The relationship has with running started as an accountability measure and evolved into a deep-rooted passion and six-year run streak. He鈥檚 been running every day since May 15, 2017. Now, Sidibe is leaning into the remarkable skills and strength he鈥檚 built, as well as his community of supporters, to take on a new challenge鈥擶estern States. Watch to experience this epic endurance race through his eyes.

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The Western States Endurance Run is billed as the world鈥檚 oldest 鈥渙fficial鈥� 100-mile trail race. And to put such an event on, year after year, takes a lot of people and a lot of attention to detail. One of the most popular spots on the epic run from Olympic Valley, California, to Auburn鈥檚 Placer High School stadium, is the Rucky Chucky checkpoint, at mile 78, where the trail crosses the American River just below .

After a season with low snow, water flow rates can be controlled through retention at an upstream dam. When the water levels can be lowered, runners cross the river on foot, with cables and volunteers to help. But for years like 2023, after epic snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, flow goes over the dam and cannot be controlled.

This year, like other big snowmelt-induced, high river flow years on the American, rafts were required to transport runners across. Chris Thornley, the younger brother of race director Craig Thornley, is in charge of all things that have to do with the river crossing.

鈥淪ince Craig took over 10 or so years ago, he put me in charge of river crossing safety,鈥� Chris says. On race weekend, Chris uses his own personal raft, and then they rent additional rafts and hire guides from a local commercial rafting company to float runners across the river.

Craig and Chris might know the course and the area better than anyone else. In 1978, when they were 14 and 8, the two boys set out on a solo camping trip along the American River. That year they woke to runners shuffling by on their way to the mile 85 aid station. 鈥淲e saw this guy come up running, he was super dirty, and he was asking if we knew how close the aid station was. We had no idea what he was talking about,鈥� Chris said. But the moment stuck with both brothers as a kind of magical thing.

鈥淐raig and I didn鈥檛 talk about that experience until much later,鈥� Chris said. 鈥淲e both remember it being an important moment鈥攚itnessing the headspace that someone was in after running more than 80 miles. We both felt the same way.鈥� Chris and Craig鈥檚 family went on to volunteer at aid stations for years. Both brothers experienced every inch of the course and have since understood what those first runners they saw as kids were going through.

Besides running, Chris has also been rafting and boating his whole life. He now has an expert level of water rescue experience. 鈥淸For Western States 100] we run four rafts at the peak times, starting at about 10 P.M. through about 4 A.M. And we’re just running four rafts in an egg beater fashion so we have a constant flow.鈥�

Chris ran Western States in 2006, and recalls that being a raft year as well. 鈥淚 had to wait 40 minutes or more for a raft, and I was at the back of the pack so it wasn鈥檛 really about racing, but I was thinking, I have to get in under 30,鈥� he says, referencing the 30-hour cutoff time for the race. When runners exit the water they have 22 miles left to the finish.

鈥淪o when I became responsible for the river crossing, I told Craig it鈥檚 really worth the extra money to have more rafts. This year the longest anyone had to wait to get in a raft was maybe one minute.鈥� The whole raft crossing only takes two minutes, so it鈥檚 very efficient these days.

What鈥檚 More Popular: Raft or Rope?

The first time a boat was used to cross the river was in 1980. 鈥淚t was an old aluminum fishing boat,鈥� Chris said. 鈥淭he captain of the boat in 1980 was Bob Suter. And since then we鈥檝e used boats about 12 times.鈥�

After his many years stationed at the river, Chris thinks there鈥檚 a pretty even split among runners who would rather cross the river on their own versus being in a raft, and it usually has a lot to do with the weather and the time that they鈥檙e crossing. During a hot year, the leaders might prefer to cool their core down and fully immerse in the river. But if you鈥檙e crossing in the dark, when things have cooled down significantly, being completely wet even for a few minutes might take a lot of energy and leave you chilled during the ensuing miles.

RELATED: This Packraft Weighs Less than a Pineapple and Is Perfect for Summer 国产吃瓜黑料s

Athletes also have to think about chafing鈥攊f they get completely wet, they often lose all of the benefits of their lube. In addition to being a raft and water safety guy, Chris Thornley and his wife Stacy are the founders of Squirrel’s Nut Butter, an anti-chafing and skin restoration salve company.

鈥淔or the leaders, in general, they don’t really care about being sopping wet or having wet shoes,鈥� Chris said. 鈥淚t’s more those later in the day and further back in the pack that are kind of happy to keep their feet dry.鈥� Regardless of whether it鈥檚 a raft year or an in-the-water year, Chris always has a stash of Nut Butter on both sides of the river.

Enjoying the Ride

During this year鈥檚 race on June 24-25, Chris noticed that many athletes seemed happy about the raft ride. 鈥淚t was a cooler weather year, and I had a bucket in the raft full of river water, so they could cool down with that. For a lot of runners, I think they felt like it was very cool that a boat took them across the river.鈥�

Chris usually films his raft action with a GoPro, which he did this year as well, but he was also featured in the first ever live-feed of the race on YouTube. Although in previous years he鈥檚 seen some athletes in dark places by the time they reach the river, this year seemed generally very positive, with runners in good spirits and happy to be there. Thornley forgot to wear his GPS watch to track how many trips he made, but says it seems like at least 100 crossings.

Chris says. 鈥淎 lot of times, especially with the leaders, they’re grinding so hard. But Courtney stood out. She was obviously in the zone but so able to show her appreciation. And not just for the cameras. It’s a genuine appreciation. And it is magic. Everybody can see it.鈥�

RELATED: Courtney Dauwalter Sets Back-to-Back Course Records at Hardrock and Western States

When Things Go Wrong

In 2016, Jim Walmsley notoriously 鈥渢ook a swim鈥� while crossing the river. When he arrived at the river it was impossible to keep feet on the rocks, so he opted to swim without the aid of the cable. And he ended up being swept a short distance downstream and exited on his own. At the time, there was some discussion as to whether Walmsley would be disqualified if he had been helped out of the water. (He would not have been.)

But that was a rare and never repeated instance, partly due to how fast Walmsley arrived at the river. Two years ago the race signed an agreement with the state that the water would be lowered early enough so that runners would all have the same experience. Previously, the water flow had been left high enough for recreational users to have a full day on the river, and then the water would be lowered in the evening, around the time that most runners arrived. But Walmsley ran so fast that when he arrived in 2016, the water was still raging.

鈥淲e signed a 40-year agreement that says lowering the base flow will happen way earlier [in the day] to allow those 14-hour folks that are crossing at four o’clock in the afternoon to have a much safer crossing,鈥� Chris said. And in years when the flow can鈥檛 be controlled, Chris is on raft duty.

The Future of the Crossing

While this was a record-breaking year for California snowpack, could an even bigger snow year change the river crossing entirely? What happens if the river flow is so heavy that Chris and the other rafters can鈥檛 possibly row across?

鈥溾�嬧�婭f we had needed to do the crossing in conditions like they were on our Memorial Day training weekend, that would be very difficult,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he flow was significantly higher鈥攆or sure double if not triple what it was for the race鈥攁nd that actually would have been very challenging.鈥�

In such a situation, Chris says they would have to come up with a new system for getting across the river. 鈥淲e most likely would have to go to some sort of tethered highline system, with a tether on the raft, because otherwise you鈥檇 be pushed downstream.鈥� Chris said that because the race is well into the season he鈥檚 not worried about that kind of thing happening. 鈥淭his was a record-breaking snow year, so it would take something even beyond that.鈥�

Climate change is prompting more and more intense versions of all different kinds of weather, so big snow seasons probably won鈥檛 be rare, but for now, the runners at Western States are lucky to have Chris Thornley making sure they make it to the other side.

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In a world where fitness tracking devices and high-tech training plans dominate the running scene, ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter has found success by keeping things simple.

Dauwalter鈥檚 love for running started at a young age, with the Presidential Fitness Test in elementary school. 鈥淚 started running in elementary school when we had to run the mile for gym class,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 remember loving it. I really liked how it felt to run, and I really liked how I could push myself as hard as I wanted.鈥�

RELATED: Courtney Dauwalter Smashed the Course Record at the Western States 100

In 1997, Dauwalter鈥檚 passion for running evolved when she joined the cross-country team at her Minnesota high school. 鈥淲hen I joined the cross-country team, a whole social element got added to running that made me fall in love with it even more,鈥� she said.

But as many runners know, it鈥檚 easy to lose sight of the joy of running amid pressure to achieve personal records and track every metric imaginable. Unlike many in the endurance space, Dauwalter does not use Strava, though she does still think it鈥檚 a great tool for others.

Following Dauwalter’s course record victory at Western States this year, as the she has found success by sticking to her roots and embracing a simple approach to training. She has not worked with a running coach since she her high school cross-country days. Her strategy includes a flexible training plan that allows for rest days, spontaneous runs, and a mindset that focuses on the joy of the movement.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important to stay in touch with why you love running,鈥� Dauwalter said.

Dauwalter鈥檚 evergreen approach is atypical. But should it be? Her process has paid off, with impressive performances in ultra-marathons. But Dauwalter鈥檚 success is not just measured in podiums and race times. For her, running is a way to connect with nature and others who share her love for the sport.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern fitness culture, perhaps we can learn something from Dauwalter鈥檚 approach. By embracing the childlike joy of running and simplifying our approach to training, we may find that the movement becomes more meaningful and enjoyable.

Keeping Things Loose (After Coffee)

Unlike many of her peers, Dauwalter shuns the rigidity of a training regimen and doesn鈥檛 obsess over the particulars.

鈥淓very morning after coffee, I鈥檒l decide what my run is for the day based on how my body and brain are feeling,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ometimes that鈥檚 a long run on some of my favorite trails, or summiting a local peak, or it might feel like a great day for hill repeats or intervals, and some days I won鈥檛 really know what I鈥檓 doing until I leave the house and let my feet choose the route.鈥�

Her daily runs typically last between two and four hours, and, while she may know when a race is coming up, she decides what her training will look like based on how she feels physically and mentally.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important to stay in touch with why you love running,鈥� Dauwalter said.

鈥淭here are so many ways to train, enjoy, and go after running goals. Having a training plan, using devices and analyzing data, or not doing any of those things, are all great options,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 think it depends on the person and how they find joy. But I also think there is no downside to occasionally leaving the watch at home and heading out the door for a run where you just listen to your body and not worry about metrics.鈥�

Her general approach involves listening to her body and not following a predetermined plan, allowing her to focus on the experience rather than the results. For instance, if she鈥檚 training for a race with a lot of climbing, she鈥檒l incorporate more mountain runs into her routine.

Over the years, Dauwalter has focused on being more adaptive to her body. She stays in tune with her emotions and doesn鈥檛 take things too seriously. She approaches her training with a sense of playfulness, which keeps her motivated and engaged.

Dauwalter鈥檚 cheerfully unconcerned approach to training is the exact opposite of what you might expect from a world-class athlete. Rather than obsessing over sleep metrics and biomarkers, she keeps her routine flexible and listens to her body. She doesn鈥檛 overthink her diet, instead opting to eat what looks good, sounds good, or is most convenient. Some of her favorites include nachos, pancakes, gummy bears, Snickers, and root beer.

鈥淚 almost always just go running without a structured plan. I am usually wearing a watch that can tell me data, but I am not looking at this during my run,鈥� said Dauwalter. 鈥淚 find the most joy when I leave my house and let my feet be the tour guides.鈥�

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Without a predetermined plan, she鈥檚 learned to tune into her body and react accordingly. Her approach permits her to pay close attention to what her body tells her and avoid disregarding symptoms or signs that she should change course.

The basics of enjoying the processes are essential for Dauwalter. She does better when she鈥檚 not holding too tightly to any piece of running. The flexibility of her training keeps things fresh and fun.

Take a Break from the Gadgets

鈥淪ometimes our gadgets can get in the way of our enjoyment of the run,鈥� said Dauwalter. 鈥淭he gadgets are cool, but so is the simplicity of running.鈥�

Her primary approach helps in races when things inevitably get challenging. She speaks about turning to her mental 鈥渇iling cabinet鈥� and 鈥渢elling herself jokes鈥� to overcome the obstacles of the mind and body she鈥檚 trained in.

Moreover, her decluttered training style extends to the simplicity of using breathing and mindfulness exercises to focus on the calm of the trails. Keeping it simple helps push through demanding times. Focusing on her breathing or looking at the trail where she鈥檚 headed can bring peace in trying moments.

Dauwalter鈥檚 intuitive running style may not be for everyone, but the approach can provide a refreshing change of pace. Dauwalter鈥檚 lower-intensity mindset offers a powerful reminder that running can be as simple as putting on our shoes and heading out the door.

鈥淚t really can be just you out in nature with the sound of your breathing and footsteps, rolling with the terrain at whatever pace feels good that day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 try to run like this as much as possible.鈥�

Ben Pryor (Choctaw) is a contributing writer for several national and regional publications, including Native News Online and Indian Country Today. He has graduate degrees in Political Science (American Politics) and Philosophy (Philosophy of Language). His writing interests include running, politics, and the environment.

The post How Western States 100 Champion Courtney Dauwalter Keeps Running Simple appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run has been a canvas for inspiration, competition, and perseverance for five decades. Runners from varied backgrounds come together each year to celebrate the simple yet powerful act of movement.

For , this year鈥檚 Western States will serve as a celebration of her ten-year journey of personal transformation. In 2013, the for brunch tripped alarms for Vinson.

鈥淥ne day, one of my friends wanted to go to brunch, and they were like, 鈥業t鈥檚 just down the street. We can walk there,鈥欌�� Vinson recalled. 鈥淚n my head, I was like, 鈥楾here鈥檚 no way I can walk to brunch. It鈥檚 too painful. It was a mile away.鈥� And that was where I said, 鈥榊ou know what? I really need to make some sort of change.鈥欌��

Ten years and thousands of miles later, Vinson is showing everyone that change is possible if you believe in yourself.

This year, Vinson, 36, a body-positive runner from Scottsdale, Arizona, will be racing with a and sponsorship. Rising Hearts is an Indigenous-led grassroots organization dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering intersectional collaborations to pursue racial, social, climate, and economic justice.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more honored and grateful for the opportunity to run this,鈥� said Vinson. 鈥淲hen I first learned about Western States at the beginning of my health journey, I immediately thought, 鈥楾his race sounds insane, one hundred miles on trails. People aren鈥檛 sleeping. It just sounds impossible.鈥� And it鈥檚 funny because now we are so close to standing at the start line. I鈥檓 so excited and want to savor every step.鈥�

From Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, Vinson will traverse the Western States Trail, passing through the traditional lands of the Nisenan, Washoe, and other neighboring Indigenous Peoples. This iconic race encompasses over 18,000 feet of climbing and nearly 23,000 feet of descent.

Building Kinship and Fostering Change

鈥淓verywhere you go, you will always be on someone鈥檚 ancient and ancestral homelands,鈥� said Celia Camargo, Director of Community and Purpose of GU Energy Labs. 鈥淲e did not learn the truth of Indigenous histories, presence, or worldviews in school. Through partnering with Rising Hearts and supporting Callie on her journey to the Western States Endurance run start line this Saturday, I鈥檓 learning these histories of the Washoe and Nisenan communities, and am changing and expanding my perspective of the world.鈥�

Awareness of Indigenous histories and worldviews underscores the importance of cultivating a respectful connection to the land.

 

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鈥淚f we see ourselves as relatives to the land and each other, we naturally have more care and compassion and act as if the land is a part of us,鈥� said Camargo. 鈥淏eing a good relative means acknowledging a respectful connection to the land you work, live, and play on. We鈥檙e so proud to support Rising Hearts and their Running on Native Lands initiative鈥攁 commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences while acknowledging that the land we鈥檙e privileged to enjoy is stolen.鈥�

The collaboration between Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs represents a commitment to building kinship, understanding, and inclusivity. Rising Hearts spoke about the partnership and the importance of continuously improving and learning from one another.

鈥淐allie is such a shining example of someone who exudes positivity,鈥� said Rising Hearts founder and executive director Jordan Marie Whetstone. 鈥淪he has an inspiring story to share about what motivated her to begin running, and a moment that changed her perspective and way of living to lead a healthier life.鈥�

Vinson鈥檚 journey showcases her unwavering positivity and highlights her transformation, motivating others to lead healthier lives, physically and mentally.

鈥淪he鈥檚 an advocate for self-love and body positivity, something we need to see and hear more of in the running industry and in general,鈥� said Whetstone. 鈥淪he鈥檚 the athlete advocate we look for, want to support, and learn from. This is a continuation of what kinship-building looks like,鈥� said Whetstone. 鈥淲e are always learning from each other and looking for ways to improve for next time. We are just grateful for the kindness, patience, and support from those we have collaborated with in 2022 and now, 2023.鈥�

Vinson鈥檚 experience at Western States is poised to create a ripple effect, inspiring runners and fostering positive change within the running community.

鈥淐allie鈥檚 a true inspiration and exudes joy,鈥� said Camargo, echoing Whetstone. 鈥淪he speaks of the journey to find her confidence and the importance of advocating body diversity and inclusivity within outdoor spaces. We must love and appreciate ourselves and celebrate what our bodies can do.鈥�

Most recently, Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs have joined forces to capture and share Vinson鈥檚 inspiring journey in the Know To Run series. This is being made through . They have documented Vinson鈥檚 training to compete in a 100-mile trail race, championing body positivity, representation, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. The film also embodies the essence of acquiring knowledge, implementing what we learn, and practicing respect as good stewards of ourselves, each other, and the land.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9Mz7PMRZI

Vinson鈥檚 Road to the Big Dance

鈥淭his is the first 100-mile race I have trained for with a proper plan and a coach,鈥� said Vinson. Coach and partner was a top-ten finisher in last year鈥檚 Western States.

鈥淲hile I鈥檓 training to just finish Western States with the back-of-pack runners, he鈥檚 training to compete with the leaders,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been exciting to share the journey with someone else, even if our training looks very different. In the past, I would just do whatever felt right. But having a structured plan and a coach for this training cycle has made me feel really positive about the entire process.鈥�

Vinson鈥檚 training focus for this cycle has been twofold: First, honing in on finding a sustainable pace for the uphills while, second, dedicating substantial time to running form for the downhill sections.

鈥淔or this training cycle, we really focused on finding that smooth and slow pace for the uphills, and then lots of practice was just running form for the downhills because if you don鈥檛 have a great form on the downhill, that鈥檚 going to tear your quads up, and it鈥檚 not going to be a good time,鈥� said Vinson.

Reflecting on last month鈥檚 training camp, Vinson fondly remembered the experience of running on the Western States course alongside a community of fellow runners, immersing themselves in the energy and camaraderie of the trail running community.

鈥淪he鈥檚 an advocate for self-love and body positivity, something we need to see and hear more of in the running industry and in general.鈥�

鈥淚t was so magical,鈥� Vinson recalled of the training camp. 鈥淛ust being out on the Western States course with all these other runners feeling the energy of the whole trail community, and just exploring the lands. I loved how it wasn鈥檛 just people in the race at the camp, but all types of runners who may have been training for a different race or planning to pace a friend for the race.鈥�

Vinson highlighted the significant efforts made by Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs to advance the sport while fostering awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures and history.

鈥淲hat Rising Hearts and GU are doing to progress the sport and educate runners on Indigenous cultures and history, I think it鈥檚 so important to build a more inclusive and diverse running industry,鈥� explained Vinson. 鈥淭he fact that I get to play a part in this movement, teaming up to continue to build a more inclusive and diverse community, and also putting my spin on it with body positivity, I think it will be so incredibly powerful for us three to come together and share this journey at Western States and continue to raise the voices and the communities.鈥�

In a broader context, this aligns with Vinson鈥檚 message with others, encouraging individuals to pursue their dreams and embrace endeavors that may initially seem unfamiliar.

鈥淵ou just have to believe you鈥檙e capable of whatever you want to get out of life. This isn鈥檛 a rehearsal for another life,鈥� said Vinson. 鈥淭his is it, so if you just believe in something that you really want to go after, if there鈥檚 something that鈥檚 in your heart that you want to try or you鈥檙e thinking, 鈥楾his isn鈥檛 me, but I want to do this,鈥� go after it. Believe in yourself because you have what it takes to get it done. Just like Western States, it might take everything you鈥檝e got, but you definitely have what it takes.鈥�

The post Callie Vinson Believes in Herself appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Where would ultra-distance trail running be without Gordy Ainsleigh? Probably not on the verge of celebrating 50 years of a 100-mile trail race from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California.

But thanks to Ainsleigh鈥攁nd, of course, thousands of others that followed in his footsteps鈥攖he 50th (a.k.a. the Western States 100) will get underway just before sunrise on June 24.

With a legacy tied to Ainsleigh鈥檚 legendary effort 49 years ago this summer, the 2023 Western States 100 will send 381 runners on a 100.2-mile journey from the base of the Palisades Tahoe ski slopes on its legendary 100-mile route to the Placer High School track down in Auburn. It鈥檚 not the oldest ultra-distance trail race of modern times, but it鈥檚 one of the most prestigious because it really put the ultra-trail discipline and the 100-mile race distance on the map.

If you haven鈥檛 heard the story, Ainsleigh had participated in the regionally popular horseback riding event a few times in the early 1970s, but in 1973 his horse went lame and he intended to buy another horse to compete in the next year鈥檚 event. But, he says, he 鈥渘ever got around to it,鈥� and so he decided to try to run the entire length of the course.

Already known for his running prowess at a time when recreational running had started to boom across the U.S, Ainsleigh, then 27, set out early on the morning of August 3, 1974, to try to run the route. While many of the other equestrian participants encouraged him, many thought he was crazy.

It got tough after the halfway point, but he kept on chugging along, and in doing so, went a long way in defining the sport of ultra-trail running that now spans the globe.

鈥淚 just wasn鈥檛 willing to quit because I wanted to be a part of that experience,鈥� Ainsleigh said. 鈥淚t was really clear I was going to hit bottom really soon. And I knew I couldn鈥檛 finish, but I came to the point where I said, 鈥榳ell, I can still take one more step.鈥� And so I decided to keep taking one more step until I could no longer take one more step.鈥�

When Ainsleigh jogged his way over the finish line in 23 hours and 42 minutes, he proved that it was, in fact, possible to cover 100 miles over dusty trails in less than a day.

The official race didn鈥檛 begin until 1977, when 16 runners started and only three finished鈥擜ndy Gonzales, Peter Mattei, and Ralph Paffenbarger. But Ainsleigh, who would go on to finish the race 22 times, has always been credited as being the first official finisher.

It was after those initial efforts that the concept of earning a silver belt buckle for finishing a 100-mile race in 24 hours (and a bronze buckle for a 30-hour finish) first originated.

Although Ainsleigh hasn鈥檛 run Western States in years, he鈥檚 still trail running at age 76 and will be around for this year鈥檚 event. He ran the Lake Sonoma Marathon last year and completed his most recent 100-miler in 2020 at the age of 72.

Ainsleigh last finished Western States in 2007 at the age of 60, but he鈥檚 been given a special bib 鈥�0鈥� in the ensuing years, even though he hasn鈥檛 run it.

鈥淕ordy is still around and kicking,鈥� Western States race director Craig Thornley said recently. 鈥淔ifty years is a long time in our sport, but it鈥檚 still pretty young if you consider he鈥檚 still around and still running.鈥�

Here鈥檚 a rundown of runners to watch and other details of the 2023 Western States 100. The beginning at about 4 A.M. PDT on June 24, one hour before the start of the race.

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Women to Watch

This year鈥檚 women鈥檚 field is one of the deepest in the history of the race. (See the .) Seven of the top 10 women finishers are returning from last year鈥檚 race, led by Canadian runner Marianne Hogan, 32, who was third at Western States last year (18:05) and then two months later was second at UTMB in Chamonix, France.

Also returning are Zimbabwe鈥檚 Emily Hawgood, 27, who was fifth in 18:16, Americans Leah Yingling, 32, (sixth, 18:32), Taylor Nowlin, 32, (seventh, 18:46), Camille Herron, 41, (eighth, 18:51), and Katie Asmuth, 37, (ninth, 19:30), as well as French runner Camille Bruyas, 31, (10th, 19:34). Herron, who set a new world record for running 435.33K (or 270.5 miles) in 48 hours back in March, is intending on doubling back to run the Leadville 100 on August 19, in Colorado.

In most years, that would be just about as deep as it gets, but accomplished Americans Katie Schide, Courtney Dauwalter, Keely Henninger, Riley Brady (Brady identifies as non-binary and competes in the ), and Kaci Lickteig are also in the field, as well as 100-mile debutante Heather Jackson, 39, formerly an elite pro-Ironman triathlete from Bend, Oregon, who has switched her focus to gravel biking and ultrarunning.

Schide, 31, who grew up in Maine but has lived in France for several years while working on a Ph.D., won both UTMB, Val d鈥橝ran 101K, last year as well as the Eco Trail de Paris 80K race in April. Dauwalter, 38, the 2018 Western States champion who lives at 10,000 feet in Leadville, Colorado, is back after winning Hardrock last year and now has set her sights on doing the unthinkable double of Western States and Hardrock just three weeks apart.

鈥淭rying to bring my best self to both this summer,鈥� . 鈥�100-mile races are fun because there are so many variables in play. Let鈥檚 see what happens! My main goal? Leave it all out there in each race, and finish both.鈥� (.)

Oregon鈥檚 Henninger, 31, and Brady, 28, are both Hoka Golden Ticket winners who have deep 100K and 100-mile race resumes, while Lickteig, 36, who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, is the 2016 Western States champion who returned last year after having surgery to repair a serious hamstring injury. Other top international runners include Canadian Jenny Quilty, 34, the winner of the , New Zealand鈥檚 Nancy Jiang, 32, the winner of 2023 Tarawera 100K, and Sweden鈥檚 Ida Nilsson, 42, the winner of 2023 Canyons UTMB 100K.

Men to Watch

Eight of last year鈥檚 top 10 men鈥檚 finishers are back in the field this year, with the only exception being last year鈥檚 winner , who is out with a sacral stress fracture. Last year鈥檚 Western States runner-up (15:47) and eighth-place finisher in 2021, Hayden Hawks, 32, moved his family to Boulder, Colorado, after winning the Tarawera 100K in February with the intent of getting more mountain training under his belt with some of the elite ultra-trail runners who live there, including Drew Holmen, 30, who was fifth at WS100 last year (16:09) and the winner of this year鈥檚 Lake Sonoma 50-miler; Jonathan Rea, 31, who was 16th at Western States last year (18:52); and Adam Merry, 32, who placed second at the Canyons 100K in April to earn a slot at Western States for the first time.

Other top returnees include: Ohio鈥檚 Arlen Glick, 30, who has won nine of his previous 13 100-milers and placed third at WS100 last year (15:56), has been training on the course since late May; Oregon鈥檚 Tyler Green, 39, who was fourth at Western States last year (15:57) after placing second in 2021; French runner Ludovic Pommeret, 47, who was sixth last year (16:20) and then went to Chamonix and won the UTMB TDS 145K; Colorado鈥檚 Alex Nichols, 38, who has three top-10 WS100 finishes under belt, including eighth last year (16:28); Idaho鈥檚 Cody Lind, 28, who was ninth last year (16:29) and is shooting for his third straight top-10 finish; and Massachusetts鈥� Scott Traer, 42, a Beast Coast runner who won the Javelina 100 last fall after placing 10th (16:35) at WS100 last year.

Colorado-bred Dakota Jones, 32, third at Hardrock last year and the winner of the Javelina 100, is one of the more interesting stories after riding a steel-framed gravel bike 600 miles from his home near Salt Lake City to Olympic Valley last week, in the name of doing work to fight climate change with the organization he founded.

Canadian runner Matheiu Blanchard, 35, is a first-time Western States runner this year after a solid runner-up finish at UTMB last August and a third-place showing at the Marathon des Sables in Morocco in April. British runner Tom Evans, 31, returns after finishing third at WS100 in 2019 and second at Arizona鈥檚 Black Canyons 100K in February, while Colorado鈥檚 Jeffrey Colt, 32, continues to ascend the ranks after placing 11th at WS100 last year, finishing 14th in the 80K race at the 2022 World Championships and winning this year鈥檚 Bandera 100K in January.

Among the other intriguing runners who shouldn鈥檛 be overlooked include 2:18 marathoner Cole Watson, 31, who lives 20 minutes from the WS100 finish line Auburn, who was 14th (17:56) at WS100 last year and won the Canyons 100K in April; Utah鈥檚 Anthony Costales, 34, won won the Black Canyon 100K in February; China鈥檚 Jia-Ju Zhao, 29, who won Thailand by UTMB 100K last December and has won 21 other ultra races since 2018; and New Zealand鈥檚 Daniel Jones, 31, a 2:16 marathoner who placed second at the Tarawera 100K and won the Lake Sonoma 100K this year.

Running Through Snow and Fire Damage

Some of the massive snowfall that hit the Sierra Nevada mountain range over the winter and spring is still hanging around. It鈥檚 melting fast, but it should be one of the snowier Western States 100 races in the history of the race as runners will encounter significant snow on the course for much of the first 35 miles of the course. The first couple of miles out of Palisades Tahoe resort will be dry, but then runners will likely be on snow most of the way to at the 16-mile point of the race.

They鈥檒l then run on dry terrain through Duncan Canyon, but then they鈥檒l encounter a few more miles of snow beginning at Robinson Flat near the 30-mile mark. After that, the route will be dry for most of the rest of the way, except for, of course, the Rucky Chucky American River crossing near mile 78. It will be mandatory that runners cross the river in boats this year, Thornley has said. Trekking poles are prohibited in the Western States 100 and the only traction allowed are shoes with built-in spikes. Strap-on crampon devices and shoes with screws drilled into the outsole are not allowed.

Runners will also encounter a lot of burned-out damage from last September鈥檚 Mosquito Fire, which burned 16 miles of the Western States Trail between the Swinging Bridge, about one mile east of Devil鈥檚 Thumb aid station, to about two miles west of the Cal-1 Aid Station. Crews of race officials, volunteers, the U.S. Forest Service, and other land agencies have worked hard to clear the trail of debris.

Western States Weekend

While some runners, race crew, volunteers, and race officials have been hanging around Palisades Tahoe since this past weekend鈥檚 Broken Arrow Skyrace trail running festival, Western States weekend officially kicks off at 10 A.M. on June 22 with a six-mile round trip hike from the starting line to High Camp and back. That afternoon, the race will host several seminars about crewing, ultrarunning research, representation and diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a book-signing event with author John Trent, who recently wrote . At 6 P.M., Hoka will present a “Legends of Western States” panel with several runners and race officials with long connections to the race. On Friday, Hoka鈥檚 Uphill Challenge at 10 A.M. will provide an opportunity to run the first three miles of the course.

Fingers crossed, but the weather forecast for this year鈥檚 race looks OK for now. Cool temperatures in the mid-30s are predicted for Saturday morning鈥檚 5 A.M. start at Palisades Tahoe resort and are expected to reach the low-40s on the first part of the climb toward the Lyon Ridge aid station at the 10.3-mile mark. But temperatures could rise into the upper 50s by the time runners reach the Red Star Ridge aid station (mile 15.8) and into the low-60s when runners start to hit the Robinson Flat aid station (mile 30.3) by mid-morning.

However, there is a 50 percent chance of mid-morning rain showers. But after that the weather is expected to clear up and get sunny, possibly rising to the mid-70s by Michigan Bluff (mile 55.7) and peaking in the low 80s by the time the first runners pass through Foresthill (mile 62) on Saturday afternoon before cooling on final miles to the finish line on the Placer High School track in Auburn. There鈥檚 also a 60 percent chance of rain expected in Auburn in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday.

The post The 2023 Western States 100 Endurance Run Preview appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In our new monthly column in partnership with Strava, we take a deep dive into compelling data points that reveal the more human side of sport.聽

While no runner who finishes the (WSER) is 鈥渁verage,鈥� we can learn something about effective training from finishers. Data scientists at Strava compiled data from Western States finishers, from 2018-2022, to help us investigate the numbers behind successful finish times.

Here鈥檚 how successful runners train for the Western States 100.

The Peak Week

The median peak week for a WSER finisher was 81 miles and 16 hours, with an accumulated elevation of 13.5K feet of vertical gain (we use medians rather than averages to eliminate outlier data). The median longest run was 50 miles, and 43 percent of athletes did at least a 100K run in the lead-up to States. Sixty-five percent of runners did at least one race in the build-up to fine-tune their race day strategies and log more time on feet.

That鈥檚 some significant volume! But not everyone started with huge training weeks. The median base going into the six-month lead-up to WSER was a modest 37 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing, and a median 12-mile long run. How鈥檇 they build volume and experience going into the race?

RELATED: Western States 100 for Amateurs

According to Strava data, about a quarter (22 percent) of athletes do their peak week four weeks out from race day (and many participate in the Memorial Weekend Western States Training Runs, which strings together a 50K, 19-, and 20-mile days). Eleven percent of finishers log their biggest week five weeks before race day, and 19 percent peak three weeks out. While there鈥檚 not a huge difference between peaking three and four weeks out, those weeks are overrepresented among finishers versus peaking five weeks out.

As we saw earlier, most athletes peak with around an 80-mile week, during which the median long run is 32 miles (many people log a self-supported or race stimulus 50K), and almost a third (32 percent) do a 50-mile race during their peak week.

The Long Run

The long run is an essential part of 100-mile training, where athletes are able to build endurance, test gear and fueling strategies, and dial in their effort level for race day. All finishers logged at least a 20-mile long run in training, and, on average, finishers logged 10 runs of 20 miles or more in the build-up to the Western States 100. Fifty-seven percent logged a long run of 50 miles or longer.

Ninety-seven percent of runners logged at least a 50K in the build-up, and across all finishers, runners logged on average three 50Ks in the six months before the race, suggesting a sort of peak-long-run sweet spot for many finishers. Comparing data from Western States training with other 100-milers in the U.S., we don鈥檛 see a statistically significant variation in peak week timing, or long run length.

What About . . . Not Running?

We can鈥檛 point to a causal relationship between finishing times and cross-training because of confounding factors, but those who logged their cross-training on Strava averaged 26 percent more training time across their cycle than their non-cross-training peers. WSER runners seem to prefer biking, with 57 percent of finishers logging at least one bike ride in their build-up, versus the 15 percent who backcountry skied (though that time on snow might come in handy this year!). In addition, 55 percent of finishers logged a hike, 33 percent logged a walk, and almost half logged at least one strength workout on Strava.

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While most WSER finishers cross-trained, the relationship between cross-training and finishing times can鈥檛 be linked in the data, and this is just to demonstrate that cross-training is an effective way of boosting overall training volume for many athletes.

Get High鈥ometimes

According to the data, athletes who live above 5,000 feet tend to have faster finishing times, though this could be due to selection bias, where many elite athletes choose to live in running meccas like Tahoe, Boulder, and Flagstaff, all of which are above 5,000 feet. Runners who mostly train at or above 5,000 feet had a median finishing time of 25:39:37 (this represents less than 20 percent of finishers). Of athletes who trained at altitude, 43 percent went even higher, logging runs at altitudes more than 20 percent higher than their typical training altitude.

The remaining 83 percent of finishers did most of their training below 5,000 feet and had a median finishing time of 26:28:07, suggesting that living at altitude grants an edge, albeit a small one of less than an hour. Also, 56 percent of these runners did at least two runs above 5,000 feet, picking up some crucial simulation for the first 50K of States in the alpine.

100 Miles, One Day. The 24-Hour Effect.

Anyone who finishes Western States in 24 hours or less receives one of the sport鈥檚 most coveted accouterments: a silver, cougar-adorned belt buckle. So much so that the data shows a cluster of finishes just under the 24-hour mark, as many athletes hustle to achieve the goal of running 100 miles in one day. In 2018, 15 percent of WSER runners finished in the 23rd hour, while 13 percent finished in hour 23 in 2022. Compare that to the 2 percent who finish just after the 24-hour mark in 2018, and 2.6 percent in 2022, and you see a significant clustering of finishes right before the 24-hour mark.

While Western States 100 demands a certain level of accomplishment to compete (runners must qualify via lottery, and run at least 100K or a qualifying 100-mile event to enter or race their way in via Golden Ticket), we鈥檇 expect to see naturally faster finishing times, even on the demanding course, with 15,540 feet of climbing and 22,970 feet of descent.

Western States. It’s a tough race. One of the toughest. And yet, as we sift through all this data of finishers, we find patterns. From peak weeks to altitude, long runs and training races, a pattern emerges of what effective training looks like.

We find strategically positioned races three to four weeks out. We find that many of the faster finishers spent time in the high country. In a race full of outlier athletes, the data still tells a fascinating story.

Zo毛 Rom is Editor In Chief of Trail Runner聽and Managing Editor of Women鈥檚 Running. When she鈥檚 not running, she鈥檚 writing, and when she鈥檚 not climbing she鈥檚 cooking or eating. Southern story-teller turned mountain-dweller, she starts every day with a cup of strong coffee and a good story. Her work has appeared in REI Co-op Journal, Discover, Rock & Ice, Trail Runner, Backpacker, and Threshold Podcast. She currently hosts and produces the DNF Podcast. She is co-author of the forthcoming book, .

The post What Strava Data Can Tell Us About How to Run a Fast 100-Miler appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Rod Farvard鈥檚 mustache might be my favorite in all of running. It鈥檚 neither thick nor groomed, neither oiled nor manicured. It鈥檚 messy. It鈥檚 patchy. It curls at the ends. I think I caught him snacking on his own facial hair the day his whole body began snacking on itself at the highest point in Thailand, as he attempted to run the 100-miler in December, 2022.

I didn鈥檛 know it at the time but his kidneys were failing and his father had nearly died from cardiac arrest on the plane a few days prior. I鈥檇 probably gnaw on my mustache, too.

Rod Farvard, 27, from Mammoth Lakes, California, is an up-and-coming elite ultrarunner and former triathlete. In 2022, he was selected as one of 17 athletes for the North Face鈥檚 (ADP), the latest emerging model of innovative athlete support and sponsorship, ways that companies and organizations are beginning to think differently about how to support athletes and changemakers within the endurance community.

The North Face announced ADP in March 2022 as a way to 鈥渢o equip aspiring athletes with the tools and financial means to achieve their athletic goals and inspire other adventurers within their communities.鈥� The program was established to face systemic barriers in the recruitment process that often keep underrepresented communities across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and differently-abled athletes from excelling in their discipline.

The North Face would select a small cohort of athletes and offer them a two-year contract with funding, gear, education, and one-on-one mentorship to accelerate their progress and reach the next level of their sport. After a short application period, they received 2,500 applicants, and athletes were chosen in February 2023, . In addition to Farvard, ADP trail runners include Helen Mino Faukner, Rudy Lindquist, Sophia Gorman, Terence Copeland, Laura Cortez.

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To Pro or Not to Pro

To understand why Farvard was selected in this pool of talented athletes, it鈥檚 helpful to know more about his background. Farvard ran cross country in high school. In 2012, during senior year, he dropped out of a California state race after hitting a wall at mile two.

鈥淔or whatever reason it ate at me for so long,鈥� he said.

Farvard eventually turned to marathons, then to triathlons, where he competed at U.C. Santa Barbara for two years. 鈥淓ver since then, I鈥檝e been trying to find that wall again. I want to get to that cracking point so much. I want to prove to myself that I am better than that internally,鈥� he said.

After college, Farvard lived in San Francisco and worked in tech. He ran his first ultra when he was 19, and went on to podium several races in California over the next few years, including a win in 2019, at the Kodiak 100. In 2021, he set the supported FKT for the John Muir Trail, north-to-south (3 days, 16 hours, 2 minutes), an impressive effort that positioned him for future success in ultras. In 2022, he picked up a Golden Ticket at Canyons 100K, had a rough day at Western States, but fortunately made up for it with a 23rd place finish at UTMB, one of the top American finishers. He鈥檒l be returning to States this year.

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As someone who had been a competitive athlete while also holding a full-time job, he鈥檚 flirted for years with trying to run full-time. 鈥淎ll it means is that you鈥檙e giving yourself a shot,鈥� he said. This sentiment lies at the heart of why he applied for the ADP program in the first place. He wanted to give himself a shot to commit fully to ultrarunning. Farvard found himself in a position where he was less interested in acquiring any random sponsor, and more inspired to collaborate with a brand he could get behind. That鈥檚 when he thought of the North Face.

 

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鈥淭he type of people here, like the level of boundaries that the athletes want to push, was just always incredibly inspiring to me,鈥� he said.

All 17 ADP athletes come from different backgrounds, sports, and vocations. In fact, most athletes applied to the program for different reasons. 鈥�The North Face comes at it from an angle of: how do we represent more people in our sport that still have incredible potential to be really good athletes, but that they may be getting overlooked right now?鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you want to foster talent in the sport and not just have a one-hit wonder with athletes, I think these mentorship programs are incredibly important.鈥�

One-on-One Mentorship

Every ADP athlete gets paired with a to collaborate on projects and receive mentorship through their two-year contract. The cohort meets bi-weekly, with new guest speakers on each call. Recently, a session has been focused on developing the athletes鈥� deepest intentions for pursuing the sport and goals鈥攃ultivating their why.

鈥淚t鈥檚 easy when you鈥檙e racing all the time to just think about who you want to be as an athlete and what races you want to podium at and where you want to get to the sport,鈥� said Farvard. 鈥淏ut, why? Why do you want to get to that level? The North Face is stopping us here and having us craft our story, to try and figure out our why, what drives us to want to do all these goals.鈥�

Farvard was paired with North Face Global Athlete Zach Miller, 2023 winner of the Tarawera 100 Mile race, fifth place and first American at the 2022 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, and, most recently, his epic finish at the , to name a few of his many accolades. 鈥淲e both have really big goals and both like love getting after it. So we鈥檝e had fun creating different ideas,鈥� said Farvard.

鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed getting to mentor Rod,鈥� said Miller. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a great guy who has already done some impressive things in the trail running space. He鈥檚 motivated, thoughtful, and dialed in his pursuits. He shows a lot of maturity and a desire to learn and grow as an athlete. I鈥檓 enjoying seeing Rod progress and hope that in some way I can take the knowledge and experience that I鈥檝e acquired in this sport and pass it on to him.鈥�

Every ADP athlete gets a guaranteed $5,000 to spend on a project of their choosing, but they鈥檒l work with their mentor to devise a project proposal and pitch to The North Face, with the intention of telling stories through expeditionary projects of each athletes鈥� reason for doing what they do. In the process, Farvard has already had great opportunities to network, skillshare, and commit to manifesting his dreams.

鈥淚鈥檝e been more encouraged to take ownership of what I鈥檓 most passionate about and pursue it to a full level,鈥� said Farvard. 鈥淎nd being surrounded by all these different athletes who are doing that is really encouraging.鈥�

The Collective Is Key

Esther Kendall is the North Face鈥檚 Global Sports Marketing Manager, and she is overwhelmed with how generative the program has been. 鈥淚t has been a huge team effort,鈥� said Kendall. 鈥淭he athletes are so positive, so eager to learn, and so open to having conversations, and have come together as a team so quickly.鈥� A central goal of the Athlete Development Program, according to Kendall, was rethinking the North Face鈥檚 approach to working with athletes.

鈥淚f you talk to any athlete on our team, they didn鈥檛 get to where they are alone,鈥� said Kendall. 鈥淭he primary goal is to equip aspiring athletes with tools and resources to achieve their athletic goals, to take responsibility as a brand, looking for the best athletes in the world and help people get there who might not have a clear path to connections or opportunities.鈥�

Her selection committee really looked for athletes who were on the cusp of the next big thing. 鈥淩od鈥檚 a great example of someone who has had successes but still has so much more to offer our sport, not only in terms of performance but as someone interested in building and growing the trail community,鈥� said Kendall. 鈥淗e is resilient and is able to find joy and positivity, even when things are not going to plan.鈥�

Another ADP athlete Laura Cortez, 29, from Denver, Colorado. Cortez鈥檚 personal mission, as part of the program, is to 鈥渇oster welcoming environments for the communities to define what the outdoors is for themselves.鈥� , Cortez鈥檚 experience with the ADP program, like Farvard鈥檚, has been overwhelmingly positive. 鈥淎 large part of this process is getting the chance to look behind the curtain at what being a professional athlete with a big brand looks like, and learning the business side of it,鈥� she said.

In 2020, Cortez started Trailtinos, a running group for Latinx and Hispanic runners in the Denver area. The group hosts group runs and meet-ups to increase visibility for the Latinx community and provide a sense of community and source of support in a predominately white sport.

If you want to foster talent in the sport and not just have a one-hit wonder with athletes, I think these mentorship programs are incredibly important.

Cortez is paired with Flagstaff, Arizona, runner Rob Krar, and they chat weekly. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been in the sport for a hot minute, so it鈥檚 really special to listen to him talk about how much the sport has changed and how the opportunities on the professional side have grown, too.鈥�

Cortez鈥檚 goals with the ADP were twofold. First, she really wanted to dive into what it would feel like to be a professional athlete. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something I鈥檝e always wanted to give myself the chance to do, by having enough financial and athlete support (coach, nutrition help, strength/conditioning, mentorship, connections),鈥� said Cortez. 鈥淭he support the North Face is providing us with has helped me make major strides there.鈥� Second, she wanted to grow as an advocate for cultural healing through sport. 鈥淭his more action-taking approach has helped me think of new ways to show up for my community and really assess the underlying barriers and layers of nuance that can interfere not only our participation in sport, but being outside in general.鈥�

But perhaps the most compelling case to be made for the power of something like the ADP is the community. With the ADP, athletes are representing disciplines of climbing, skiing, snowboarding, trail running, and alpinism, and the diversity of creative skill-sharing is powerful.

As someone who grew up playing team sports, Cortez found being part of this cohort of talent energizing. 鈥淥nce you become an adult and continue doing sports at a higher level, the overall participation changes. Schedules and priorities shift, engagement wears off, and it can be difficult to find a group of like-minded folks who want to push themselves as much as you do,鈥� she said.

Next Up? Western States

On June 24, Farvard will toe the line at Western States, his third time running the historic race. In some ways, Western States is one of his greatest challenges. 鈥淲hat keeps bringing me back is that I have not figured it out. It鈥檚 just such a hard race to understand,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like this massive puzzle; there鈥檚 just so many more pieces to get it right.鈥�

After recovering from States, he鈥檒l build for TDS at UTMB, a 90-mile course with over 30,000 feet of vertical gain. And though he couldn鈥檛 share every detail about the The North Face project he鈥檚 developing, with the assistance of Zach Miller, it will be attempted at the end of September, and it will involve an attempt to link up all the eastern Sierra 14ers by human-power. One can only hope that his mustache will come along for the ride.

The post Ultrarunner Rod Farvard Is Going for Broke appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Two days before Halloween, Dakota Jones and Devon Yanko dressed up as world-class ultrarunners at the Javelina Jundred and turned in some spooky fast efforts for the race鈥檚 20th annual trail running party in Arizona鈥檚 Sonoran Desert.聽

The 31-year-old Jones showed off the revitalized form he displayed enroute to finishing third at the Hardrock 100 in July by running near Fountain Hills, Arizona. It was the first 100-mile win of his career and arguably his most prominent victory since he won the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2018.

Meanwhile, Yanko, 40, notched another top-tier result in her ultra career by winning the women鈥檚 division in 14:36 and placing sixth overall. In running the second-fastest women鈥檚 time ever鈥攖railing Camille Heron鈥檚 14:03 record from 2021鈥擸anko finished with a 40-minute gap over Nicole Bitter, who appeared to be the second-place woman throughout the race, up until the moment she finished in 15:16.

But about a half hour before Bitter finished, 27-year-old Riley Brady, who was one of two participants in the field of 399-runner field who had registered in the non-binary division but competing in the women鈥檚 awards category, ran an exceptional race and placed seventh overall in 14:45.

鈥淲hen I crossed the finish line, I was happy but in a little bit of disbelief!鈥� says Brady. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to be going to Western States. I always come away from races feeling like I鈥檓 walking on clouds because I love the trail community.鈥�

I always come away from races feeling like I鈥檓 walking on clouds because I love the trail community.

鈥淩iley is one of the most stunningly gifted and strong athletes I have ever met,鈥� says their Coach, David Roche. 鈥淭hey have a special spark that is ready to ignite the podiums of the biggest races all around the world.鈥�

It appeared that they won the non-binary division, as was amplified by the race鈥檚 social media and in the final results. But that鈥檚 where things got complicated.

 

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The Javelina Jundred was the second of seven in which, according to the stated rules, the top two male and female finishers automatically qualify for entry into the 2023 Western States 100 event. Dakota Jones and the men鈥檚 runner-up, Jonathan Rea (13:05), are the pending Golden Ticket winners for the men, while Yanko and Brady, and not Bitter, are the pending winners for the women鈥檚 division, . However, Bitter, the apparent second place women鈥檚 finisher, wasn鈥檛 awarded the second Golden Ticket, based on a technicality in how athletes are allowed to register.

Presently, Golden Tickets aren鈥檛 allocated to the non-binary runner division, but non-binary athletes in Golden Ticket races are allowed to choose a gender of award category (male or female) while registering on Ultrasignup.com, because the race had only two traditional award divisions.聽

Unfortunately, race staff, social media teams, and real-time results were communicating Brady as the leader of the non-binary division, and Bitter as the second female, during and immediately after she finished, said Jamil Coury, co-owner or Aravaipa Running. Brady has signed up as a non-binary runner and competed in the women鈥檚 award category to go after the Golden Ticket as they had communicated with the race organization prior to the race.

Most runners and those following the race weren鈥檛 aware of the stipulation that required non-binary runners to choose between one of two traditional genders for awards, so it created confusion, especially for Bitter, who wasn鈥檛 told she was third until after she finished. The results were updated on Monday to reflect Brady as the second female finisher and Bitter as third place to reflect the correct positioning for awards. Coury admitted the error was on his team, and he hopes this can be a learning moment and positive discussion point going forward.聽

鈥淲e basically screwed up. I鈥檒l own it,鈥� Coury said. 鈥淲e miscategorized them in the online race results, and our team was amplifying that on social media based on some internal miscommunication. We didn鈥檛 play through every scenario, and there are probably scenarios that are still unforeseen.鈥澛�

Brady, who never changed their registration status, correctly earned the Golden Ticket, said Western States race director Craig Thornley, who was working with the race directors at Aravaipa Running to try to fix the challenge in real time on Saturday.聽

鈥淭he change definitely left people to speculate that Riley chose to change from non-binary to women after they realized they were in second place, but that鈥檚 not at all what happened,鈥� Thornley said. 鈥淩iley did what they were supposed to do, but they were miscategorized on both social media and the immediate results. They were racing for a Golden Ticket the whole time, we just didn鈥檛 think it through. In a quest to be inclusive, it was probably a little premature.鈥�

Although Bitter finished over a half-hour behind Brady, she was being informed by race channels and live results that she was in second place for women the entire day, which would have guaranteed a Golden Ticket. Therefore, she had no reason to adjust her race strategy.聽

鈥淟et鈥檚 use this situation as a way to bring it right to the front of the table,鈥� Coury said. 鈥淭here are people who want to feel included, who want to be themselves, and they should be welcomed as they are. As race directors, we should make our rules clear so there is fairness in competition, that all athletes understand it鈥檚 very clear before the gun goes off, so they can track their place accurately. That鈥檚 where we messed up.鈥澛�

The running industry as a whole is trying to figure out how best to manage all of the scenarios in welcoming non-binary runners. The Boston, Chicago, and New York City marathons have added non-binary divisions in the past year, but each has different stipulations about how, or if, non-binary runners can earn prize money.

It seems logical that each individual should claim one gender identity when entering a race, but if a race offers only two gender categories for awards, does that mean non-binary runners can鈥檛 compete for awards? Ultimately, races will have to answer two questions: Should there be a non-binary division with equal prize money and award distribution? Or should runners be recognized by whatever gender identification they chose, while also being slotted into a competitive category based on their gender assigned at birth?聽

There are people who want to feel included, who want to be themselves, and they should be welcomed as they are.

Thornley said the Western States Golden Ticket rules will be reviewed and updated before next season. In the case of Western States, allocating Golden Tickets for non-binary runners would mean committing an 14 additional Golden Ticket entries into the 369-runner Western States field.

The intent of the process is to be fully inclusive, Thornley said, but he admits there have been unforeseen stumbling blocks. 鈥淚t shouldn鈥檛 be, 鈥楬ey which gender would you like to be considered for awards?鈥欌�� Thornley said. 鈥淚t has to be predetermined, so we have some updating to do.鈥�

Bitter was happy with her race but disappointed about the confusion, according to Zach Bitter, her husband and coach. He said races and the racing industry needs to develop a consistent framework in which all possible outcomes are known ahead of time.

鈥�(It鈥檚 a) situation that had such a high likelihood for a mistake at some level,鈥� he said 鈥淚 feel bad for Jamil and Aravaipa, as there are already so many moving parts, and they were getting lots of pressure to get on board with new categories, and probably could hardly keep up themselves with everything that goes into an event that big.鈥澛�

Notable Finishes

As for the rest of the results, Kaci Lickteig continued her comeback from a devastating聽 hamstring injury last year by finishing fourth among women in 15:40. She was followed closely by Heather Jackson (5th, 15:42), a professional Ironman triathlete and former elite track cyclist who was making her 100-mile debut, and Kathryn Drew (6th, 15:43).

 

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Last year鈥檚 men鈥檚 winner Arlen Glick capped off a strong 12-month stretch that included six 100-mile podium finishes by placing third at this year鈥檚 Javelina with the sixth-fastest time (13:25) in race history. Amazingly, it鈥檚 Glick鈥檚 15th top-three podium finish in 15 career 100-milers since 2018. Brett Hornig (4th, 13:45) and Nick Coury (5th, 13:52) rounded out the men鈥檚 top five in what was the fastest race in Javelina history.

Willow Dolde, who was the first official non-binary competitor at Javelina last year, based on registration categories, returned this year and finished 131st while improving by 22 minutes with a 23:22 finish time. After the change to Brady鈥檚 registration status, Dolde is the only non-binary runner listed in the results.

In the Javelina 100K race, Scott Traer won the men鈥檚 race in a record-shattering 7:31, while Lotti Brinks finished second overall and won the women鈥檚 race in a similar fashion with an 8:36 effort. Ruairi Moynihan won the Jackass 31K night race for the second consecutive year in聽2:12, while Abby Jahn was the women鈥檚 winner in 2:29. There were no non-binary runners entered in the 100K or 31K races.

Golden Ticket Updates

The first Golden Ticket race for the 2023 Western States 100 was the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc on August 26, in Chamonix, France. American Katie Schide won and accepted the ticket, but runner-up Marianne Hogan of Canada already had an entry based on her third-place finish among women this year. American Kaytlyn Gerbin, the third-place finisher at UTMB, declined, meaning the second Golden Ticket will go to Jocelyne Pauly of France. On the men鈥檚 side, UTMB winner Kilian Jornet turned down his Golden Ticket, meaning the entries will likely go to runner-up Mathieu Blanchard of France and Tom Evans of the UK.

As for the top finishers at Javelina, Rea and Yanko have previously run Western States, but Jones and Brady have not. Each of those four athletes will have about two weeks to accept or decline the Golden Ticket for next year鈥檚 race. In the case that either first- or second-place finisher declines the entry or already has an entry to Western States, the automatic bid rolls down to third place, and then fourth place or fifth place, as necessary, before being rescinded. No places below fifth will be offered a Golden Ticket.

Here is a list of the remaining Golden Ticket races:聽

• December 9, 2022: (罢丑补颈濒补苍诲)听
• January 7, 2023: (罢别虫补蝉)听
• February 11, 2023: (New Zealand)
• February 18, 2023: (Arizona)
• April 28, 2023: (California)

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