Скачать или смотреть 2023 Western States 100 - RACE DAY! My personal experience capturing video for Singletrack on course

I was shooting the Western States Endurance Run and 100 mile race for the singletrack podcast.

Photos from the finish line by Emily Cameron, @ecam44
www.cameroncreativeco.com

The Western States 100 Endurance Run is one of the oldest and most prestigious ultramarathons in the world. It is a 100-mile (161-kilometer) trail race that takes place annually in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, United States. The race starts in Squaw Valley, near Lake Tahoe, and finishes in Auburn, California.

The Western States 100 is known for its challenging terrain and extreme conditions, including steep climbs, river crossings, and high temperatures. The race follows a point-to-point course that traverses rugged mountain trails, passes through canyons, and climbs to elevations over 8,000 feet (2,400 meters). Runners face a total elevation gain of approximately 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) and a descent of around 23,000 feet (7,000 meters).

The event was first organized in 1974 by Gordy Ainsleigh, who completed the course on foot after his horse went lame before the annual Western States Trail Ride. Since then, the Western States 100 has gained worldwide recognition and has become a pinnacle event in the world of ultramarathons. It attracts top trail runners from around the globe who compete for a limited number of coveted entry spots.

The Western States 100 is renowned for its demanding nature, and runners must navigate through various terrains, including rocky trails, snowfields, and river crossings. They must also contend with extreme weather conditions, as the race takes place in late June when temperatures in the canyons can soar well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).

Participants have a maximum of 30 hours to complete the course, with aid stations along the way providing food, water, and medical support. The race has strict cutoff times at certain checkpoints, and runners who do not meet these cutoffs are required to withdraw from the event.

Finishing the Western States 100 is considered a remarkable achievement in the ultrarunning community. The race has inspired the growth of numerous other endurance events and has become an iconic symbol of the sport.