With Memorial Day weekend within the U.S. behind us, the calendar flips to June. And with that, the eyes of the ultrarunning world — and people of this columnist! — are directed to the 2025 Western States 100.
Happening on June 28, this yr’s occasion, like yearly, is full of intriguing tales. I’d like to spotlight 4 of probably the most compelling tales on this yr’s race and in addition current the 12 runners — let’s name them AJW’s Soiled Dozen — who I feel are more likely to be on the entrance of the pack come sunset on the end line at Placer Excessive College in Auburn, California, on race day.
1. The Over 70s
This yr, for the primary time in race historical past, there are six runners aged 70 and over toeing the road in Olympic Valley. Nick Bassett (80) from Nevada, Michael Koppy (74) from Minnesota, Jan Vleck (72) from Washington, Ed Willson (70) from Oregon, Jim Howard (70) from California, and Michel Poletti (70) from France. And, whereas the historic odds are stacked towards them, having interviewed every of those males previous to the race, I can guarantee you that they’re coming ready to buck these odds.
Craig Thornley (left), race director of the Western States 100, talks with Michel and Catherine Poletti, co-founders of UTMB. This yr, Michel Poletti will race the Western States 100 at age 70. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
2. Jamil Coury’s Western States 100 Comeback
One of many hardest working folks in ultrarunning, Aravaipa Working’s founder and proprietor Jamil Coury is as soon as once more on the beginning line of Western States, 15 years after he first ran it in 2010. A multi-time Hardrock 100 finisher and Barkley Marathons Enjoyable Run finisher, Coury has a knack for the exhausting stuff. However, after lastly moving into the race with 128 tickets within the lottery, Coury goes after one other end at Western States. And, in true Jamil model, he’s doing so on the energy of a short 25-day coaching block!
3. Heather Jackson’s Unorthodox Construct-Up
Again on the 2022 Javelina 100 Mile, Ironman triathlete Heather Jackson stormed her means into the path working and ultrarunning scene with an off-the-front efficiency. And, whereas she finally drifted to fourth place that day, Jackson served discover that she was right here to remain. A real multi-sport athlete, simply final weekend Jackson received the Unbound Gravel XL race, a grueling 350-mile bike race by way of Kansas. Whereas her preparation is definitely unorthodox, one can not assist however root for this extraordinary athlete to as soon as once more crack the highest 10 at Western States, following her seventh-place debut on the race final yr.
Heather Jackson and Ida Nilsson crossing the American River collectively, with the ladies’s masters’ document in play for whomever would end quicker. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
4.The Function of the Media
Once I first ran Western States in 2001, the extent of the media protection was one reporter every from the “Sacramento Bee” and the “Auburn Journal.” By the point I ran my final Western States in 2014, iRunFar was on the scene offering complete protection and a handful of on-line journalistic outfits have been available as effectively. Lately, due largely to the recognition of the game and the more and more professionalization of the athletes, media protection of the race has exploded to the extent that the race group now must restrict the variety of media passes it may present to be able to keep away from overcrowding at numerous factors alongside the course.
AJW’s 2025 Western States 100 Race Predictions
There are not any clear favorites in each the ladies’s and males’s fields this yr. Jim Walmsley, the boys’s course document holder and 4 time winner, has withdrawn from the race and Katie Schide, final yr’s winner, has chosen to not return. In consequence, it’s anybody’s guess as to who will finally problem for the highest spots. However listed below are my picks for the highest six ladies and men:
Males
Kilian Jornet
Rod Farvard
Adam Peterman
Daniel Jones
Caleb Olson
Jia-Sheng Shen
Rod Farvard ending the climb to Michigan Bluff in second on the 2024 Western States 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Girls
Tara Dower
Emily Hawgood
Eszter Csillag
Fu-Zhao Xiang
Abby Corridor
Marianne Hogan
Bottoms up!
Emily Hawgood runs previous mile 61 earlier than Foresthill through the 2022 Western States 100. Emily would end fifth lady that yr. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from New Glory Craft Brewing in Sacramento, California. Gummy Worms is a candy tasting hazy IPA brewed with Citra and Amarillo hops to create a candy-like beer that’s surprisingly complicated. Weighing in at 5.8% ABV, Gummy Worms is an ideal summer season beer for nearly any event.
Name for Feedback
What are your predictions for this yr’s Western States 100?
What different intriguing storylines are you watching this yr?
