Western States Endurance Run
Olympic Valley, United States • 27 Jun 2026
Western States Endurance Run
The Western States Endurance Run is described as the world’s oldest 100 mile trail race. The 2026 running is scheduled for June 27 to 28, 2026. The Run begins in Olympic Valley, California, and finishes 100.2 miles later at Placer High School in Auburn, California.
The course traverses the traditional lands of the Nisenan, Washoe, and other neighboring Indigenous Peoples. Runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet along a route that passes Emigrant Pass, the Granite Chief Wilderness, and canyons of California gold country. The route includes a crossing of the Middle Fork of the American River and historic trails approaching Auburn.
The event has been held since 1974 and includes time-based awards in the form of a silver belt buckle for a sub 24 hour finish and a bronze belt buckle for a sub 30 hour finish. More than 1,500 volunteers support the Run and a range of organizational partners and sponsors are listed.
The organization also reports ongoing trail stewardship projects. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Western States Trail Foundation, a Granite Chief Wilderness trail reroute aims to create over seven miles of new and rehabilitated trail, with portions expected to open in 2026 and the remainder later. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.