Ultra · Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, United States
Western States 100
What Western States 100 demands, pillar by pillar, and when to start training each one.
- Distance
- 161.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 5,514 m
- Descent
- 7,001 m
- High point
- 2,667 m
- Typical date
- Last full weekend of June, Saturday 5:00 am start, 30 hour limit
- Next edition
- Jun 26, 2027 (date TBC)
- Typical high
- 32°C
- Humidity
- Dry Sierra and foothill heat; the official weather table doesn't record humidity. Course temps range from -7°C to above 43°C (official). Auburn average high about 32°C, low about 15°C.
- Terrain
- Point-to-point mountain trail from Olympic Valley (1,890 m) to Auburn: high country early, then deep, hot canyons, a river ford at mile 78 and runnable trail to the finish. Almost half may be run at night.
What this race demands
- HeatHighAuburn's average high on race weekend is about 32°C (32°C), and course temps can top 43°C.
- GutHighat Western States, 96% of surveyed runners had at least one GI symptom, and 36% of dropouts named GI trouble, mostly nausea (Stuempfle and Hoffman 2015).
- TerrainHighabout 5,514 m of climbing and 7,001 m of descent.
- DurabilityHigh30 hour limit.
- PacingHighthe opening climb and high country come before the hottest miles, so early effort costs you later.
- TaperHighultra taper, final 3 weeks (from Jun 5, 2027).
- HydrationHighdry stretches of over 8 miles between aid, in canyon heat.
When to train each part
Weeks counting back from race day. Tap or hover a row for its window.
Key course sections
km · m
- 1
Miles 0 to 4.5: 777 m climb from Olympic Valley to Emigrant Pass (2,667 m), the high point
- 2
Miles 43.3 to 55.7: the canyons, Last Chance to Devil's Thumb, El Dorado Creek and Michigan Bluff, where heat slows pace most
- 3
Miles 62 to 78: Foresthill along the Cal Street trail to the American River ford at Rucky Chucky
- 4
Miles 94.3 to 100.2: down to the lowest point (about 162 m) near mile 96.6, then about 232 m of climbing past Robie Point to the Placer High School track (approximate, from the official GPX)
Race-day weather history
- 2026 (Jun 27): Auburn high 23°C, low 13°C, 87.0% finished
- 2025 (Jun 28): Auburn high 35°C, low 21°C, 77.2% finished
- 2024 (Jun 29): Auburn high 34°C, low 17°C, 76.3% finished
- 2023 (Jun 24): Auburn high 27°C, low 11°C, 86.5% finished
- 2022 (Jun 25): Auburn high 36°C, low 21°C, 79.6% finished
- 2021 (Jun 26): Auburn high 38°C, low 23°C, 66.0% finished
Line at 80°F (26.7°C), where heat starts to slow most runners. Highs in °C.
Full weather notes are listed above.
Forecast: No forecast yet: the race is in late June 2027 and reliable forecasts start about 14 days out.
Questions runners ask
How hot is Western States?
Auburn's average high on race weekend is about 32°C, and the race says course temps can range from -7°C to above 43°C, with the canyons usually the hottest part.
How much elevation gain is Western States?
About 5,514 m of climbing and 7,001 m of descent, per the official course description, with a high point of 2,667 m at Emigrant Pass.
When is Western States 2027?
The race runs on the last full weekend of June, which points to June 26 and 27, 2027. Confirm on wser.org. It starts at 5:00 am with a 30 hour limit.
When should I start heat training for Western States?
About 6 weeks out, so mid May 2027 for a June 26 race. Keep regular heat sessions until 2 weeks out, then maintain to race day.
How do I get into Western States?
Most runners enter through the lottery after finishing a qualifying race. Check wser.org for the current qualifying list and lottery dates.
Sources
- Official course description (start 6,200 ft, Emigrant Pass 8,750 ft, gain 2,550 + 15,540 ft, descent 22,970 ft, 20 to 110°F, river ford mile 78)
- Official aid stations (mile markers, 30 hour pace, cutoffs)
- Official race week agenda (5:00 am start, Emigrant Pass high point)
- Weather (Auburn race-day highs and lows, average high about 89°F, from Weather Underground)
- Secondary, 2027 dates listing
- Race-day weather history: official WSER weather table (Auburn, from Weather Underground)
Know if you're ready for Western States 100
Check your readiness for Western States 100Raceproof isn't affiliated with Western States 100. Course details are approximate; check the official race site. Raceproof is not medical advice.