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2025 WS 100 Media Release

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 52nd 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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GU ENERGY EXTENDS WESTERN STATES SPONSORSHIP TO 2029

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.  

Western States, Broken Arrow Skyrace, and TrailCon Unite for an Unparalleled 10-Day Trail Running Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympic Valley, CA – March 12, 2025 – This June, trail running enthusiasts will experience an unprecedented 10-day adventure in the stunning Palisades Tahoe as three iconic events—Broken Arrow Skyrace presented by Salomon, TrailCon presented by On, and the legendary Western States Endurance Run presented by HOKA—join forces to create an immersive and inspiring celebration of the sport.

Kicking off June 19-22, the Broken Arrow Skyrace presented by Salomon, will challenge runners with a three-day, nine-distance event, where elite and recreational athletes alike will experience the thrill of “where the mountains meet the sky.”

Following this, the inaugural TrailCon presented by On (June 24-25) will bring together thought leaders, industry brands, and passionate runners for two days of engaging discussions, networking, and community building. The event features keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions, a Vendor Village with 60+ innovative brands, and the debut of the TrailCon Hall of Fame Awards—all designed to inspire and elevate the trail running community.

The excitement culminates June 28-29 with the world-renowned Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run presented by HOKA, the planet’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race. A true test of endurance, Western States has captivated runners and fans since 1974, solidifying its place as the pinnacle of ultra-distance racing.

This historic collaboration underscores a shared vision to strengthen and unify the trail running community, transforming Olympic Valley into the ultimate global destination for trail running every June.

“Western States is honored to partner with TrailCon in creating a 10-day experience filled with running, storytelling, and knowledge-sharing that will inspire and unite our sport like never before,” said Craig Thornley, Western States Race Director“Most importantly, we believe this collaboration will build an even stronger sense of belonging in the trail running community.”

Topher Gaylord, Western States Board President, echoed this sentiment: “With three independent, community-driven organizations working together, Olympic Valley will become the epicenter of the trail running world. TrailCon’s innovative approach perfectly bridges the excitement between Broken Arrow and Western States, creating an unmatched 10-day experience.”

Brendan Madigan, Founder & Race Director of Broken Arrow Skyrace, added: “Our vision has always been to complement the iconic Western States 100, ensuring that everyone—from runners to families, pacers, and crew—can experience the beauty of Palisades Tahoe. With the addition of TrailCon, there’s no better place to be in late June than North Lake Tahoe.”

With this powerful collaboration, Palisades Tahoe is set to become the Spring Trail Running and Ultra Capital of the World, offering an unforgettable experience for runners, fans, and industry leaders alike.

For more information, visit:

Broken Arrow Sky Race
TrailCon
Western States Endurance Run

Media Inquiries:

Rachel Christison
Rachel.christison@gmail.com

2025 Lottery Statistics

Last updated: December 5, 2024 at 10:21 am

The 2025 race lottery will be held on December 7, 2024 in front of a live audience at the Placer High School auditorium in Auburn, CA beginning at 8:00 a.m. PST. We expect to be done by 11:00 a.m. As names are randomly selected, they will be posted at https://lottery.wser.org in real-time. There will also be live video coverage of the lottery on our Youtube Channel beginning at 7:00 a.m. PST.

Each applicant ran a qualifying race of 100k or longer within the last year to be eligible to enter. Some have done so for many years. Each runner who enters the lottery and fails to gain entry into the Run (and otherwise doesn’t gain an entry via other means such as an aid station, sponsor, or HOKA Golden Ticket spot) will have additional tickets in the hat when entering the lottery the following year, thus improving the probability of being selected. Every lottery applicant will receive 2^(n-1) tickets in the hat where n is the number of years entering the lottery without gaining entry. That is, 1st year applicants = 1 ticket, 2nd year = 2 tickets, 3rd year = 4 tickets, 4th year = 8 tickets, and so on. The maximum number of years for the 2025 lottery is 10 years or 512 tickets.

You can view the final 2025 applicants and their ticket counts.

We will be starting 369 runners in 2025. As we began in 2017, we are using a wait list model instead of overbooking like we had for decades to get the target number of starters which is the number we are legally allowed to run through the Granite Chief Wilderness. 109 of those 369 are automatic entrants resulting in 260 lottery spots. 257 of those will be selected in the lottery proper. The final three entrants to get to 369 will be selected from those in the audience. The probabilities of being selected as one of the 260 in the lottery are as follows:

We will also select an additional 75 names for the ordered wait list. What are the chances of getting into the race if you are selected for the wait list? In 2024 the 35th person on the wait list got into the race Friday before the race. In 2023 we went down to the 56th person on the list. In 2022 we exhausted the wait list of 75. In 2021 we exhausted the wait list of 50 which was rolled over from 2020. In 2019 the last person to get a spot on the starting line was selected 31st. In 2018 the 36th person on the list got in, in 2017 the 39th person got in. All the historical data from the wait lists can be found here.

Good luck to all.

TOPHER GAYLORD NAMED PRESIDENT OF WESTERN STATES ENDURANCE RUN

Topher Gaylord, a longtime member of the Western States Endurance Run Board of Directors and a leading voice in the sport of ultrarunning, has been elected President of the WSER Board of Directors.

Gaylord succeeds Diana Fitzpatrick, whose term as President ended at the end of September following five years.

“As the first 100-mile trail race in the world, Western States Endurance Run strives to be a leader in the sport, honoring our traditions and evolving proactively with the sport.  We are an organization fueled by the community for the community with tremendous people who make the run special for every participant who has the opportunity to run Western States.  It is a privilege to serve in this leadership role for our organization,” said Gaylord.

Gaylord, whose experience as a competitor, organizer and thought leader in the sport dates back more than 25 years, has been a member of the WSER Board since 2016. During that time, Gaylord has served as a vice president for WSER and played instrumental roles in a number of WSER’s most notable successes. This has included WSER’s ongoing presenting sponsorship agreement with HOKA and historic growth overall in terms of partnership agreements, the production of a first-ever and continuing Live Broadcast of the event, and trail stewardship initiatives that have worked to open more of the Western States Trail to the public.

“I am extremely excited for the start of a new era for our race with Topher as our President,” said Fitzpatrick, who remains on the WSER Board as Vice President. “I don’t know if there is a more respected person in our sport than Topher. His keen perspective, which now dates back an entire generation of ultrarunners, his ability of bringing groups together for the common good, and his strategic sense of where the sport is headed next is what we need right now.”

Added Race Director Craig Thornley, now entering his 13th year as race director: “It’s been a distinct pleasure, both professionally and personally, to work with Diana over the past five years in furthering our Run’s mission. I cannot thank her enough for her dedication to all things Western States. I’ve known and worked with Topher for a very long time. He’s an incredibly gifted person in how he mixes his experiences as a leader in the outdoor space and in particular in ultrarunning, with an uncanny ability to always find the best in people and in organizations. He has big shoes to fill. I have every confidence he will.”

Gaylord’s career in global athletic and sports leadership includes executive-level positions with companies such as VF Corporation in North America, Europe, and Asia, Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Under Armour and The North Face. He ran his first Western States in 1998 and is a seven-time finisher of the Run. In 2003, he was the first American male finisher at the first-ever Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc.

The organization’s officers for the upcoming 2025 race cycle include Gaylord as President, Fitzpatrick as Vice President, Lamont King as Treasurer and Kara Teklinski as Secretary.