Thank you for your interest in covering the 52nd annual Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run to be held on June 28-29, 2025.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you read this form in its entirety.
Please read the terms and conditions and then submit the form at the bottom of the page to request media credentials for the 2025 race. If you are part of a coverage team, EACH MEMBER individually must also complete the form. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM HAVE FILLED OUT THIS FORM INDIVIDUALLY, OR THEY WILL NOT BE CREDENTIALED.
Deadline to submit your application for media credentials is Friday June 6, 2025. NO CREDENTIAL REQUESTS AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
If you have submitted the form by June 6 or earlier, you will receive an email notification informing you if your request has been approved no later than Friday, June 13.
All credentials will be available for pickup during a MANDATORY media briefing on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 3:45 p.m. in Palisades Tahoe immediately following the pre-run runner briefing at the Start Line Arch.
NOTE: Due to safety concerns, drone use other than by WSER organization is prohibited. Individuals or organizations in need of drone footage should contact WSER prior to the event. Arrangements will be made to share portions of WSER drone footage following completion of this year’s event.
NOTE: Any type of special filming, video or film, permits do not need to be obtained from the USFS this year. WSER is managing them ourselves.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Qualifications
The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is pleased to provide media credentials for WSER Organization, Media, WSER Sponsors, and Brands.
WSER Organization: Individuals who are part of the WSER organization, including official race photographers, official race videographers, official social media, official livestream team members, and official start line/finish line personnel.
Media: Individuals who are in the business of content and image gathering as their primary source of revenue; individual journalists, photographers, videographers or Internet reporters who are on a specific assignment from a known, established media organization; individuals or groups who are involved in the creation of a film, no matter what medium, that would be classified as a documentary, feature film, festival film; individuals who are gathering content for YouTube channel, Internet websites or Podcasts.
WSER Sponsors: Individuals who are part of a coverage team representing an official WSER sponsor.
Brands: Individuals who are part of a coverage team representing a running or ultra brand that is not an official WSER sponsor.
*Media credentials are not intended for those who sell stock photographs, footage or images.
*All applicants must complete the WSER Media Accreditation which includes a section to detail coverage plans.
2. Application Deadline
Applications for all credential categories, along with requested supplementary documentation, must be submitted by June 6, 2025.
3. Approval process
Individuals who have submitted a credential request form will receive notification of credential approval via email by June 13, if not earlier. Credentials must be picked up in person with at least one form of identification in Olympic Valley at the MANDATORY WSER media briefing on Friday, June 27, at 3:45 p.m. on the lawn near the Start Line arch.
4. Credential usage
WSER media credentials are non-transferable. They may not be given or loaned to another person. Credentials must be carried by the person named on the credential at all times during the Event. WSER reserves the right to revoke credentials at any time. WSER reserves the right to disqualify a runner whose coverage team has not followed the Run’s rules and regulations.
5. Credential Access
Credentials grant access to the following locations:
- Starting line in Olympic Valley;
- Only those aid stations on the WSER course that are open to runners’ crews. Areas/aid stations that are open to media access, therefore, are: Olympic Valley start; Duncan Canyon; Robinson Flat; Dusty Corners, Michigan Bluff, Foresthill, Rucky Chucky (near), Green Gate, Pointed Rocks, No Hands Bridge, Robie Point;
- Finish line in Auburn, Calif.
*Due to space limitations and safety concerns at the start line in Olympic Valley and finish line at Placer High School, credential holders must check in with start/finish line managers at both locations and follow directions regarding camera placement locations. WSER Organization members will have priority in terms of placement at both locations. Failure to comply with directions provided by start/finish line managers in Olympic Valley and Placer High School will result in immediate expulsion from the area and loss of future credential privileges.
*Due to safety and event flow concerns at the Robinson Flat aid station, it is important that all credentialed adhere to the special rules associated with this aid station. Media should only film athletes as they arrive and leave the aid station. No media access other WSER Organization (WSER livestream and WSER social media) is allowed inside the aid station. Individuals or organizations who interfere with operations inside the aid station, or set up equipment such as pop-ups inside the aid station will have their credentials revoked.
*Aid stations that are not open to runners’ crews are allowed media access only with prior written consent from race organizers.
6. General Coverage, Policies
All credential holders must observe the following rules:
- Observe any added instructions included with the credential when issued. It is the credentialed media’s responsibility to be familiar with all issued instructions.
- Keep a respectful distance from any scene of a medical emergency. In the case of a severe injury, or any case requiring rescue or evacuation, efforts will be undertaken by Event personnel using standard protocols. Do not release images or descriptions of these situations or the names of those affected without the specific permission of the Run Director or his/her/they designated on-scene situation manager.
- Respect and adhere to any directions or restrictions from WSER aid station captains and aid station personnel. These directions and restrictions may well exceed or modify the restrictions that were listed on credential instructions or enumerated in previous briefings or conversations. Such instructions are not subject to negotiation, appeal or arbitration.
- Understand that your actions reflect upon the runner you are covering. If you are part of a coverage team whose assignment is to document a specific runner, your failure to follow race instructions and rules could lead to the runner’s disqualification. This includes documenting the race at aid stations where no media access is allowed.
Accredited media who fail to adhere to the above guidelines will have their credential confiscated and will run the risk of losing privileges to cover WSER events in the future.
Photographers:
As a condition of accreditation, images and footage may not be sold to third parties. All photographs taken at the event are solely for use by the organization for which an individual is credentialed, unless he/she is otherwise given written consent by WSER.
The use of such photographs for any commercial or merchandising purposes, such as books, posters, cards, or in any medium or manner whatsoever without prior written consent of WSER is prohibited.
Waiver
In consideration of the grant to me of the above requested Media Credential, I herby, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, and anyone else entitled to act on my behalf, WAIVE AND RELEASE the Western States Endurance Run, its board of directors, foundation and all sponsors and their respective agents and representatives, from any and all present future claims and liabilities of any kind, known or unknown, for any personal injury or property damage that I may incur in connection with the 2025 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run or any related events/activities, even though any such claim or liability may arise out of negligence or fault on the part of any of the foregoing persons or entities.
Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that media credential access is allowed only at the locations listed above.
Further, I will communicate directly about my coverage needs with the aid station captain or
their designee at each aid station where coverage is allowed. I will follow the aid station’s rules
as stated by the aid station captain or their designee. I will ensure that my actions/the actions
of my team will not in any way impede the flow of the race or interfere with other
individuals/teams who are also gathering content. I understand that failure to adhere to these
specifications could lead to the confiscation of my credential and expulsion from the event.
