It is June, and the temperatures across North America are warming up. That can mean only one thing: It’s Western States 100 time! Over the next few weeks, the eyes of the ultrarunning world — and those of this columnist! — will be squarely directed to the race’s 2026 edition.
Taking place on June 27, this year’s event, like every year, has countless intriguing stories to follow. I’d like to highlight three of what I think are the most interesting stories coming into this year’s race, and also propose 12 runners — we’ll call them AJW’s Dirty Dozen — who I think are likely to be at the front of the group come sundown at the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn, California, on race day.
Abby Hall winning the 2025 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
1. Stephanie Irving
For the past nine years, in honor of former race director Greg Soderlund, the Western States race organization has reserved the Silver Legend spot in the race for a runner 60 years of age or older who has made significant contributions to ultrarunning, and Western States in particular. The Silver Legend entrant for 2026 is 64-year-old Stephanie Irving from Trout Lake, Washington. Irving is the co-founder of Wild Women Trail Runs, a women-only trail marathon in the Columbia River Gorge that has been held since 2012. A 2025 Cocodona 250 Mile finisher and a 2026 Canyons 100k finisher in April in 17:49, Irving is lining up for her first-ever run at Western States, and I’m excited to see how she does.
2. Abby Hall
The last time there was a repeat winner of the women’s race at Western States was in 2012, when Ellie Greenwood won for the second year in a row. Since then, a different woman has won every year, with the exception of Courtney Dauwalter, who won the race twice during that period — in 2018 and 2023. Abby Hall is going for the repeat win this year, and it will be fascinating to see how it plays out now that she has another year of injury-free training under her belt.
3. Zach Miller
In my opinion, Zach Miller is the most successful American male ultrarunner on the scene today to have never run Western States. Long-time fans of the sport will remember that Zach earned a Golden Ticket to Western States at the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile back in 2014 but declined it, saying he was not quite ready to take on the 100-mile distance. Fast forward 12 years, and Zach once again scored a Golden Ticket, this time at the Canyons 100k in April. At long last, we will see Miller toeing the line.
Zach Miller finishing the 2026 Canyons 100k in second to earn a Golden Ticket. Photo: Nick Presniakov
Last Year’s Western States 100 Race Predictions
Before I list my 2026 predictions, I’m looking back at my 2025 predictions and seeing how they played out.
2025 Men’s Predictions and Their Final Result
- Kilian Jornet – 3rd
- Rod Farvard – DNF
- Adam Peterman – 68th
- Daniel Jones – 5th
- Caleb Olson – 1st
- Jia-Sheng Shen – DNS
Kilian Jornet on his way to third place at the 2025 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
2025 Women’s Predictions and Their Final Result
- Tara Dower – DNF
- Emily Hawgood – 10th
- Eszter Csillag – DNF
- Fu-Zhao Xiang – 2nd
- Abby Hall – 1st
- Marianne Hogan – 3rd
Tara Dower winning the 2025 Javelina 100 Mile and earning her Golden Ticket to the 2026 Western States 100. Photo: Howie Stern
AJW’s 2026 Western States 100 Race Predictions
With neither last year’s first- nor second-place men returning, it would have been a wide-open field were it not for the return of four-time winner and course-record holder, Jim Walmsley — even if he’s been nursing an injury. Hall has to be the favorite for the women, but Jennifer Lichter set a massive course record at the 2026 Black Canyon 100k and could definitely challenge.
Men
- Jim Walmsley
- Jeff Mogavero
- Zach Miller
- Hayden Hawks
- Hans Troyer
- Will Murray
Jim Walmsley, 2024 Western States 100 champion. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Women
- Abby Hall
- Jennifer Lichter
- Tara Dower
- Anne Flower
- Fu-Zhao Xiang
- Hannah Allgood
Jennifer Lichter on her way to winning the 2026 Black Canyon 100k and earning a Golden Ticket. Photo: Howie Stern
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Moonraker Brewing in Auburn, California. Puzzle Dust is a refreshingly sweet New England-style pale ale that has a touch of bitterness and a smooth finish. Crisp and light, Puzzle Dust presents a new and fresh take on a classic variety.
Call for Comments
- What do you think of AJW’s predictions?
- Who would you put as your top five men and women?
