The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run

Since 1974, when Gordy Ainsleigh first proved that a human could cover the 100 mile Tevis Cup horse trail on foot in under 24 hours, the Western States Endurance Run has stood as the most storied ultramarathon on the planet. Starting at the base of the ski slopes in Olympic Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the course climbs immediately to Emigrant Pass at 2,667 meters before plunging into a vast wilderness of granite peaks, alpine lakes, and ancient forests.

What makes this race singular is the sheer variety of its terrain. In the space of 100 miles, runners cross snowfields at high elevation, descend into the blistering heat of the canyons where temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, ford the icy waters of the Middle Fork of the American River, and grind along the dusty, reddish brown trails that once guided Gold Rush prospectors to Auburn. The cumulative toll of more than 18,000 feet of climbing and nearly 23,000 feet of descent is relentless, demanding a rare blend of endurance, heat tolerance, and mental toughness.

Entry is by lottery, and the coveted sub 24 hour silver buckle remains one of ultrarunning's most revered prizes. For those who make it to the Placer High School track in Auburn before the 30 hour cutoff, the reward is membership in a community that spans half a century of trail running history. The Western States 100 is not just a race; it is the foundation on which modern ultrarunning was built.