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28-880: The Western States 100 is one of the five 100-mile races that comprise the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning , which also includes the Old Dominion 100 in Virginia, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run , the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run in Utah, and the Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado. One of the more prestigious ultramarathons in the world, it is a qualifier for the UTMB World Series , although

56-426: A 1,500 foot ascent back up towards Robinson Flat. Between miles 30 and 45, the trail drops to elevation 3,000 feet, at which point runners make the ascent to "Devil's Thumb". From this landmark, runners descend 2,000 feet to cross El Dorado Creek, up 1,500 feet to Michigan Bluff , and then down into the town of Foresthill . At this point, runners pass through the "Cal 1", "Cal 2", and "Cal 3" descents to arrive at

84-548: A course record without being officially recognized when Wasatch was to be held on Sept. 6-7, 2013. In addition, the following text was added to http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm Kieren McCarthy questioned the legality of the Wasatch committee taking ownership of the trademark rights, noting that the other races in the series are open to anyone and that the trademark is not registered. Michigan Bluff, California Michigan Bluff (formerly, Michigan Bluffs and Michigan City )

112-523: A cumulative total of 18,090 feet (5500 m) and descend a total of 22,970 feet (7000 m) on mountain trails before reaching the finish. Starting at 6,200 feet on the Olympic Valley floor, runners immediately ascend to Emigrant Pass at 8,750 feet, gaining 2,550 feet in elevation over the first 4.5 miles. The trail then descends to around 7,000 feet at the 10-mile mark. Approximately twenty miles in, runners continue down into Duncan Canyon before making

140-486: A hand-made bronze belt buckle. Milestone belt buckles are also awarded to individuals with 10, 20, and 25 finishes in under 24 hours (the "10 Day", "20 Day", and "25 Day" belt buckles). 1000 Mile and 2500 Mile belt buckles are awarded to those with 10 and 25 official finishes. Age group awards are given to the top three men and women in the categories: 39 and under; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; and 70 and over. The oldest male and female finishers receive awards. Jim King became

168-778: Is a set of four of the five most prestigious and oldest 100-mile races contested in the United States , comprising the Old Dominion 100 Mile Endurance Run in Virginia, the Western States 100 in California , the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run in Vermont , the Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado , and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run in Utah . A small number of people manage to complete four in one calendar year. The first runner to complete

196-462: Is an unincorporated community in Placer County , California . Michigan Bluff is 4.35 miles (7.0 km) east-northeast of Foresthill . It is at an elevation of 3,510 feet (1,070 m). The original settlement was called Michigan City, but after erosion threatened the town it was moved up-slope and renamed Michigan Bluff. The Michigan City post office operated from 1854 to 1943. The town

224-553: Is limited by lotteries at Vermont, Western States, Leadville, and Wasatch. From 1986 through 2017 there have been 345 official finishers. The fastest time as of 2017 was 69:49:38 by Ian Sharman , 33 of Oregon in 2013. Complete list of finishers . 2013 finishers . In 2015, Junko Kazukawa completed the Grand Slam and the Leadwoman series , becoming the first woman to complete both events in a single year. In 2019, Dion Leonard completed

252-460: The Grand Slam and the Leadman series , becoming the first man to complete both events in a single year. Entry into the Grand Slam is administered by the race committee for the Wasatch 100, which is also the last race in the series, normally held in early September. In 2017 entry costs $ 80 and must be received before the start of the first race (Western States) in late June. Entered runners who complete

280-565: The Grand Slam was Tom Green , 35, of Maryland in 1986 in a combined time of 96 hours, 26 minutes, and 28 seconds. At the time, there were only 4 100-mile races in North America. These were the Old Dominion 100 in Virginia, Western States, Leadville, and Wasatch. Two runners completed the series in 1987 and three in 1988. In 1989, the Vermont 100 was added to the series, and runners could choose between it and Old Dominion. Starting in 2003, Old Dominion

308-645: The Rocky Chucky river crossing. Once across the American River , just over 20 miles remain. The next climb is through the town of Cool, gaining around 750 feet before sloping downward again. At 78 miles, runners must ford the American River near the Rucky Chucky crossing. To cross, runners wade with the assistance of a guide rope stretched from bank to bank. However, in high water years, runners are conveyed across

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336-464: The Tevis Cup. Runners were provided with water but were otherwise required to bring their own supplies. Thirteen of the 16 dropped out or were pulled by the 50-mile mark. Of the three remaining runners, only Andy Gonzales finished in the 24-hour time limit set for the horses. The other two, Peter Mattei and Ralph Paffenbarger , finished in 28 hours and 36 minutes (unofficially). Their finishing times led to

364-446: The UTMB organization has a major competing race in the same area with a similar course, called "Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB". The course was first attempted on foot by twenty soldiers from Fort Riley, Kansas during the 1972 Tevis Cup horse ride event. Because the Tevis Cup imposed a 24-hour time limit, the soldiers started one day before the horses. Seven completed the 100.2 miles, and it

392-626: The Western States Cougar Trophy. Provided they finish in under 24 hours, they are also declared the winners of the Wendell Robie Cup, a "perpetual" trophy with the names of all winners engraved. Runners who complete the Western States Endurance Run in less than 24 hours are awarded a hand-made silver belt buckle. Runners who complete the Western States Endurance Run in a time between 24 hours and 30 hours are awarded

420-440: The canyon in river rafts. Because of the length, the race commences at 5 a.m. and continues through the day and into the night. There are twenty aid stations, including 10 major medical checkpoints. All entrants that complete the race in less than 30 hours and within race regulations are recognized as official finishers and receive a finisher's medallion. The top male finisher and the top female finisher are each awarded with

448-559: The establishment of the first sub-30-hour awards. Later that year, the Western States Trail Foundation established the race's first Board of Directors. The following year, 1978, the Western States Endurance Run was made independent of the Tevis Cup and took place in June, a month earlier than the horse ride. There were 21 aid stations and six medical checks. Sixty-three runners competed, 30 runners finished, and Pat Smythe became

476-451: The first runner to win on debut in 1982, and came second the following year. In 1984 he won again, with a time of 14:54, which was the fastest finish until 2014, albeit set on the slightly shorter pre-1985 course. He won again in 1985 and became the first male three-time winner of the event. His time of 16:02 became the first official course record on the measured 100.2 mile course, and stood until 1991. Tim Twietmeyer , from California, holds

504-431: The first three races are guaranteed entry into Wasatch without having to go through the lottery. Runners who complete all four races but who do not enter the series are not officially recognized. A list of these so-called "stealth" runners was maintained at https://web.archive.org/web/20120715180450/http://run100s.com/stealth.htm On August 30, 2013, this page was removed, possibly out of concern that Nick Clark might set

532-524: The first woman finisher, finishing with a time of 29 hours and 34 minutes. By 1980, the number of starting runners had increased to 250 people from 3 countries and 21 states. A lottery system for race entry was implemented in 1981. In 1984, the Granite Chief Wilderness was created under the provisions of the 1964 Wilderness Act , and about four miles (6 km) of the Western States trail

560-492: The open male course record with a time of 14:09:28, set in 2019. In 2009, Amy Palmiero-Winters , a transtibial amputee, became the first amputee to complete the race, finishing in 27:43:10. In 2016, Andrew Miller, 20, became the youngest winner ever after Jim Walmsley , the forecasted winner, took a wrong turn approaching the north fork of the American River near mile 95. Men's Winners Women's Winners Grand Slam of Ultrarunning The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning

588-598: The race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The Western States Endurance Run has followed the same course since 1986, traversing a section of the Western States Trail, a designated National Recreational Trail that stretches from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Sacramento, California. Much of the course is accessible only by foot, horse, or helicopter. The race starts at the base of the Palisades Tahoe ski resort in

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616-427: The record for most women's victories, having won the race fourteen times. Her women's course record of 17:37:51, set in 1994, stood for eighteen years before being surpassed in 2012 by Ellie Greenwood , who recorded a time of 16:47:19. Courtney Dauwalter holds the open female course record with a time of 15:29:33, set in 2023 and breaking Ellie Greenwood 's record set in 2012. Jim Walmsley , from Arizona, holds

644-477: The record for race completions, having completed the race a record 25 times, all in under 24 hours. He has won the race five times and completed his 25th finish in 2006. His son, Austin Twietmeyer, has also completed the race, finishing in just under 30 hours in 2021. Scott Jurek , from Minnesota, holds the record for men’s consecutive victories. His 2005 victory was his seventh consecutive win. Ann Trason holds

672-769: The west end of the Olympic Valley in California and traverses the Foresthill Divide and through Foresthill . The course then crosses the American River Canyon, ascends through Cool , and finishes at the Placer High School track in Auburn, California . The terrain is quite rugged, often featuring snow on the passes. Temperatures during the run can range from 20 to more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Runners ascend

700-463: Was altered slightly and given an official distance of 100.2 miles from 1985 onwards. For this reason, performances from before 1985 are not included in the official list of records. In 2017, a wait list was implemented with replacement runners selected from the list to ensure that the 369 allowable starting spots were completely filled. In 2008, the race was canceled due to bad air quality and smoke from an unprecedented number of wildfires . In 2020,

728-467: Was removed from the series. In 2008, Western States was cancelled due to forest fires and the Arkansas Traveller 100 was run in its place. Starting in 2017, Old Dominion was once again added to the series and runners have to complete the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run and three of the other four races to achieve the award. Today about a dozen runners complete the Grand Slam each year. Entry

756-488: Was subsequently reported as the first "Auburn Endurance March". In 1974, Gordy Ainsleigh became the first to complete the course in under 24 hours, arriving in Auburn in twenty-three hours and forty-two minutes. In 1976, Ken “Cowman” Shirk became the second to complete the distance, though 30 minutes over the 24-hour mark. Sixteen runners signed up for the first official Western States Endurance Run in 1977, held in conjunction with

784-532: Was within the new boundaries. The wilderness designation prevented the Forest Service from permitting organized events in the area. In 1988, however, the Endurance Run (and the original Trail Ride) was given Congressional permission to continue, but with the number of runners limited to 369, the size of the 1984 field. In 1985, the course was measured and found to be slightly shorter than 100 miles. The course

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