Spirit of Western States

Over 11,000 runners entered last year’s Western States lottery, holding more than 93,000 tickets. How did it get this competitive, and how do you make sure your entry counts?

Carrie and co-host John Trent sit down with longtime Western States board member and qualifying-race guru John “Tropical John” Medinger to cover the lottery from start to finish. They trace its history, from the 250-runner cap in 1980 to the first lottery in 1981, the days of “buddy” entries and automatic spots for two-time losers, and the 2012–13 switch from 50-mile to 100K qualifiers.

Tropical John explains how races earn qualifier status: at least 100 finishers, mostly dirt, 100K minimum, and 2,500m of climbing for anything under 100 miles. He also covers how cutoff times are set (roughly double the winning time) and how the team handles races shortened by weather or wildfire.

Carrie closes with the most common questions from the lottery inbox:

• Dates: The qualifying window ends November 8. Lottery registration runs November 1–21.
• No early advantage: Registering on day one doesn’t earn extra tickets.
• You must enter: Nobody is auto-enrolled, so log in and click “enter lottery.”
• Match your name: Your portal name should match your race results.
• Don’t make a new account: If you’ve lost access to your email, contact [email protected] instead.
• Lottery day: It’s December 5 at Placer High, with a new overflow room. No dogs allowed on campus.

Carrie and John kick off Year Two of the Spirit of Western States podcast with a first-hand recap of UTMB week in Chamonix — Carrie's experience running OCC, the operational details behind Europe's biggest trail race, and the CCC Golden Ticket results as top finishers decide whether to accept their spots at Western States 2027. They also cover progress on the four-year Granite Chief trail reroute, break down exactly how the WSER lottery works ahead of November registration, and reflect on race-day safety and the importance of CPR after Jeff Browning's medical emergency at TDS.

Carrie Meng and John Trent recap the historic 53rd running of the Western States Endurance Run, from flag raising at Emigrant Pass to the Golden Hour finish. They break down the numbers behind the fastest Western States ever — Vincent Bouillard's sub-14-hour men's course record and Jennifer Lichter's women's course record in her 100-mile debut — plus the third-coldest, arguably best-ever race conditions and a record 87% finishing rate. They also dig into what it took behind the scenes: record media turnout, new crowd-control measures at Foresthill, managing an ever-growing spectator "sphere of influence" around the elites, and the emotional moments that stick with volunteers, like a heartbreaking cutoff decision and a board member so busy congratulating finishers he nearly missed his own buckle. The episode wraps with what's next: Granite Chief Wilderness trail work weekends, qualifying-race updates for 2027/2028, and a preview of December's lottery weekend.

Three weeks out from the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, Assistant Race Director Carrie Meng and board member John Trent dive deep into everything crews and pacers need to know before race day. They kick things off with a look back at the origins of crewing and pacing — all the way to Gordy Ainslie's first unofficial run in 1974 — and share memorable stories from board members Mo Livermore and Charles Savage that capture the unpredictable, adventure-filled spirit of Western States. Carrie's own crew from her 2025 finish weighs in with practical tips on parking, shuttles, GPS coordinates, and keeping yourself together so your runner doesn't have to. John reflects on eleven finishes and the role his family has played every step of the way. The episode wraps with a full rundown of official crew and pacer rules, reminders about the Thursday crew briefing, medical research recruitment, and a reminder that at the end of the day — this is a run, not just a race. Take it all in.

With eight weeks until the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, Carrie Meng is joined by John Trent and special guest Race Director Craig Thornley for a packed update.

The crew shares advice for runners in this critical training stretch — heat prep, quad work, long-run nutrition, and how to push without breaking down. Craig recaps the Canyons 100K Golden Ticket race, including Adam Peterman's win, Zach Miller & Hayden Hawks's gritty finish, and the chain of events that sent Riley Brady, Sarah Humble, and Ellaney Matarese to Auburn on the women's side.

They also cover key 2025 pacer rule changes, trail work progress including the final year of the Granite Chief reroute, course conditions, and waitlist movement.

Plus the headline: four-time champion and course record holder Jim Walmsley is returning to Western States in 2026  joining an already historic men's field.

Episode 4: Spring Updates & The Road to Western States

Welcome back to The Spirit of Western States, the official podcast of the world’s oldest and most iconic 100-mile trail race. In this episode, Assistant Race Director Carrie Meng and Board Member John Trent shake off the "lost month" of March to bring you a packed agenda of essential race updates.

As the calendar turns to April, the energy is ramping up for the Western States Endurance Run. We’re diving deep into the logistics and community highlights that make this race legendary, covering everything from volunteer recognition to technical race changes.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Volunteer Awards: Celebrating the heart and soul of the trail.
• The Pole Debate: An update on the rules regarding trekking poles at WS.
• Chianti Golden Tickets: Recapping the latest qualifiers from across the pond.
• Racer Logistics: Vital info on the pacer portal, general info forms, and medical conference details.
• Behind the Scenes: Media credentials, trailwork and more.

Whether you're a runner, a pacer, or a fan of the sport, join us for an inside look at the preparations for this year's trek from Olympic Valley to Auburn.

In this episode, we break down the excitement from last weekend's double Golden Ticket races, where 10 coveted automatic entries to the Western States 100 were handed out. We dive into the results, standout performances, and what it took to earn those golden tickets on a high-stakes weekend.

We then take a step back to explore the origins and evolution of the Golden Ticket system—its when, how, and why it was created to give elite ultrarunners a direct path into the world's oldest 100-mile trail race, bypassing the traditional lottery.

Plus, we share the latest organizational updates from the Western States Endurance Run team, including:

• Volunteering opportunities at WS
• Current snow levels on the course
• Ongoing trail work progress

We also look ahead to key upcoming events: details on the Western States Medical Conference and the ever-popular Training Run Weekend (Memorial Day), where runners get a chance to experience sections of the iconic course firsthand.

Whether you're chasing a ticket, crewing, volunteering, or just passionate about ultrarunning history and logistics, this episode has you covered.

Tune in for insights, updates, and the latest from the Western States world!

Aid stations are the heartbeat of the Western States Endurance Run. In this episode of the Western States Podcast, we dive into the history of aid stations and the critical role they’ve played in shaping the race since its earliest days. From the evolution of aid station operations to the leadership of aid station captains, we explore what it takes to keep runners moving safely through the canyons and high country.

We’ll talk about the responsibilities of aid station captains, the coordination behind the scenes, and the incredible volunteer effort that powers race day. Most importantly, we’ll hear why people continue to show up year after year — the sense of community, purpose, and tradition that makes volunteering at Western States so meaningful. This episode is a tribute to the people who make the race possible and the enduring spirit of service at the heart of Western States.

Welcome to our very first episode! John Trent and Carrie Meng sit down to talk all things Western States, including the opening of lottery registration for the 53rd running. We chat about how the lottery came to be, the story behind the iconic 369-runner field size, and some noteworthy updates starting in 2026.

This was recorded in November, 2025. 

We dive into all of the details and behind scenes planning of the Western States Lottery held this past Saturday, December 6.