Western States Endurance Run

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: John Trent, WSER Media Relations, press@wser.org

WITH TWO OF THE DEEPEST AND MOST COMPETITIVE FIELDS EVER, 2025 WSER IS ‘WIDE OPEN’

AUBURN, Calif. – Two of the deepest and most competitive fields ever assembled at the Western States Endurance Run will vie for victory during the 52^nd annual event on Saturday, June 28. Western States starts at 5 a.m. at Palisades Tahoe Resort, at Olympic Valley, California. The world’s oldest trail 100 miler finishes on the Placer High School track in Auburn, California.

The women’s race features three of the top of four finishers from 2024’s race, which was the fastest in race history – Fuzhao Xiang of China (who ran the third-fastest time in race history behind 2024 champion Katie Schide in 16 hours and 20 minutes); Eszter Csillag, a native of Hungary living in Hong Kong (third in 16:42, the fourth-fastest time in race history); and Emily Hawgood of Beatrice, Zimbabwe, who spends much of the year living and training in the Auburn, California area (fourth in 16:48, the seventh-fastest time in race history).

The men’s race returns Rod Farvard of Mammoth Lakes, California, whose scintillating duel for more than 80 miles with 2024 champion Jim Walmsley culminated with a second-place finish in the third-fastest time in race history in 14:24, as well as fourth-place finisher Daniel Jones of Wellington, New Zealand, who ran the seventh-fastest time in race history in 14:32, and fifth-place finisher Caleb Olsen of Draper, Utah, who recorded the eighth-fastest time in race history in 14:40. Also entered are 2011 WSER champion Kilian Jornet, a native of Spain living in Norway who is generally considered to be the greatest male trail runner of all-time. Jornet will be making his first WSER appearance since his third-place finish in the legendary “Unbreakable WSER of 2010 and his victory in 2011. 2023 men’s champion Adam Peterman of Missoula, Montana, is also entered.

“When you factor in the HOKA Golden Ticket entrants (elite runners who have earned “Golden Tickets” and entry into Western States during a series of six highly competitive races in the United States and Europe), as well as the runners we have coming back in both our women’s and men’s races, this is easily one of the deepest and most competitive fields we’ve ever had,” Race Director Craig Thornley said. “Both races have so many great talents entered it’s very difficult to pick a favorite. They’re both wide open in the sense that anything can happen, and probably will, on race day. We’re excited to see how this year’s run will play out.”

In addition to the elite competitors, this year’s 369-runner field includes runners from throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. WSER’s entrants will vie for a sterling silver belt buckle for a sub-24-hour finish or a bronze belt buckle for a finish under the run’s 30-hour absolute cutoff. An added wrinkle in this year’s race is the presence of five competitors who are in the 70 to 79 age group and one who is 80 years old – the most over-70 runners ever to compete at Western States. The group includes Jan Vleck, 72, of Olympia, Washington; Michel Poletti, 70, of Chamonix, France; Ed Willson, 71, of Eugene, Oregon; Jim Howard, 70, of Applegate, California; Michael Koppy, 74, of Duluth, Minnesota. 80-year-old Nick Bassett, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, who is the race’s oldest finisher ever from his 2018 finish at age 73, is also entered. The oldest female entrant in this year’s run is Diane Grim, 65, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Also attempting to make history is Adam Popp, 46, of Lafayette, Colorado. Popp, who lost his right leg as he was working to disarm a roadside bomb while serving in the military in Afghanistan in 2007, will attempt to become the first above-knee amputee to finish the race.

Western States traverses the high country of the historic Western States Trail through the Granite Chief Wilderness, then plunges into the deep canyons of the American River drainage. The runners pass through the sites of old mining settlements such as Last Chance, Deadwood and Michigan Bluff, making technical and challenging ascents and descents of more than 2,000 feet, before crossing the Middle Fork of the American River at mile 78 at the Rucky Chucky River Crossing aid station. From there, they make a final push to the finish line at Placer High.

The 2025 WSER will be streamed live on YouTube. Commentators Dylan Bowman and Corrine Malcolm will kick off the live broadcast at 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. The broadcast will continue through the entirety of the event and will conclude at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 29. Watch it at https://www.youtube.com/WSER100.

ABOUT WESTERN STATES: First held in 1974, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run has a 369-runner field from throughout the United States and more than 30 countries. Western States is considered one of the world’s preeminent 100-mile trail races. Its mission is to stage a transformational and quality world-class event for its runners, as well as perform trail stewardship and conduct medical research studies for the betterment of the sport. Held on the last full weekend in June starting in Olympic Valley, California, the 100.2-mile event travels through the Sierra high country and the canyons of the American River on the ancestral lands of the Washoe and Nisenan tribes, before finishing at Placer High School in Auburn, California.

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BERKELEY, CA – June 23, 2025 — GU Energy Labs, a leader in performance sports nutrition, is proud to announce the extension of its sponsorship of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (WSER) through 2029. This renewed commitment deepens GU’s longstanding partnership with the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race and reinforces both organizations’ shared dedication to endurance athletes, community building, and increasing representation in ultra running.

As official performance nutrition sponsor, GU provides full on-course nutrition support for the Western States Memorial Day Weekend Training Camp and race, as well as athlete education and training initiatives in the lead-up to race day. In alignment with its core values, the brand’s investment in increasing diverse representation is just as central to the partnership.

“GU Energy Labs has always set an incredible standard in enhancing and expanding the limits of human performance, and equally importantly, in building the human relationships that lead to a stronger sense of community and of belonging, said WSER President Topher Gaylord. “These are core organizational values that we have always felt are in perfect alignment with WSER’s vision and values. WSER and GU Energy Labs will continue to be focused on bringing the community of ultra runners closer together through this shared vision of the future. We are absolutely thrilled about this continuation of our longtime partnership with GU Energy Labs.”

Since 2022, GU has worked closely with the WSER board to provide race entries for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) runners – eight total to-date, including four in kinship with the Indigenous-led organization Rising Hearts. With the renewed sponsorship agreement, GU extends its financial and logistical support for these entries, ensuring trail running becomes more reflective of the broader running community.

“Western States is more than just a race—it’s a powerful platform for change,” said Amy Cameron, VP of Marketing at GU Energy Labs. “We’re proud to support athletes from all backgrounds taking their place on the start line. By extending our sponsorship through 2029, we’re making a long-term commitment fueling every runner’s journey to the finish line and to building a trail community that welcomes everyone.”

The 2025 Western States 100 kicks off on June 28 in Olympic Valley, California, where over 300 athletes from around the world will attempt to complete the historic 100-mile route from Palisades Tahoe to Auburn.

About GU Energy Labs  

GU Energy Labs strives to help athletes reach their highest potential with products that deliver the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. Since its founding in 1993, GU has been committed to increasing access to sport for all. To that end, GU Gives – the company’s philanthropic arm – supports organizations and initiatives centered around 3 pillars: physical movement, environmental stewardship, and food awareness. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, GU Energy Labs produces all of its Energy Gels onsite, largely through sustainable solar power. Learn more at www.guenergy.com.