The Heart of the Run: Highlighting Volunteers & Important Race Updates

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.