After a one-year hiatus due to fires, the world’s most prestigious 100-mile trail event returns deeper and better than ever.

The Western States 100-mile Endurance Run returns on June 27, 2009, when more than 400 athletes from around the world toe the starting line in Squaw Valley, CA. Their journey will finish following 100 miles of running and more than 40,000 feet of climbing and descending through the Sierra and the California Gold Country at the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn, CA.

This year’s Western States 100 marks the return of the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail running event. In 2008, only days before runners were prepared to start in Squaw Valley, the 35th annual run was cancelled due to severe smoke and major fire that had been sparked by a series of Northern California lightning strikes. The cancellation was the first in race history.

A year’s hiatus, however, has ensured that this year’s event has become even more eagerly anticipated. A year off has also helped make an already deep and talented field that much stronger. Due to the race’s partnership with Montrail and the Montrail Cup (a series of top-level ultra events held throughout the country where the top-three finishers earn a coveted spot in Western States), the field now has two full years of Montrail Cup qualifiers, as well as many of the runners who finished in the top 10 in 2007.

 “It’s an embarrassment of riches, it really is,” said race director Greg Soderlund. “From a competitive standpoint, this could be one of the deepest and accomplished starting fields we’ve ever had. We’ve had a number of memorable runs over the years, but I can’t recall more pre-race buzz than this year. It’s anybody’s guess who will win.”

Soderlund added that the trail, even with last year’s fires which came precipitously close to several points of the historic course, is in excellent shape following a productive spring trail maintenance season led by Western States board member Mark Falcone.

“Mark and his crew of volunteers have done an amazing job,” Soderlund said. “All of the fallen trees in the high country have been removed, and the work crews have made the Duncan Canyon creek area much easier to negotiate. There were also a number of improvements made in 2008 on the latter stages of the course that I’m sure the runners this year are going to appreciate. Overall, the course is in phenomenal shape.”

In the men’s race, Scott Jurek, the seven-time men’s champion and current course record holder, will be making his Western States return. Jurek, 35, of Seattle, Wash., won the race a record seven times from 1999-2005 before deciding to pursue other ultra events for a few years. Jurek, who has never lost at Western States, will be pressed by an incredibly deep field. One of the runners challenging Jurek’s streak is Dave Mackey of Boulder, CO. Mackey, one of the world’s finest adventure racers, waged a tense, tight duel with Jurek in 2004 – the year Jurek went on to set the course record of 15 hours and 36 minutes. Mackey, after courageously battling Jurek for most of the race in his debut at 100 miles, held on for second in 16:40. Other top contenders include 2007 men’s champion Hal Koerner of Ashland, OR; 2007 men’s runner-up Erik Skaden of Folsom, CA; and 2006 men’s champion Graham Cooper of Oakland, CA.

In the women’s race, Nikki Kimball, 38, of Bozeman, MT, is another champion whose Western States portfolio is among the best in race history. Kimball is a three-time champion (2004, 2006, 2007), who, like Jurek, has never lost at Western States. Kimball will be challenged by a host of talented and accomplished women’s runners. Beverley Anderson-Abbs, 45, of Red Bluff, CA, has been women’s runner-up for three straight races, 2005-2007 Krissy Moehl of Seattle, WA, was the fourth-place finisher at Western States in 2005 and has since had several impressive victories, including a remarkable sub-30-hour finish in setting the course record at the difficult Hardrock 100-miler in Silverton, CO, in 2007. Jenn Shelton, 25, of Ashland, OR, is a Western States rookie who has had several runs of note in a young ultra career, including her course record of 14:57 in 2007 at the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Huntsville, TX. Anita Ortiz, of Eagle, CO, has had a strong spring, including a second-place finish at the ultra-competitive Miwok 100K in Marin County in May.

WHAT: Western States 100-mile Endurance Run
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 2009, 5 a.m. start at Squaw Valley, CA, finish at Placer High School, Auburn, CA. Over 400 trail runners from 14 countries and 38 states to compete.

Photos by Kurt Bertilson