Western States Endurance Run
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Western States Endurance Run
The Western States 100‑Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100 mile trail race. The 2026 edition is scheduled for June 27-28, 2026. The course begins in Olympic Valley, California, and finishes 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, at Placer High School.
The route traverses the traditional lands of the Nisenan, Washoe, and other neighboring Indigenous Peoples. Over the course runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet. Key sections include Emigrant Pass, the Granite Chief Wilderness, a crossing of the Middle Fork of the American River, and the reddish brown trails of California gold country.
The event traces back to 1974 and has been conducted for multiple decades. Finishers who complete the course in under 24 hours receive a silver belt buckle; finishers under 30 hours receive a bronze belt buckle. The race operation involves more than 1,500 volunteers and uses a lottery and qualifying process; applicants must have completed a qualifying race of 100k or longer within the previous year to be eligible for entry.
Trail stewardship projects associated with the event include a Granite Chief Wilderness reroute that will add over seven miles of new and rehabilitated trail. Construction on that project began in 2023 with funding commitments from federal and partner sources and aims for phased openings in 2026 and 2028. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
