With Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. behind us, the calendar flips to June. And with that, the eyes of the ultrarunning world — and those of this columnist! — are directed to the 2025 Western States 100.
Taking place on June 28, this year’s event, like every year, is filled with intriguing stories. I’d like to highlight four of the most compelling stories in this year’s race and also present the 12 runners — let’s call them AJW’s Dirty Dozen — who I think are likely to be at the front of the pack come sundown at the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn, California, on race day.
1. The Over 70s
This year, for the first time in race history, there are six runners aged 70 and over toeing the line in Olympic Valley. Nick Bassett (80) from Nevada, Michael Koppy (74) from Minnesota, Jan Vleck (72) from Washington, Ed Willson (70) from Oregon, Jim Howard (70) from California, and Michel Poletti (70) from France. And, while the historical odds are stacked against them, having interviewed each of these men prior to the race, I can assure you that they are coming prepared to buck those odds.
Craig Thornley (left), race director of the Western States 100, talks with Michel and Catherine Poletti, co-founders of UTMB. This year, Michel Poletti will race the Western States 100 at age 70. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
2. Jamil Coury’s Western States 100 Comeback
One of the hardest working people in ultrarunning, Aravaipa Running’s founder and owner Jamil Coury is once again on the starting line of Western States, 15 years after he first ran it in 2010. A multi-time Hardrock 100 finisher and Barkley Marathons Fun Run finisher, Coury has a knack for the hard stuff. But, after finally getting into the race with 128 tickets in the lottery, Coury is going after another finish at Western States. And, in true Jamil style, he is doing so on the strength of a brief 25-day training block!
3. Heather Jackson’s Unorthodox Build-Up
Back at the 2022 Javelina 100 Mile, Ironman triathlete Heather Jackson stormed her way into the trail running and ultrarunning scene with an off-the-front performance. And, while she ultimately drifted to fourth place that day, Jackson served notice that she was here to stay. A true multi-sport athlete, just last weekend Jackson won the Unbound Gravel XL race, a grueling 350-mile bike race through Kansas. While her preparation is certainly unorthodox, one cannot help but root for this extraordinary athlete to once again crack the top 10 at Western States, following her seventh-place debut at the race last year.
Heather Jackson and Ida Nilsson crossing the American River together, with the women’s masters’ record in play for whomever would finish faster. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
4.The Role of the Media
When I first ran Western States in 2001, the extent of the media coverage was one reporter each from the “Sacramento Bee” and the “Auburn Journal.” By the time I ran my last Western States in 2014, iRunFar was on the scene providing comprehensive coverage and a handful of online journalistic outfits were on hand as well. In recent years, due in large part to the popularity of the sport and the increasingly professionalization of the athletes, media coverage of the race has exploded to the extent that the race organization now needs to limit the number of media passes it can provide in order to avoid overcrowding at various points along the course.
AJW’s 2025 Western States 100 Race Predictions
There are no clear favorites in both the women’s and men’s fields this year. Jim Walmsley, the men’s course record holder and four time winner, has withdrawn from the race and Katie Schide, last year’s winner, has chosen not to return. As a result, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will ultimately challenge for the top spots. But here are my picks for the top six women and men:
Men
- Kilian Jornet
- Rod Farvard
- Adam Peterman
- Daniel Jones
- Caleb Olson
- Jia-Sheng Shen
Rod Farvard finishing the climb to Michigan Bluff in second at the 2024 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Women
Bottoms up!
Emily Hawgood runs past mile 61 before Foresthill during the 2022 Western States 100. Emily would finish fifth woman that year. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from New Glory Craft Brewing in Sacramento, California. Gummy Worms is a sweet tasting hazy IPA brewed with Citra and Amarillo hops to create a candy-like beer that is surprisingly complex. Weighing in at 5.8% ABV, Gummy Worms is a perfect summer beer for just about any occasion.
Call for Comments
- What are your predictions for this year’s Western States 100?
- What other intriguing storylines are you watching this year?
