish rates have trended upward from approximately 48% in the late 1970s to over 80% in favorable weather years. A record 86.4% of starters completed the 2019 race, benefiting from unusually cool canyon temperatures and advances in training, nutrition, and gear. Historical data show finish rates fluctuate with weather and course conditions, averaging around 67% in challenging years like 2021 when heat and pandemic-related training disruptions contributed to a lower completion rate. The rising finish percentages also reflect stricter entry qualifications and the maturation of ultrarunning as a sport. Age-group analyses reveal finish rates remain robust—around 60% for starters aged 60–64—before declining in older cohorts.

Special features

Western States awards distinctive handcrafted belt buckles and perpetual trophies that have become ultrarunning icons. Runners finishing under 24 hours earn a silver cougar buckle, while those finishing between 24 and 30 hours receive a bronze version, both handmade by Comstock Heritage in Reno, Nevada. First-place male and female finishers who cross in under 24 hours also claim the Wendell Robie Cup, whose names are engraved in perpetuity. Milestone buckles—10-, 20-, and 25-finish sub-24-hour awards—hold legendary status among the community. The race’s status as the oldest 100-mile trail ultramarathon and its net-downhill profile with 18,090 ft of ascent followed by 22,970 ft of descent further distinguish Western States as a pinnacle of endurance running.

Previous winners

Jim Walmsley holds the current men’s record of 14 :09 :28, set in 2019, while Courtney Dauwalter set the women’s course record of 15 :29 :33 in 2023. Other notable champions include Scott Jurek with seven consecutive victories (1999–2005) and Ann Trason with fourteen wins (1989–2002). Tim Twietmeyer boasts a record 25 finishes all under 24 hours, exemplifying longevity and consistency. The elite depth is underscored by back-to-back champions, international victors like Kilian Jornet (2011), and breakthrough performances from rising stars such as Caleb Olson and Abby Hall in 2025. Historical champions are celebrated through extensive archives, ensuring the race’s legacy endures in the ultrarunning community.

Official contact info

For the most current race regulations, entry information, and volunteer opportunities, visit the official Western States Endurance Run website run100mile.com. Race inquiries may be directed to the Western States Endurance Run Foundation via email at info@ws100.org. Pre-race check-in details, course maps, and mandatory gear checklists are provided in the Athlete Guide, downloadable from the “Resources” section of the site. Social media updates and course alerts are available on the official Western States Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, ensuring participants and spectators receive real-time information leading up to and during race weekend.