The Western States 100 on June 27, 2026 is the most iconic ultramarathon in North America. Here is what the course demands and how runners prepare.
The Western States Endurance Run on June 27, 2026 covers 100.2 miles from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, following the historic Western States Trail through the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is the oldest 100-mile trail race in the world and arguably the most prestigious.
Western States is one of the hardest races in the world to enter. The lottery typically has over 11,000 applicants for 369 spots (with only about 257 available via lottery). Your odds improve each year you apply without getting in — tickets roll over. Even so, many runners wait 5-10 years before their name is drawn.
To enter the lottery, you must complete a qualifying 100-mile race within the time cutoff (usually 30 hours) in the previous year. The list of qualifying races is posted on the WS100 website.
Olympic Valley to Robinson Flat (0-30 miles): The race starts at 5 AM and immediately climbs from the valley floor to Emigrant Pass at 8,750 feet — the highest point on the course. Snow is possible in June. The climb to the Escarpment is steep and most runners power-hike it. Robinson Flat at mile 30 is the first major crew-access point.
Robinson Flat to Foresthill (30-62 miles): A long rolling section through the forests with several canyons to cross. The descents are runnable but steep. You will lose thousands of feet of elevation on these canyon descents — your quads need to be ready for this. Dusty Corners, Last Chance, and Devils Thumb are infamous sections.
Foresthill to the River (62-78 miles): The long downhill from Foresthill to the American River crossing is 3,000 feet of descent in 16 miles. This is where the race breaks runners. If your quads are shredded, this descent will be brutal. If you trained for downhill running, you can make up significant time here.
The River Crossing (mile 78): You wade across the American River — waist to chest deep depending on the water level. It is cold and shocking. Many runners change shoes on the other side. Having a pacer from here to the finish is allowed and highly recommended.
The River to Auburn (78-100.2 miles): The final 22 miles climb out of the river canyon and run along exposed ridges. This section has several steep climbs and descents. The temperature at the river can reach 100+ degrees during hot years. The last 3 miles into Auburn are on the road, and the finish at the Placer High School track is emotional beyond words.
The overall cutoff is 30 hours (11 AM Sunday). But there are intermediate cutoffs that eliminate runners throughout the race. The critical cutoffs are:
About 75-85% of starters finish in a typical recent year, though hot years push that number down significantly. Heat is the biggest factor in finish rates — hot years see significantly more DNFs.
Western States is notorious for heat. Temperatures in the canyons can exceed 100 degrees. Heat training is not optional — it is essential. Strategies include:
Western States allows pacers from mile 62 (Foresthill) and crew access at specific aid stations. A good crew can make or break your race. Brief them on what you need at each station — calories in, bottles refilled, clothing changes — and keep crew stops under 5 minutes.
Join the Western States 2026 community on Runrora to connect with other runners preparing for the race.
Find your next race on Runrora
Browse 125+ races, connect with runners, and join race communities.