The 53rd version of Western States 100, held in 2026, will look somewhat completely different: for the primary time, runners shall be allowed to make use of trekking poles and traction units corresponding to microspikes. The change comes after the race board voted final weekend to replace its long-standing rule prohibiting them, an adjustment that has been years within the making.
The board voted to vary considered one of our efficiency guidelines (#4) final weekend. Poles and traction units corresponding to microspikes are actually allowed.https://t.co/34NPAbavpV pic.twitter.com/LSJK6xnpvu
— Western States 100 (@wser) October 8, 2025
“It is a important replace and one which has been mentioned and debated internally for the final 10 years or so,” race director Craig Thornley informed Canadian Working. “Runner security and gear that didn’t exist—ski poles had been primarily the equal of at present’s trekking poles—are the drivers right here.”
A race of extremes
Western States 100 begins in Olympic Valley, Calif., and finishes 100.2 miles later in Auburn, Calif. The course climbs shut to five,500 metres by way of the Sierra Nevada earlier than dropping into scorching-hot canyons and rolling trails. Early within the race, runners typically deal with ice and snow after heavy winters, earlier than the path descends into sweltering warmth. It’s a course recognized for extremes—warmth, ice, altitude and chilly rivers all add problem.
Balancing custom and innovation
Thornley stated the replace strikes a stability between honouring the race’s heritage and acknowledging the game’s evolution. “Certainly one of our values is to set the usual for private problem and occasion group by embracing innovation whereas honoring custom,” he stated. “Working typically has seen enormous breakthroughs in gear and equipment up to now few years and the change is an acknowledgment of that.”
A typical development in mountain ultras
The transfer brings WSER nearer in keeping with different main ultras. UTMB, Canada’s Fats Canine 120 (starting in Keremeos, B.C.) and Sinister 7, held in Crowsnest Go, Alta., all allow them, and lots of runners depend on poles for lengthy ascents or steep, technical descents.
Thornley added that the choice additionally responds to runner suggestions: “Using each poles and traction units are requested by runners steadily, particularly throughout our heavy snow years, and it appeared just like the time was proper to make the change.”
