The eagerly awaited lottery for entry into the 2025 Western States 100 took place on December 7, 2024.
The iconic race follows the Western States Trail for 100 miles, climbing 18,000 feet and descending 22,000, on a net downhill route through California’s Sierra Nevada. Although the last couple of editions have seen cooler temperatures than usual, with a lot of snow in the high country for the 2023 race, it has traditionally been known for scorching hot conditions.
The ultimate bucket list race, it appeals to both elites and dedicated hobby runners the world over, with the lottery for 2025 receiving 9,994 applicants for a total of 369 places on the start line. Of those 369 places, some are filled in advance. There are a number of other avenues for elites to gain access to the race, including through a Golden Ticket Race, or a top 10 placing in the previous year’s Western States 100.
In this article, we break down the top runners who are now entered for the 2025 race, and we will keep updating the article as more speedy folks gain entries.
Here’s the list of runners chosen in the 2025 Western States 100 lottery — including the waitlist — and here’s the current entrants list.
The start of the 2024 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Women’s Top-10 Returnees for the 2025 Western States 100
The top 10 women in the 2024 race were invited to return for 2025. All but reigning champion Katie Schide and fifth-place Yngvild Kaspersen (Norway) have claimed their entries.
- Katie Schide — 15:46:57 (pre-race and post-race interviews)
- Fu-Zhao Xiang (China) — 16:20:03 (pre-race and post-race interviews)
- Eszter Csillag (Hungary) — 16:42:17 (pre-race and post-race interviews)
- Emily Hawgood (Zimbabwe) — 16:48:43 (pre-race interview)
- Yngvild Kaspersen (Norway) — 16:50:39
- Ida Nilsson (Sweden) — 16:56:52 (pre-race interview)
- Heather Jackson — 17:16:43
- Rachel Drake — 17:28:35
- Priscilla Forgie (Canada) — 17:30:24
- Leah Yingling — 17:33:54
Fu-Zhao Xiang cruising through Robinson Flat at the 2024 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Men’s Top-10 Returnees for the 2025 Western States 100
The top 10 men from the 2024 race were invited to return for 2025. All but seventh-place Tyler Green have claimed their entries.
- Jim Walmsley — 14:13:45 (pre-race and post-race interviews)
- Rod Farvard — 14:24:15 (post-race interview)
- Hayden Hawks — 14:24:31 (pre-race and post-race interviews)
- Dan Jones (New Zealand) — 14:32:29 (pre-race interview)
- Caleb Olson — 14:40:12
- Jon Albon (U.K.) — 14:57:01 (pre-race interview)
Tyler Green — 15:05:39(pre-race interview)- Jia-Sheng Shen (China) — 15:09:49 (pre-race interview)
- Jonathan Rea — 15:13:10
- Chris Myers — 15:18:25
Jim Walmsley at mile 94 of the 2024 Western States 100, on his way to winning the race. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Golden Ticket Races Entrants for the 2025 Western States 100
For 2025, there are six Golden Ticket Races awarding entries into the Western States 100 for top finishers. Of these, three races – Javelina 100 Mile, Tarawera 100k, and Chianti Ultra Trail 120k – will award entries to the top two men and women; while the CCC, Black Canyon 100k, and Canyons 100k will offer places to the top three men and women. In any case where a runner who finishes in a qualifying position turns down the Golden Ticket, or is already entered in Western States, the spot will fall to the next available finisher, as far as sixth place.
Here’s who’s gotten those Golden Tickets so far:
Women
- Hannah Allgood – Javelina 100 Mile
- Riley Brady – Javelina 100 Mile
- Rosanna Buchauer (Germany) – CCC
- Hậu Hà (Vietnam) – CCC
- Martyna Młynarczyk (Poland) – CCC
[Editor’s Note: Riley Brady identifies as non-binary, and competes in the women’s category.]
The 2024 CCC women’s podium (left-to-right): 2. Martyna Młynarczyk, 1. Toni McCann, 3. Rosanna Buchauer. Photo: UTMB
Men
- Peter Fraňo (Slovakia) – CCC
- Jeff Mogavero – Javelina 100 Mile
- Adam Peterman – CCC
- David Roche – Javelina 100 Mile
- Huo-Hua Zhang (China) – CCC
Adam Peterman wins the 2022 Western States 100 in his first effort at the 100-mile distance. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Finally, here is the whole Golden Ticket series schedule:
- August 30, 2024 — CCC (France, Italy, Switzerland)
- October 26, 2024 — Javelina 100 Mile (Arizona, U.S.)
- February 8, 2025 — Black Canyon 100k (Arizona, U.S.)
- February 15, 2025 — Tarawera 100k (New Zealand)
- March 22, 2025 — Chianti Ultra Trail 120k (Italy)
- April 26, 2025 — Canyons 100k (California, U.S.)
Fast Runners with Other Automatic Entries to the 2025 Western States 100
Every year, a number of runners gain entry into the race via one of the pre-lottery auto-entry methods. Below are some fast men and women who secured entries in this manner. We’ve added in parentheses the avenue by which they secured their entry, if we know it.
Women
- Jaclyn Foroughi (Special Consideration) – 2nd 2023 & 2024 Rocky Racoon 100 Mile; 7th 2023 Javelina 100 Mile; 1st 2023 Quicksilver 100k
- Cindy Shepard (Sponsor) – 10th 2024 Gorge Waterfalls 100k; 3rd 2024 Mountain Lakes 100 Mile; 2nd 2024 Mesquite Canyon 50 Mile
- Amber Weibel (Raffle) – 9th 2024 Hardrock 100; 3rd 2023 SwissAlps 100 Mile; 15th 2022 Western States 100
Men
- Jeff Browning (Sponsor) – 1st 2018, 5th 2022, & 2023 Hardrock 100; 1st 2021 Mogollon Monster 100 Mile; 1st 2019 Bear 100 Mile
- Galen Farris (Raffle) – 5th 2024 Cuyamaca 100k; 7th 2024 American River 50 Mile; 28th 2013 Western States 100
- Eddy Healey (U.K.) (Raffle) – 2nd 2024 Sedona Canyons 125 Mile; 14th 2021 Waldo 100k; 5th 2022 South Devon 54k
- Haroldas Subertas (Race Admin) – 1st 2024 Cocodona 250 Mile; 8th 2023 Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile; 1st 2021 Sangre de Cristo Ultras 200 Mile
Jeff Browning crossing the Western States finish line with his kids in 2017. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Top Lottery Entrants for the 2025 Western States 100
During the lottery, 257 names were drawn. The following women and men from the lottery could feature near the front of the race.
Women
- Shea Aquilano – 3rd 2022 JFK 50 Mile; 7th 2023 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile; 11th 2024 Canyons 100k
- Claire Bannwarth (France) – 18th 2024 & 16th 2023 UTMB; 1st 2024 Winter Spine Race; 1st 2023 Kodiak 100 Mile
- Liz Canty – 8th 2024 High Lonesome 100 Mile; 3rd 2023 Never Summer 100k; 1st 2023 Ram Party 50 Mile
- Tara Fraga – 1st 2024 Transgrancanaria 83k; 9th 2023 CCC; 5th 2023 Lake Sonoma 50 Mile
- Melissa Ostaszewski – 1st 2024 Saddles 50 Mile; 5th 2024 Wasatch Front 100 Mile; 1st 2021 Across the Years 24 Hour
Men
- Cedric Chavet (France) – 9th 2023 Diagonale des Fous; 2nd 2023 Ultra-Trail Harricana 123k; 6th 2023 Transgrancanaria
- Fabio Di Giacomo (Italy) – 7th 2024 Canyons 100 Mile; 3rd 2024 Big Rock Morenic 100 Mile
- Johann Obermüller (Germany) – 13th 2024 Lavaredo Ultra Trail; 4th 2024 KAT100 84k; 14th 2023 TDS
- Drew Miller – 4th 2024 Grindstone 100k; 4th 2021 Burning River 100 Mile; 13th 2023 Canyons 100k
Claire Bannwarth (left) and Annie Hughes share early miles in the 2023 Hardrock 100. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Top Waitlist Entrants for the 2025 Western States 100
Further to those selected in the lottery, 75 more runners were selected for the waitlist. The following fast women and men made it on the waitlist.
Women
- Sarah Ostaszewski (49th) – 3rd 2024 High Lonesome 100 Mile; 1st 2024 Cruel Jewel 100 Mile; 1st 2023 Cocodona 250 Mile
Men
- Ricki Wynne (Ireland) (38th) – 21st 2024 TDS; 10th 2024 Istria 110k; 8th 2022 Kullamannen 100k
Call for Comments
- Did you enter the lottery for the 2025 Western States 100? If so, any joy?
- Who do you think will be at the front of the men’s and women’s races?
