Fu-Zhao Xiang of China is the top returning woman for the 2025 Western States 100 after finishing second in 2024 with the third-fastest women’s time in race history. In the following interview, Fu-Zhao talks about her race last year, how she feels better trained this time around, and how she’s hoping for hot weather on race day.
To learn more about who’s racing, check out our women’s and men’s previews before following our live race coverage on race day.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Fu-Zhao Xiang Pre-2025 Western States Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Fu-Zhao Xiang before the 2025 Western States 100. How are you, Fu-Zhao?
Fu-Zhao Xiang: Fine, thank you. I see you again. Hi!
iRunFar: Last year you ran the Western States 100 for the first time. You were second place and the third fastest time at the race. That’s amazing. You had an amazing debut here.
Xiang: Oh yeah, awesome. Everybody also thinks so.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Xiang: I can’t think about.
iRunFar: So, this year you’re the top woman from last year coming back to this race.
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: How does that feel?
Xiang: Every year, the competition is different. And this year, maybe the same level, similar level, is more, more, runners. So, I think this year after halfway, maybe many runners run together.
iRunFar: Okay.
Xiang: Because last year after 100 kilometers, I ran by myself. [laughs]
iRunFar: Yeah?
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: So maybe you’ll have some more company, some more women with you in the race.
Xiang: I think so. Yeah.
iRunFar: And do you think having that more competition will make you run better and stronger?
Xiang: Most of the time it’s faster if competition is more. Yeah. But maybe not. I need to adjust my mindset. I think during the race, the mindset is very important.
iRunFar: So, it is interesting this year. Last year, we had Katie Schide run so, so fast.
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: But this year, the women’s competition, a lot of very strong runners, but a similar level, I think.
Xiang: Yeah. Yes.
iRunFar: Is that exciting?
Xiang: Yeah. And during the training camp, some runners, we ran together. We can find out if different runners [are] good at uphill or downhill.
iRunFar: And you, which is your best?
Xiang: I think maybe hot weather is better for me. [laughs]
iRunFar: You like the hot weather?
Xiang: Yeah. Because we run together. Like some runners, when they made the river, they will fall in the river. I don’t need it.
iRunFar: No?
Xiang: But one time I was falling in the river. I think, oh, it’s better. When I’m uphill, I feel I run faster. So just cool down the body. So maybe I will try during the race.
iRunFar: And not just the river. There are a few other places on the course where there’s a small river or.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: But you felt much better after, in climbing.
Xiang: Yeah. Yes. Much better.
iRunFar: What else do you think you can improve or change from last year to this year?
Xiang: The training is better because last year I got injured.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: So, you’re stronger this year?
Xiang: Just the training got better. I think your training is not as important than during the race. Just those thousands of hours. That is most important.
iRunFar: The actual execution, how you perform on race day is.
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: Yeah. So you weren’t at your top level last year. I think that’s very scary for the rest of the women’s field. [laughs]
Xiang: Sorry.
iRunFar: What do you think it will take for you to win? It’s possible. What do you need to do?
Xiang: I don’t know. I just follow myself. I just feel where is my mind state during the race. Yeah, that’s the most important. Yeah.
iRunFar: Is your mental state.
Xiang: Yeah.
iRunFar: And have you, when you’ve run other important races, have you had times where you could have performed better in your mind, your mental state?
Xiang: Oh, what?
iRunFar: In the past, at important races at UTMB, at Western States, have there been a time when you maybe could have been, had better mental state?
Xiang: I think so. I think mind state is [more] important than body.
iRunFar: Okay. Do you have any tools or any things you do to make sure your mindset is good?
Xiang: During the training, I come to America during the training. I think every day I feel relaxed, not intense yet.
iRunFar: And in training, you don’t want to be intense. And you think the same when you race?
Xiang: Yes. Yes. It’s very important. Yeah.
iRunFar: Obviously, there have been many great performances by Chinese ultrarunners. But what would it mean for a Chinese runner to win a Western States? Would that be very important?
Xiang: Oh, because if a Chinese runner wins the race, that is the first time.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Xiang: Chinese runner and Asian runner win the Western States. And now have a lot, of course, UTMB have a lot of Asian runners win the race. So for us, that is very important. Maybe I have a chance. [laughs]
iRunFar: Maybe you have a chance. I like this.
Xiang: Maybe I need a few years.
iRunFar: But I don’t know. After last year’s race, I think you have a chance.
Xiang: Oh, thank you.
iRunFar: Yeah. Well, good luck. For you, I hope it’s a very hot race.
Xiang: Yeah. I checked, the temperature is higher than last year.
iRunFar: And every time that gets higher, your smile gets bigger.
Xiang: [smiling]
iRunFar: I see. Well, I hope for you, it’s very hot. Good luck.
