The heat will have taken a toll on the bodies of the participants engaged in the 51e edition of the Western States (161 km; 5500 D+). Which did not prevent the performances from being there, both for men and women! And it was the big favorites who won at the end of a thrilling race. Manhandled by the young Rob Farvard for more than 120 kilometers, Jim Walmsley posted the second best time in the history of the event (14:13:45). While Katie Schide continued to widen the gap with her competitors, crossing the finish line in less than 16 hours (15:46:57). A feat achieved by Courtney Dauwalter last year that seemed unlikely to be repeated for a long time.
It was at 5 a.m. California time, or 2 p.m. in France, that the 51 was launched this Saturday, June 29e edition of the legendary Western States (161 km; 5500 D+). A 100-mile anthology described by the Americans as the “Super Bowl of ultra trail” that crisscrosses California. And at the start of the oldest ultra endurance race in the world, there were once again some great people this year: superstar Jim Walmsley, challenged by Hayden Hawks, Tyler Green or Jonathan Albon or the talented Katie Schide. On paper, the race promised to be thrilling… and we were not disappointed!
Jim Walmsley pushed to his limits
Jim Walmsley is used to reigning supreme in the Western States. And given his past performances in this event (three victories and record for the event), we wondered who could have put him in difficulty in his quest for a fourth coronation, an essential step to the success of his double “Western States/UTMB”. However, nothing was won in advance since the American had to face some tough competition. Since 7 members of last year’s top 10 were gathered on the starting line on Saturday. It would therefore have been very presumptuous to make the trail runner, the big favorite, the winner even before the start of the event!
And the least we can say is that the victory was not easy. The extreme density of runners pushed Jim Walmsley to his limits. He was notably challenged by Rod Farvard, winner of the Canyons 100k, a 100-kilometer course combining road and trail. The 28-year-old American trail runner was hot on Jim Walmsley’s heels until the 120e kilometer, from time to time taking the lead of the race. He even managed to gain a three-minute lead at the exit of the Green Gate aid station, 20 miles from the finish.
This had the effect of an electric shock for Jim who then moved up a gear. An acceleration that Rob Farvard, visibly exhausted at the end of the race, was unable to follow. He still managed to maintain his second place, ahead of his compatriot, Hayden Hawks, 3e16 seconds!
Katie Schide, Imperial
In the absence of last year’s winner Courtney Dauwalter, the way seemed clear for American Katie Schide, 2e in 2023. Victorious on the UTMB 2022 and on the Diagonale des Fous 2023, she started her 2024 season with a victory on the Canyons 100k. Enough to give her confidence two months before the Western States.
The American was, however, full of doubts a few days before the start. “I always wonder if I was lucky last year [sur la Western States, ndlr] ” she told us. “That’s why today, I consider nothing to be a given.” Some wondered whether she could beat Dauwalter’s time, but the American trail runner emphasizes the enormity of the challenge. “To say that would be disrespectful to Courtney’s record… knowing that I finished an hour and 15 minutes behind her! Last year’s race was marked by persistent accumulation of snow, but without the stifling temperatures so common during the race. I don’t want to set limits on myself, but I also want to be realistic. If I can do the same time as last year, while it will be very hot, that will already be a great achievement.”
And despite the stifling temperatures this weekend, the American has just completed a masterful race. It breaks the 16-hour barrier for the second time in the history of the race. A performance, performed by Courtney Dauwalter last year, which seemed unlikely to be repeated for a long time. Katie Schide did it, however, in style. Starting alone in the lead, the American continued to widen the gap with her competitors. And after having run the entire race in the lead fighting against the heat, she beat her personal best by more than an hour which is only 17 minutes behind Courtney Dauwalter’s reference time.
Header photo: @hoka / @wser
- Themes :
- Jim Walmsley
- Trail Running
- Ultra Trail
- Western States
