"Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, Western States, in the decades since its inception in 1974, has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world.
Following the historic Western States Trail, runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn. In the miles between Squaw Valley and Auburn, runners experience the majestic high country beauty of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness, the crucible of the canyons of the California gold country, a memorable crossing of the ice-cold waters of the main stem of the Middle Fork of the American River, and, during the latter stages, the historic reddish-brown-colored trails that led gold-seeking prospectors and homesteading pilgrims alike to the welcoming arms of Auburn."
At the time of this writing, over 2,600 applicants have thrown their name in the hat for a shot at this iconic event. While my chances of getting picked are very slim, simply to have the chance to list my name alongside many of the great runners that make up the sport is an honor in and of itself.
Interestingly, the Chicago Marathon recently posted over 40,000 finishers in its annual event (which I ran in 2004 - and thoroughly enjoyed every step). Just a reminder at how "fringe" the ultrarunning scene remains, despite the surge in popularity the sport has seen over the past several years.
A fantastic video recap of the 2014 Western States 100 can be found here. It's well worth 4 minutes. And now, I wait as the lottery process plays out. To be continued in a couple weeks....
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