Kilian Jornet and Jim Walmsley headline the 2026 Western States 100

If you follow the trail-running world closely, you will be keeping a close eye on the 53rd Western States 100, which promises to be a thriller thanks to an exceptionally deep field. One of the oldest and most prestigious ultras on the planet, the race takes place every year in California’s Sierra Nevada on the last weekend of June, this year Saturday 27 and Sunday 28. The race starts at 5:00 a.m. local time in California this Saturday, or 2:00 p.m. in France.

The Western States 100 is the founding race of the ultra-running world. That is why so many runners want to take part every year, but very few earn the chance: fewer than 400 of the 11,300 applicants are selected, 370 exactly. The race’s reputation comes from its distinctive identity and unusual course. Last year, 285 of the 369 starters completed the brutal challenge.

A legendary race

Starting at the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and finishing 102 miles (164.153 km) later in Auburn, the iconic Western States 100 course crosses the traditional lands of the Nisenan and Washoe peoples. It then takes runners on an extraordinary journey through the canyons and rivers of the Sierra Nevada, along a demanding route with more than 5,486 m of elevation gain, 40% less than the UTMB course in Chamonix, and 6,708 m of elevation loss. Runners must also contend with extreme heat and blazing sunshine, which are frequent companions at this time of year.

Although the event has welcomed the best runners on the planet, including Catalan Kilian Jornet and American Jim Walmsley, both of whom are racing this year, it has retained its grassroots feel and old-school charm. The world’s top trail runners come to test themselves against the Californian giant, made possible by the commitment of volunteers who work throughout the year to make the event a success. The Western States 100 has just one employee, race director Craig Thornley. An army of 1,600 volunteers comes together to help deliver the race.

How did it begin?

Legend has it that in 1974, American Gordy Ainsleigh became the first man to run the 100 miles of the Western States 100, which at the time was completed on horseback. Finishing in 23 hours and 42 minutes, he proved that it was possible to run 100 miles in under 24 hours. This is widely regarded as the birth of ultra-endurance racing.

Thomas Cardin: “The Western really is a legendary race”

The trail-running world will be watching the Western States 100 this weekend after the race rolled out the red carpet. Four trail heavyweights, Thomas Cardin, Vincent Bouillard, Kilian Jornet and Jim Walmsley are set to line up for this major event, eagerly awaited by outdoor sports fans. Cardin, the 2024 European trail champion, is preparing to put his job as a primary school teacher on hold and become a full-time professional athlete. The decision reflects his ambition to move into longer races. His victory at the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB, covering 119 km in 9:58:38 on March 21, further strengthened that sporting project.

“The move to becoming a pro is happening at the same time as the move to longer distances, he told MY TRAILS in Marseille last April. That win at Chianti did me a lot of good because it was the first stone laid on the road to ultra-trail and to becoming a professional. From day one of that journey, things went really well. I ran a good race and everything fell into place. The foundations are solid, and now I believe in myself. It brings the project of moving into ultra-distance racing to life. The Western really is a legendary race. In Europe, we all picture these Americans with beards, their hair blowing in the wind, shirtless, wearing tiny shorts and carrying a bottle in their hand as they run through the heat or the desert. That is part of the imagery surrounding this race. It is a baby trail runner’s dream. The race attracts me because of its speed. It is a 160 km ultra, but it is won at an average of more than 12 km/h. It is very fast, and I like running fast for a long time. That is what I am looking for in this Western project. ”

Vincent Bouillard returns to the fray

Another Frenchman racing this Saturday is Vincent Bouillard, who announced his undeniable talent to the world on the Savoyard trails on August 30, 2024. Since then, he has quietly made a name for himself among the planet’s elite specialists. We are convinced that his breakthrough victory will not be a one-off and that he has everything he needs to perform in California. Finding him on the top step of the podium on Sunday morning would be no fantasy, a year after he unfortunately dropped out at the 125 km mark. A member of Team Trail Elite HOKA, the brand he has worked with since 2016 and where he is currently a product engineer, Bouillard finished third at Chianti. Three other French runners are on the start list: Thomas Gourgas, Antoine Aubour and David Michel.

Kilian Jornet, 15 years on? Jim Walmsley chasing a fifth win?

With last year’s top two absent, six of the previous top 10 will return. The lord of the Sierra Nevada, Jim Walmsley, winner in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024 and course-record holder since 2019 with a time of 14:09:28, will be on the start line, as will Spanish superstar Kilian Jornet, third last year in 14:19:22. He will be chasing an improbable victory 15 years after his 2011 triumph. Also inside last year’s top 10, Jeff Mogavero (4th), Daniel Jones (5th), Ryan Montgomery (7th), Hans Troyer (8th) and Hiroki Kai (10th) will be looking to climb the standings. We will also be watching American Adam Peterman, the 2022 winner, and Italian Francesco Puppi, who dominated the 2025 CCC over 101 km.

Abby Hall puts her crown on the line

Eight of last year’s top 10 women are returning, including 2025 winner Abby Hall (16:37:16), who was closely followed by China’s Fu-Zhao Xiang (16:47:09), runner-up twice in 2024 and 2025, and Canada’s Marianne Hogan (16:50:58). This year’s international field also includes Poland’s Martyna Mlynarczyk and Norway’s Yngvild Kaspersen, winners of the CCC in 2025 and 2023 respectively, along with Americans Jennifer Lichter, the new Black Canyon 100K course-record holder, and Molly Seidel, who won marathon bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The Western States 100 record currently belongs to Courtney Dauwalter, who ran 15:29:33 in 2023.

Live coverage on YouTube

The Western States 100 will be broadcast live on the race’s YouTube channel.

Tracking: Follow the runners of your choice to see their live position and finish time by clicking here.