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The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race, traversing the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California.
Course Highlights
The course begins at Olympic Valley, climbing 2,550 feet in the first 4.5 miles to Emigrant Pass. From there, runners traverse the high country of the Granite Chief Wilderness, following the historic Western States Trail. The route plunges into the deep, sweltering canyons of the American River drainage, passing through legendary mining settlements like Michigan Bluff and Foresthill. At mile 78, runners must ford the Middle Fork of the American River at Rucky Chucky, often using a cable for safety. The final miles lead to the iconic finish on the Placer High School track in Auburn, totaling over 18,000 feet of ascent.
Why Runners Love It
Western States is the “holy grail” of ultrarunning, born from a 100-mile horse race. Its prestige is cemented by a highly selective lottery and the elusive “Golden Ticket” entries. Runners compete for the coveted silver belt buckle (sub-24 hours) or bronze buckle (sub-30 hours). The race is famous for its extreme temperatures, community spirit with over 1,500 volunteers, and the “Golden Hour”—the final sixty minutes before the 30-hour cutoff where the atmosphere at the finish line becomes electric and deeply emotional as the final finishers arrive.
Race Details
- Location: Olympic Valley, United States
- Distances: 100-Mile (100.2 miles)
- Next Race Date: 2026-06-27
- Start Time: 05:00
Race Weekend Tips
Arrive early in Olympic Valley to acclimate to the altitude and attend the mandatory Friday registration at Olympic Plaza. Accommodation in Olympic Valley or Tahoe City is ideal for the start, while Auburn is better for the finish. Prepare for extreme temperature swings, from freezing mountain mornings to triple-digit canyon heat. Crews should study access points carefully, as many aid stations are remote. Don’t miss the post-race awards ceremony on Sunday to witness the incredible camaraderie of the ultra community.
History & Charity
Founded in 1974, Western States evolved from the Tevis Cup equestrian ride after Gordy Ansleigh proved the course could be completed on foot. It has since become a global icon, fostering medical research on human endurance and leading trail stewardship through the WSER Foundation. The race maintains a strict limit of 369 starters to protect the Granite Chief Wilderness. The organization also partners with non-profits like STRIDE to increase diversity in trail running by providing needs-based financial support to athletes.
Olympic Valley, CA 96146 United States
The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race, traversing the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California.
Course Highlights
The course begins at Olympic Valley, climbing 2,550 feet in the first 4.5 miles to Emigrant Pass. From there, runners traverse the high country of the Granite Chief Wilderness, following the historic Western States Trail. The route plunges into the deep, sweltering canyons of the American River drainage, passing through legendary mining settlements like Michigan Bluff and Foresthill. At mile 78, runners must ford the Middle Fork of the American River at Rucky Chucky, often using a cable for safety. The final miles lead to the iconic finish on the Placer High School track in Auburn, totaling over 18,000 feet of ascent.
Why Runners Love It
Western States is the “holy grail” of ultrarunning, born from a 100-mile horse race. Its prestige is cemented by a highly selective lottery and the elusive “Golden Ticket” entries. Runners compete for the coveted silver belt buckle (sub-24 hours) or bronze buckle (sub-30 hours). The race is famous for its extreme temperatures, community spirit with over 1,500 volunteers, and the “Golden Hour”—the final sixty minutes before the 30-hour cutoff where the atmosphere at the finish line becomes electric and deeply emotional as the final finishers arrive.
Race Details
- Location: Olympic Valley, United States
- Distances: 100-Mile (100.2 miles)
- Next Race Date: 2026-06-27
- Start Time: 05:00
Race Weekend Tips
Arrive early in Olympic Valley to acclimate to the altitude and attend the mandatory Friday registration at Olympic Plaza. Accommodation in Olympic Valley or Tahoe City is ideal for the start, while Auburn is better for the finish. Prepare for extreme temperature swings, from freezing mountain mornings to triple-digit canyon heat. Crews should study access points carefully, as many aid stations are remote. Don’t miss the post-race awards ceremony on Sunday to witness the incredible camaraderie of the ultra community.
History & Charity
Founded in 1974, Western States evolved from the Tevis Cup equestrian ride after Gordy Ansleigh proved the course could be completed on foot. It has since become a global icon, fostering medical research on human endurance and leading trail stewardship through the WSER Foundation. The race maintains a strict limit of 369 starters to protect the Granite Chief Wilderness. The organization also partners with non-profits like STRIDE to increase diversity in trail running by providing needs-based financial support to athletes.