Inside Duncan Canyon: A Western States 100 Recap
By Mark, Founder & Head of Trail
What an amazing day, and what an unforgettable weekend.
Our journey to the Western States 100 Endurance Run started with a four-day cross-country trek from NYC to Truckee, California. We arrived on Thursday, giving us just enough time to settle in before the real adventure began.
We were assigned to volunteer at the Duncan Canyon Aid Station, which sits 24 miles into the legendary course. Getting there on Friday afternoon was an experience in itself. After an hour drive down to Auburn, we navigated back up a narrow, paved, windy road through the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking, but with no guard rails and sharp drop-offs right off the side of the road, it was definitely a white-knuckle drive.
We met most of the volunteer team on Friday, set up camp for the night, and to say that I was even remotely excited for what was in store would be a massive understatement.
The Elites: Speed and Precision at Mile 24
Saturday morning came early. Working alongside a team of experts who have been doing this for years, we had the entire aid station set up and ready in about 30 minutes.
With a 5:00 AM race start, word on the trail was that the first runner was expected by 8:15 AM. A little over three hours to cover 24 grueling miles. My excitement level was going through the roof.
Right on schedule, 24-year-old Hans Troyer came blazing through as the leader. He looked happy, strong, in great spirits, and was on track for a new course record. About seven minutes later, the chase pack rolled in: a legendary group including Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Hayden Hawks, Ryan Montgomery and so many more. Unfortunately, Hans dropped at Forest Hill, which I believe is around mile 67 or so as lack of nutrition took hold, from what I've heard. He was at one point 20 minutes ahead of course record set by Jim Walmsley. Both Jim and Killian dropped as well due to previous injuries.
Another hour or so later, the top elite women arrived—Jennifer Lichter, Riley Brady, Tara Dower, and Lotti Brinks. It was truly an incredible experience to watch their crews work. Western States allows runners to drop their old hydration pack and put on a new one that is already stocked. The speed and precision of these crews getting their runners back out on the trail was something to behold. In less than 10 seconds, runners down some nutrition, have the new pack put on and they are off.
The Work: Food, Ice, and Community
Because the elites had their own crews handling their nutritional needs, I was on general food duty, and my partner was on cooling duty.
Quick side note: The weather was unseasonably cool this year. Usually, the canyons act like a furnace, reaching well into the 90s, but this year highs stayed in the 70s and low 80s. We were all expecting some really fast times.
As the morning went on, groups of runners rolled in every few minutes. My job was to keep the food stocked, while my partner loaded bandanas with ice to keep the runners cool as they headed back out into the wilderness. Every single runner was giving everything they had, and I was just fortunate to help them along their journey.
We stayed until the very end. Only two runners didn’t meet the strict aid station cut-off time. It was heartbreaking, but we made sure to show them the exact same excitement and love that we gave to the first runner through. That is the magic of the trail community: 40+ complete strangers coming together on a Saturday morning to help push athletes toward the finish line.
The Finish Line and The Golden Hour
After we cleaned up Duncan Canyon, we headed back down to the finish line at the Placer High School track in Auburn. We watched course records shatter on both the men’s and women’s sides. The energy in that stadium was simply electrifying.
But one of the most incredible moments at Western States happens the following morning. It’s called the "Golden Hour." From 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Sunday, runners are fighting to cross the line before the ultimate 30-hour cut-off. These athletes are walking, power-hiking, and often bloodied from taking falls in the canyons. It truly exemplifies what this sport is all about. Massive crowds of people come back out specifically for this hour, cheering their absolute loudest for everyone who has left it all out there on the trail.
We already have plans to go back and volunteer again next year. We want to be there to cheer, yell, and serve everyone that comes through that aid station, because every runner is important, and every runner deserves to be treated like a champion, from the first one through to the very last.
Gear for Every Mile. Stories for Every Trail.
Pics: My partner/Head of Trail; Vincent Bouillard (Mens Winner and Course Record) and Jennifer Lichter (Womens Winner and Course Record)
