Finishing third for the third-straight time, Marianne Hogan of Canada went nearly an hour faster at her 2026 Western States 100 than she did in last year’s race. In the following interview, Marianne talks about the importance of being happy with her race result, the depth of the women’s field, and what it was like racing in close proximity to so many other women.
For more on how the race played out, read our in-depth 2026 Western States 100 results article.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to watch it.]
Marianne Hogan Post-2026 Western States 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Eszter Horanyi with iRunFar, here with Marianne Hogan after the 2026 Western States 100. You were third for the third time in a row, I’m sure you’ve heard that-
Marianne Hogan: Lucky number three.
iRunFar: … countless times. How does that feel?
Hogan: It feels good, I mean, it’s hard to be disappointed. It was obviously a good day out there, and yeah, I’m just glad that I was able to secure another podium spot.
iRunFar: You went almost a full hour faster than you have before, that’s wild.
Hogan: Yeah, it’s wild, I think it’s telling as to where the sport is progressing, but also, obviously, I think the conditions were definitely making it easier for us to run faster, but we still have to run.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Hogan: So, I’m happy that I was able to finish without a headlamp, that’s actually a goal that I had since I started running Western States.
iRunFar: Oh wow. So, you finally got that?
Hogan: Yeah.
iRunFar: So, I’m curious, did it feel like you all were running with reckless abandon because it was so much cooler?
Hogan: No, I think as a group we didn’t start off that fast, especially in the high country, I think everyone knew that running fast would be important towards the end of the day. But yeah, it definitely changed the race dynamics if you will, because it’s definitely less to consider in terms of heat and heat management and speed. Yeah, it’s definitely a Western States to remember, different than the two other experiences I’ve done for sure.
iRunFar: Yeah. Which were both really hot.
Hogan: Yeah, very hot, yeah, both of my previous experiences were amongst the hottest. So, yeah.
iRunFar: I think you’re famous on iRunFar for fainting in your first interview here after the race.
Hogan: Yeah. Fainting and then throwing up on race day, those are my trademarks, so.
iRunFar: Your 15 minutes of fame.
Hogan: Exactly.
iRunFar: I just wanted to, because you took it out pretty quick, it looked like you went out with the intention that I’m going to take control of this race and go. Is that what happened?
Hogan: Yes and no. I feel like the high country is very, very rolly up and down and that’s something that I really enjoy when it’s very runnable fast downhills, and I just had fun with it, I didn’t have a strategy beyond that. I knew that I wouldn’t necessarily want to run hard up Duncan Canyon, which is what happened, I showed up first in Duncan Canyon but then slowed down up to Robinson Flat. So, yeah, I think it wasn’t necessarily a strategic move more than I was just having fun with it and decided to go, to take the lead.
iRunFar: Yeah. Was there ever a point of time during the day when you looked at your watch and you looked at your splits and were like, ooh, we’re cooking along here?
Hogan: No, I mean, I was asking my crew how we were doing in terms of time, and I think it was pretty clear that we were moving pretty well, but it’s a race, and we’re all moving pretty well so it’s not about… And the race dynamic was that there were always so many girls around me that you couldn’t really focus on the fact that we’re moving fast because we’re all moving fast together.
iRunFar: Yeah. I’d also like to talk about that because it’s like you ran at the front with Jenn [Lichter] and Riley [Brady] and those girls, and then in the back half of the race, you had a pretty good battle going on with Lotti [Brinks] and Tara [Dower]. Can you speak to just the depth of the women’s field this year?
Hogan: Yeah, the depth was deep, for sure. There was a lot of girls, and yeah, a lot of women always showing back up just when sometimes I thought that I had put on a good effort, some women would come on me, and I think that’s really cool, it makes the race really interesting, and it definitely makes it that we’re all there pushing each other. As much the front of the pack than the top 10 I think we were, and even top 15 at some point, we were all very, very close to one another, and it makes the race really interesting, and it makes it that you really have to stay focused on what you’re doing and not miss a beat.
iRunFar: Yeah. I think what’s interesting is eventually halfway you settled into that third-place position, like Foresthill, you got there, you’re hanging out, but then the gaps to the leaders didn’t really change for the rest of the race, and then the gaps to the back didn’t really change. What was that like? I guess were you trying to catch the leaders, or were you more running scared from the people behind you?
Hogan: No, I was definitely hoping to get closer to the leaders, but I had a little bit of issues on that section, I was having digestion issues that definitely slowed me down, and it became just get to the finish line as quickly as you can. But it was still interesting to see where I was standing in terms of the leaders in the back pack, but Caitlin Fielder was closing in quickly, and that made that last section from Pointed Rocks to the finish definitely spicy for me. And I joke around that if there’s anybody in the field that I wouldn’t want chasing me it’s Caitlin, just because she’s known to be a closer, and yeah, it definitely pushed me for that last six miles from Pointed Rocks.
iRunFar: I forget, is that the most you’ve been pushed like in the back 20 miles?
Hogan: Yeah. I think last year I was definitely pushing in order to see if I could catch Fu-Zhao [Xiang], and came up short to Robie Point, and this time I was, even to Robie Point, I was like, I need to keep pushing because I’m worried she’s going to come charging.
iRunFar: I’d love to, the third-place finish, what was your mental state? When you were in third you’re like, oh, here I am again? Or were you like stoked, being like, this is a super deep women’s field and I’m a third?
Hogan: I think it’s such a shame when we finish a race and we’re disappointed with the result, I feel like I can be proud of the effort I put forward, and, yeah, eventually it would be nice to step on the first step of a podium, but I think I would be passing by life if I was disappointed by another podium finish at Western States, and that’s what I want to focus on. Of course, I want to keep improving and keep showing up and keep being better and strive for that first-place position, but I also think that I need to be happy about it and enjoy it and realize that it is something to be proud of.
iRunFar: It’s definitely something to be proud of. Yeah, that’s the deepest… I forget the stats that they were announcing at the awards, but the tightest top 10 field and new women’s course record, and you all ran ridiculously fast, and was super fun to watch.
Hogan: Yeah, it was a good time for sure.
iRunFar: Good. What do you have coming up for the rest of the summer?
Hogan: Well, I’ll definitely take some time to recover, and I’m hoping to maybe jump in a race maybe later in October or something, I’m thinking I’m going to skip the whole UTMB event this year, just because I want to make sure that I heal well and think about longevity as opposed to jumping into all racing opportunities. So, I’m hoping to maybe run into either the Les Templiers or Diagonale des Fous or something like that.
iRunFar: Okay. A little redemption on that one.
Hogan: Exactly. Yeah, for sure.
iRunFar: Marianne Hogan, congratulations on your third-place finish at Western States 100.
Hogan: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.
