2026 Western States Recap: Records, Record Crowds, and the Sphere of Influence

Carrie Meng and John Trent recap the historic 53rd running of the Western States Endurance Run, from flag raising at Emigrant Pass to the Golden Hour finish. They break down the numbers behind the fastest Western States ever — Vincent Bouillard's sub-14-hour men's course record and Jennifer Lichter's women's course record in her 100-mile debut — plus the third-coldest, arguably best-ever race conditions and a record 87% finishing rate. They also dig into what it took behind the scenes: record...