Top 6 Athletes at Western States 2024

Known as the oldest 100-mile race in the world, the Western States Endurance run is seen as the pinnacle of ultrarunning, with many elites flocking to try and reign supreme on the Californian trails. 

What began as a horse trail has grown into an incredible experience of technical trails in this point-to-point race. The route has only seen minor changes in the almost 70 years since its inception. 

>>> History of the Western States 

Jim Walmsley

@walmsleyruns

Jim Walmsley, a Western States legend, is an American endurance athlete. He is the current record holder of the Western States 100 male course (14:09:28), a record he set in 2019. 

He is a four-time finisher of the Western States Endurance Run; however, he has made a name for himself in American running, becoming the first American man to win the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in 2023. 

Walmsley’s success is not a stroke of luck, but a result of his hard work and dedication. He also owns several FKT’s and has been named UltraRunner of the Year for four years in a row – 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. His consistent performance is a testament to his commitment to the sport. 

Katie Schide 

@katieschide

Born in Maine, USA, Katie is an exceptional ultrarunner. She has blazed her way through some of the world’s most challenging races and come out on top. She completed the Western States once before (2023), coming second to Courtney Dauwalter. 

The North Face athlete Katie also took the first female position at the 2022 UTMB (23:15:12). She has won several races, including the Transrockies Run, Madeira Ultra 85km, the 90K Mont-Blanc, Swiss alpine Marathon and Trail du Ventoux.

Jonathan Albon 

@jonalbon

British Athlete Jon Albon is a force to be reckoned with this year. Now based in Norway, Jon has several incredible wins under his belt, including the OCC at UTMB (2021) and the Trail World Championships (2019). He has twice won the final ranking of the Sky Extreme Series and has once been the overall winner of the Skyrunner World Series. 

“I think with a lot of races I’ve done before when I go back, I feel like there’s this expectation for me to win and do well, and I have an expectation on myself. But this is like a new challenge. It’s completely different. I’m not the favourite. I get to go there and to have a bit of an experiment, see how I go, and hopefully give Jim a good race.”

>>> Jon Albon: Transvulcania to Western States

Eleanor ‘Elsey’ Davis

@elseydavis

Born and raised in Britain, British athlete Elsey Davis succeeded in British running and has since become a household name among ultrarunning enthusiasts. 

Originally a marathon runner, she ran a 2:24:29 time at the 2015 London Marathon and a 2:33:24 PB at the Valencia marathon. She is the current record holder for the Mid-Winter Bob Graham Round and has performed exceptionally well with strong performances at Ultra Sierra Nevada and Transgrancanairia. 

Shen Jiasheng

@shen.jiasheng

Chinese athlete Shen Jiasheng has made a name for himself across the global discourse of ultramarathons. He came second at the CCC by UTMB in 2023 (10:22:30) and fifth at the 2024 Transgrancaria (14:04:40).

He is no stranger to the Western States, having come fourth at the 2023 edition (15:19:42). 

Eszter Csillag

@eszter.csillag

Hungarian athlete Eszter came 3rd at the 2023 Western States and has many incredible races under her belt, including the Translantu, 5th female at UTMB 2022, 5th at Transgrancanaria 2022 and IZU Trail Journey 2023.

Full List of entrants: https://www.wser.org/2024-entrants-list/ 

Jim Walmsley (14:09:28) and Courtney Dauwalter (15:29:33) hold the current course records.