A First-Timer’s Guide to In-Person Spectating the Western States 100
A guide to in-person spectating at the Western States 100.
Abby Hall and Caleb Olson won the Western States 100! Read our 2025 Western States 100 results article for the full race story. Also, enter now for your chance to win Altra Experience Wild 2 trail shoes.
Andy Jones-Wilkins
Title: AJW’s Taproom Columnist
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Social Media Links
Expertise
- Topics of Expertise: Trail running, ultrarunning, run coaching
- Amount of Expertise: 22 years trail running, 30 years ultrarunning, and 12 years coaching running, along with more than 500 articles published in the AJW’s Taproom column.
Education & Certifications
- Education: Bachelor of Arts, American Studies, Hamilton College; Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Villanova University
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Years of Professional Experience Relevant to iRunFar: 11 years writing AJW’s Taproom
- Club Memberships: Aravaipa Running, Virginia Happy Trails Running Club, Charlottesville Area Trail Runners Club
- Other Relevant Positions, Current or Past: Senior-level coach with CTS, frequent contributor to Trail Runner Nation Podcast, Koopcast, and the Adventure Jogger podcast.
A Word from Andy Jones-Wilkins
I aim to inspire and motivate others about and through trail running and ultrarunning by providing thoughtful and provocative columns. My personal interests include trail running, ultrarunning, gravel cycling, and pizza making.
Running and Aging: Recovery After a Big Event
AJW recounts some observations on recovery as an older athlete, as he recovers from his recent finish of the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile.
Intriguing Storylines and Predictions for the 2025 Western States 100
AJW looks ahead to the intriguing storylines and his predictions for the upcoming 2025 Western States 100.
Legendary Aid Stations: Brighton Lodge at the Wasatch Front 100 Mile
The fifth article in a series honoring legendary aid stations looks at Brighton Lodge at the Wasatch 100 Mile.
Once in a Lifetime
AJW explains why the recent Cocodona 250 Mile was a once in a lifetime race for him.
Running and Aging: Doing Scary Things
AJW shares his thoughts about the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile, his longest race to date.
AJW’s Gear and Equipment for the 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile
AJW details the gear he will be using for the upcoming 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile.
Legendary Aid Stations: Crown King at the Cocodona 250 Mile
The fourth article in a series honoring legendary aid stations looks at the Crown King aid station on the Cocodona 250 Mile course in Arizona.
When the Weather Goes South
When the weather gets tough, ultrarunners have plenty of resilience to keep on going.
Legendary Aid Stations: Hancock at High Lonesome 100 Mile
The third article in a series honoring legendary aid stations looks at the Hancock Aid Station on the High Lonesome 100 Mile course in Colorado.
The Runner’s Relationship with Shoes
AJW takes a lighthearted look at the different types of running shoe consumer he encounters in his new day job.
Running and Aging: The Need for Speed
AJW passes on some advice on how to stay fast as an aging runner.
Legendary Aid Stations: Rucky Chucky at the Western States 100
The second article in a series honoring legendary aid stations looks at the Rucky Chucky river crossing on the Western States 100 course in California.
Joe McConaughy and His Quest for a Western States 100 Golden Ticket
After seven previous attempts at securing a Western States 100 Golden Ticket, Joe McConaughy finally did so at the 2025 Black Canyon 100k.
Long Live the Local Run Specialty Store
AJW celebrates local specialty running stores, and his own latest career development.
One Voter’s Analysis of the North American Ultrarunner of the Year Awards
AJW looks at the panel’s selections for the “UltraRunning Magazine” North American Ultrarunner of the Year awards, and compares them to his own ballot.
Legendary Aid Stations: Kroger’s Canteen at the Hardrock 100
The first in a new series honoring legendary aid stations looks at Kroger’s Canteen, on the Hardrock 100 course in Colorado.
Running and Aging: Setting Ambitious and Realistic Goals
AJW outlines his goal-setting processes for 2025.
AJW’s Predictions for 2025 in Trail Running and Ultrarunning
AJW offers his predictions for 2025 in trail running and ultrarunning.
AJW’s Taproom 2024 Year in Ultrarunning Awards
AJW’s picks for various 2024 end-of-year awards for ultrarunners.
Introducing the Legendary Aid Stations Series
Introducing AJW’s new series for 2025, celebrating revered aid stations.
Running and Aging: Expectations and Recovery
AJW discusses the challenges of recovery as an aging runner.
Under the Radar Races: Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal
A profile of Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal in Andalusia, Spain.
Is David Roche Having His Geoff Roes Moment?
AJW draws a comparison between David Roche’s current winning streak and Geoff Roes’s epic year from 2009 to 2010.
Who Says You Can’t Go Home: Running the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile
AJW recounts his return to the 100-mile distance at the 2024 Javelina 100 Mile.
