What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — June 24

Summer has landed and so has the most anticipated ultramarathon on the North American calendar, the 50th Western States Endurance Run. As with all the Golden Ticket races on the calendar, we talked with the contenders to get a sense of how their build-ups went and gather insight into their thoughts and feelings, and find out what they’re most looking forward to on race day.

Western States will begin at 5 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, in Olympic Valley, California at Palisades Tahoe with live tracking and a live broadcast. 

The women’s field features two defending champions and just five of the top 10 who will be returning from the 2022 race. The 2018 champion and holder of the fifth-fastest time, Leadville’s Courtney Dauwalter, returns for the first time since dropping from the race in 2019. She earned her way back by winning the 2022 Bandera 100k in course-record time. She said, “I am so excited to be racing Western States this year and am very thankful for all the work that was done this spring to get the course ready. The field is stacked and the day will surely provide plenty of problem-solving opportunities. I am looking forward to 100 miles of adventure and the time spent visiting my pain cave.”

Finishing in seventh (2021) and fifth (2022) place in the last two editions of Western States, Emily Hawgood of Beatrice, Zimbabwe, said, “I am very excited for Western States, beyond grateful for the community and the love and time that has been poured into these amazing trails. (I’m) honored for the opportunity to run beside so many incredible humans, along each magic ridgeline, through each story-filled canyon and section, and to have my family and team out there for every step on the journey home.”

Leah Yingling out of Salt Lake City, Utah, ran to sixth place in her debut at Western States last year and told us, “I’m feeling extremely privileged to stand on the start line for a second time. I love snow, I love heat and I love running 100 miles. I know making the race happen this year required countless hours from so many dedicated individuals and I’m not going to take any of it for granted. I’m ready to do my thing.”

Spokane, Washington, resident Taylor Nowlin was just behind Yingling in seventh, also in her debut, and kept it short. “My main goal for States is just to have a good time. I’m very intentionally not putting pressure on myself to achieve anything other than that.”

Katie Asmuth from Mammoth Lakes, California, like the aforementioned Hawgood, has finished in the top 10 in the last two years (ninth in 2022 and fifth in 2021). She said, “I’m feeling like one lucky girl to have a third go at States. I love this race and all that it embodies. The community, the competition and the course mixed with 50 years of history. It’s going to be another year of giving every ounce of myself on that course. After coming back from surgery on my foot (navicular bone) after Western States last year, I’m feeling a lot of gratitude that I can even get to the line to compete. Bodies are pretty incredible.”

Portland, Oregon’s Keely Henninger finished ninth in the 2021 race and then suffered an ankle injury that forced her to drop out last year. In February, she won and set a new course record at the Black Canyon 100k. “The big training is done and it’s time to taper. I would be remiss to say tapering always feels amazing. Sometimes you feel kind of terrible on an easy run and immediately question everything. One week before Black Canyon I had felt so bad on one run that I questioned racing it. Clearly, that run didn’t mean anything.”

Coming all the way from Kalmar, Sweden, Ida Nilsson won one of the two final Golden Tickets just two months ago at the Canyons 100k in Auburn, California. “Training has gone not bad, not good since Canyons. I’m very happy with putting together five weeks with 100-115 miles, which I haven’t done in many years. No training has been particularly good, but I’m very pleased with making it to the start line healthy and with a good base. Right now I’m in a resting mood and saving the excitement for a few more days. But I will feel excited for the challenge. It’s new territory for me to run this long. 100k is the longest before, but I’m also excited to see how I can do among such a strong field of women.”

Living in Isola, France, American Katie Schide won her Golden Ticket by winning the 2022 UTMB. She said, “This will be my first ever experience at Western States and I’m so looking forward to seeing what this event is all about. The last few months of training have been quite different from how I normally train for ultras (a lot more running, a lot less hiking) and I’m curious to see how my body will respond to this new kind of format. This race will also be special because it is the first time my family will be there to support me in person.”

Eszter Csillag of Hong Kong, China, received her Golden Ticket after three roll-downs, finishing fifth at UTMB behind Schide. “I have been in the lucky position to have enough time to build up to this race. From January everything was a small step leading towards WSER. It is my first race in the US and I’m looking forward to trying myself out in this legendary race. I have been studying the course and the race but for sure there will be some surprises. I wish for myself to be in the right mindset to handle them well and enjoy the day.”

2023 will be Nicole Bitter’s eighth Western States. The Austin, Texas, resident has three top-10 finishes and three DNFs. She won her Golden Ticket by finishing second at the Bandera 100k. “It is hard to believe this will be my eighth start at Western States. I am excited to see what I can do on Saturday amongst such a great field of competitors.”

Traveling from Boulder, Colorado, Riley Brady won their Golden Ticket by finishing second at the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Brady said, “I’m super excited to race. It’s an event I’ve been looking forward to being a part of for a long time. Every once in a while, I get hit with a wave of nervousness, but I’m mostly feeling ready to get this party started.”

Jenny Quilty out of Port Moody, British Columbia, won the Doi Inthanon 100-miler in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in December 2022 to secure her Golden Ticket into this year’s race. She told us, “This race has been a source of inspiration for years and I’m so excited to experience the journey on course and alongside every single person who has made it to this start line. For me, the magic of States is that every person on that start line has had some incredible journey. Whether that’s a Golden Ticket for a few of us, a lucky one or two-ticket lottery draw or those who have spent years obtaining lottery tickets, there is so much to be celebrated. Mentally, I’m feeling excited and prepared to make the big journey from Olympic Valley to Auburn with an incredible field of athletes and as always, ready to embrace any unexpected adventures the day may bring.”

Hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, is Priscilla Forgie who won her Golden Ticket by finishing second at the Canyons 100k in April. “I’m heading into WSER filled with overwhelming gratitude. No matter how the day goes, one thing that’s certain is I’ll be soaking up all the positive energy, riding the highs and lows, and smiling ear to ear. What an opportunity to be part of this community.”

Another Boulder runner, Meg Morgan, came in third at February’s Black Canyon 100k to earn her way into the race and said, “As a newcomer to the 100-mile distance, I’m focusing on the controllable: be smart and smile. Nerves are natural and inevitable in a sport with infinite uncontrollable variables but that doesn’t mean those nerves have to occupy my mind and add stress to my body.”

With five top-10 finishes including a win at the 2016 race, Kaci Lickteig from Omaha, Nebraska, is lining up for her ninth Western States. “I can’t believe I will be running my ninth Western States. It’s been such an incredible part of my life these past nine years, and I feel so grateful for all the memories and time spent on and off the trails. This place is my second home and this year we will be celebrating the 50th edition. I feel honored to be a part of it.”

Camille Herron from Warr Acres, Oklahoma, and Heather Jackson from Bend, Oregon, are also expected to compete for the top 10 at the race.

There are 301 men entered, and seven of the top 10 returning from the 2022 race.

Arlen Glick of Massillon, Ohio, finished third at his first Western States last year and said, “I am just so excited to see the contrast in the difference between last year’s weather and trail conditions and this year’s weather and trail conditions. (I’m) also super excited to see how a little more experience on the course will serve me in this year’s race.”

Portland’s Tyler Green is lining up for his fourth consecutive Western States. He finished fourth in 2022 and second in 2021. Green said, “Between the snow in the high country, the burned areas, so many fresh faces on the starting line and possibly more mild temps, this feels like a year of so many unknowns. I’m looking forward to facing and responding to the challenges as they come.”

Alex Nichols out of Manitou Springs, Colorado, is also aiming for his fourth top-10 finish in as many finishes. He was eighth last year and said, “Western States is exciting because no one really knows how things will unfold on race day. The experience I have with this race is definitely an advantage, but as always, I’m trying to approach this course with respect. I know that there isn’t much room for error in such a competitive field. My plan is to run smart and put myself in the thick of it when the race really starts.”

Cody Lind from Challis, Idaho, was just behind Nichols, finishing in ninth last year, and is going for his third straight top-10 finish. He told us, “Being able to toe the line at the 50th year of the Western States is going to be something special. It’s going to be quite the celebration with snow, burn scars and all of the obstacles that are thrown at you over the course of this race. I am really excited to get out there with a very competitive field and see what day I can have as we celebrate this incredible year.”

Dakota Jones of Salt Lake City won the Javelina Jundred in course-record fashion last fall and has a level-headed approach to the race. “I think that I’ve been able to have a resurgence of competitiveness which I think has mainly come from wanting to compete and finding another purpose to come back. It feels like people are behind me in this. I’m going to go to bed on Friday night and I want to wake up and have a great race on Saturday. After Saturday, I’m going to go home and keep working on Footprints Running Camp, climate action and keep working with NNormal. I want to keep working on things that involve running and make me more than just a runner.” 

Hailing from Montréal, Quebec, but living in France, Mathieu Blanchard won his Golden Ticket by finishing second at the 2022 UTMB. He said, “I’m very excited to find myself on the start line of a race that I’ve never completed before. It makes it that much more exhilarating. I love the anticipation of jumping into the unknown.” 

Cole Watson out of nearby Rancho Cordova, California, won the Canyons 100k in April to secure his spot on the start line for the second straight year. “I’m happy to be back racing Western States for the second year in a row. I had an ok race last year and have learned a lot since then. This year’s conditions are going to be a new set of challenges, but I feel ready to take on whatever they deal me. I want to improve on last year’s race. It may not be by time, but hopefully, it’s at least by place.”

Boulder-based Adam Merry was the runner-up behind Cole and told us, “These are two big debuts for me, first Western and first 100-miler. One thing I’ve learned this season is how to trust my instincts and run my own race. I felt really good at the end of Canyons and recovery/training has gone really well. I’m looking forward to the uncharted territory between mile 65 and the finish line.”

In February, Salt Lake City’s Anthony Costales ran to a commanding victory and course record at the Black Canyon 100k. “I have tried to keep my mindset into States the same as any other race that I have gone into. There have been a few new things implemented into training but for the most part kept it simple like I have in the past. Having a consistent training block while not getting sick from my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter has been a huge win physically and mentally.”

Jeff Colt out of Carbondale, Colorado, won January’s Bandera 100k and said, “I’ve meditated on what I want out of Western States this year—my goal was to show up on race day being so fit that I don’t know what I’m capable of. I think I’m there. I want to surprise even myself. I plan to push myself a bit harder than I feel comfortable with, firmly believing in my training and my community. It’s a highly competitive field and I look forward to running with some of the best in the world.

Flying all the way from Wellington, New Zealand, the 2022 Tarawera 100k runner-up Daniel Jones is excited for his first go at Western States, “As a debutant, I’m going into this race with an open mind. I know if I put all the pieces together on race day I can do very well as my training has gone well and I’ve learned a lot in this past year. I feel a lot more confident that I can work my way into the race and finish strong.”

Ryan Montgomery from Wanship, Utah, finished just behind Jones to claim the second Golden Ticket at Tarawera. He said, “I could not be happier to toe the Western States start line among so many amazing athletes this year. Personally, I have invested a lot in my training leaving no stone unturned. I’m the most fit and strongest I’ve ever been, and that is going to yield an amazing performance. Most importantly, I believe in myself more than ever. It is worth it to note that I’m a racer who has one of the most 100-mile race finishes among the elite field. My body knows what to do.”

Janosch Kowalczyk of Stuttgart, Germany, came in third at the 2022 Black Canyon 100k to snag the last Golden Ticket and told us, “I’m nervous but also very excited and looking forward to every mile at one of the (most) famous ultra races. And I’m ready.”

Jon Rea, also from Boulder, finished 16th at the 2022 Western States and then earned his way back in with a second-place showing at the Javelina Jundred. “Last year, I got the experience I wanted from States, but not the competitive outcome. I loved the trails, the atmosphere and having family from CA support me. This year, I’ll try to replicate that experience, with my brother Chris and sister Susan as pacers, and add to it a top finish. I’ve trained more for this race than I ever have before, and getting top 10, or even landing on the podium, would mean a lot to me.”

Denver, Colorado’s JP Giblin was the runner-up to Colt at the Bandera 100k and kept his response short and sweet. “I’m looking forward to racing against some of the best on such a historic course. I’m going to give it my all and really go for it.”

Jiasheng Shen of Kunming, China, got in through the race in the lottery. He was fourth at UTMB’s CCC last August. “Actually this is my first try at the 100-mile race, so I feel so excited about it. With the challenge of the snow and hot weather, the race will be very hard this year, so good luck to all runners, see you on the course.”

Mammoth Lakes’ Rod Farvard is back for a third time on a sponsor entry. “Colloquially they like to say, ‘Third time’s the charm.’ I’m not really looking for the charm. I’m not looking for magic. I’m looking to do what I know I can do. My body’s fresh and I haven’t gone to the well in over six months. I’ve heat trained in the desert, I’ve been in Auburn and checked out much of the course, I’ve run on snow in Mammoth and I’ve experimented with my nutrition for months. All of that is great, but best of all, my mind is ready to go to a very dark place. I’m itching for that experience. It’s been too long without it.”

Coree Woltering from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is back at the race for the first time in five years via the lottery. He told us, “In 2018, I was ‘happy to be here’ and I think I ran well but left a lot of time on the table. This year, I don’t want to be *just* happy to be here, I am ready to race. Unfortunately, on Wednesday (10 days out), I took a bad fall, split my chin open, bruised a couple ribs, and am dealing with some minor concussion symptoms. I know the fitness is there, I just have to manage the pain. Honestly, it could be a lot worse, and I think this will also force me to be a bit more careful early on, and that could end up being a great thing. I have a plan, years of experience and I am ready to rock ‘n roll.”

Last year’s runner-up Hayden Hawks of Cedar City, Utah, and the second Golden Ticket winner from the 2022 UTMB Tom Evans, hailing from Loughborough, England, didn’t respond to a request for comment.

As always, there are many more races on our UltraRunning Calendar this weekend all over the country.

What’s Up in Ultra in your community to kick off summer and who are your top 10 picks for the women’s and men’s races at Western States?