The 2021 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, held this past weekend, drew one of the most competitive fields of elite trail runners since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. Among the 315 starters were thirteen Team USA athletes who have represented the United States in Mountain, Ultra or Trail (MUT) World Championship competitions. Two of these talented runners – Camille Herron and Max King – have won multiple world championships and all have won medals to stand on the podium wearing red, white and blue. In addition to racing each other, runners would be fighting high temperatures of 101 degree Fahrenheit and blazing mountain sunshine which ultimately took out a third of the field; the highest DNF rate since 2009.
I interviewed several Team USA runners in the hours after they finished Western States to hear how they endured this trail running classic. See also my recent “pre race” interviews with these same trail runners “From World Championships to Western States Q/A With Past Team USA Athletes.”
Tim Tollefson climbs the ski area road (mile 2) during the 2021 Western States 100.
Tim Tollefson
Tim Tollefson (Mammoth Lakes, CA) was a member of Team USA at the 2015 Trail World Championships in Annecy, France where the men’s team won a silver medal. He’s won many competitive trail races including the 2014 USATF 50K Trail Championships, Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Javelina Jundred, Pioneer Spirit 50 Mile, FOURmidable 50K, Ultra-Trail Australia and twice finished 3rd at UTMB.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] How did the race unfold for you and did it go as expected?
[TIM TOLLEFSON] As the dust settles and initial disappointment of dreams unrealized fades, I’m walking away very proud of the effort my team and I gave out there.
[TAYTE] Could you share some race highlights with us? What are some of your best memories of the race?
[TIM] Overall, I had a wonderful time. Some unfortunate mistakes nutritionally early on led to a mid-race unraveling but even in those really tough moments – watching my race slip by while sitting tearfully at Cal-2 (mile 70) in and out of lucidity – I reminded myself that I was finally at Western States and how grateful I was to be right where I was.
[TAYTE] What was your favorite section of the course?
[TIM] My favorite moments were the early miles through the high country, traversing buttery single-track through mule’s ears, the support and kindness shared from the volunteers at each station, my wife Lindsay and my family who picked me up no matter how many times I fell, and the dream realized of finally completing Western States.
Matt Daniels climbs the Escarpment (mile 3) of the 2021 Western States 100.
Matt Daniels
A graduate of Adams State, Matt Daniels (Monument, CO) is a three-time member of Team USA including for the 2016 World Mountain Running Championships where he helped the men’s team to a gold medal. Matt has won many trail races including the Black Canyons 100K, Bears Ears 50K, Smith Rock Ascent and Flagline 50K. Matt also finished 4th at the 2019 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] How did the race unfold for you and did it go as expected?
[MATT DANIELS] The race didn’t go so well. Literally nothing went to plan. I felt pretty rough early on (around mile 8 to 10) and spent too much time trying to force a pace that wasn’t possible for that day. A health issue I’ve been battling with over the last year presented itself around mile 15, forcing me to a walk and ultimately DNF at Michigan Bluff (mile 55).
[TAYTE] Could you share some race highlights with us? What are some of your best memories of the race?
[MATT] The highlight of the day for me was the starting line. Being able to experience normalcy again in a race setting mixed with all the excitement and buzz around the race itself was truly something special.
[TAYTE] What was your favorite section of the course?
[MATT] My favorite section of the course was the climb to the top of the Escarpment. The sunrise was beautiful and the crowds up top were amazing.
Clare Gallagher winning the 2019 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.
Clare Gallagher
Clare Gallagher (Boulder, CO) was a member of women’s bronze medal winning team at the 2018 Trail World Championships in Castellón, Spain where she finished 8th. She won the 2019 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, 2019 Way Too Cool 50K and 2018 Sciacche Trail. Claire is also a writer, environmental advocate and Protect Our Winters (POW) Trail athlete.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] How did the race unfold for you and did it go as expected?
[CLARE GALLAGHER] It was hard! But I am happy to have gotten it done, which was my minimum goal. I feel grateful for all the support and feel bad for blowing up well-meaning folks’ prediction charts.
I felt strong at the beginning and have no regrets on how I went out. High country was fast, dry and quad wrecking without any snow to slow us down. I took an unlucky tumble around mile 33 on a knee I smashed this winter that kept me out for a month. From there it was a race of personal attrition. I stayed in it mentally until about Cal 2, but then couldn’t run downhill to save my life. The last 22 miles took almost 8 hours and I owe a lot of finishing to my pacers Eric and Mikey, my crew and the many volunteers. Without them, I could easily have thrown in the towel. Having a bad day was much more challenging than winning in 2019. It takes a lot of patience to finish on a bad day, and I’m happy to have gone through the grueling experience.
[TAYTE] Could you share some race highlights with us? What are some of your best memories of the race?
[CLARE] Chatting with my friend Addie Bracy in the high country amid balsamroot flowers and then of course getting doused by my crew at every aid. Such sweet relief. Also watching Ruth Croft take a swim at the bottom of the canyon before Devil’s thumb climb was epic — she is one badass gal.
[TAYTE] What was your favorite section of the course?
[CLARE] Always the high country: it’s rare we get to race in wilderness, as most races are not allowed at all in wilderness areas, but this being an old race I gather there is some precedence. It is quiet, wild and breathtaking up there. There are such gorgeous views of Granite Chief Wilderness and Tahoe National Forest.
Camille Herron at mile 98 of the 2021 Western States 100.
Camille Herron
Camille Herron (Alamosa , CO) has won world championships on the road at 50 km, 100 km and 24 Hours. She also holds seven worlds best times on the road and track from 50 miles to 24 hours. Camille has won many competitive trail races including the 2020 JFK 50 Mile, Black Canyon 100K, Tunnel Hill 100 Mile.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] How did the race unfold for you and did it go as expected?
[CAMILLE HERRON] This was my third time to start and first finish at Western States. I felt like I was better prepared to work at my own pace, work through each challenge, and keep going for my first finish. I’ve dealt with some lethargy lately that my coach and I are trying to troubleshoot. I felt I didn’t have my usual vigor to push myself. I had to take several extended rest breaks between miles 47 to 78, including three and a half hours of sleep at Rucky Chucky (78 miles). However, when I was running I was moving well. The last 22 miles was the best I felt during the whole race. All the support and positive energy from my crew is what kept me going. What a thrill to earn my first Western States belt buckle!
[TAYTE] Could you share some race highlights with us? What are some of your best memories of the race?
[CAMILLE] Reaching the top of the Escarpment and turning around to see the sunrise is always a treat! I loved watching Tayte Pollmann and Allie McLaughlin scale the climb up the Escarpment like true mountain goats taking video of us runners along the way! All the people at the aid stations were wonderful! completing my first Rucky Chucky river crossing and climbing the rope was refreshing. I enjoyed running seven miles with volunteer pacer Atlee Burpee after Rucky Chucky. I also loved cheering on the other runners during the final 22 miles. Running onto the track with my crew to the finish will always be one of my favorite lifetime memories!
[TAYTE] What was your favorite section of the course?
[CAMILLE] Rucky Chucky to the finish was the best I felt the whole race! I got my energy, gut, and restfulness back in balance and finally felt like I could run like myself. I knew I could get there. It was exciting chipping off the miles and cheering for other runners.
Max King cools of at Michigan Bluff aid station (mile 55) of the 2021 Western States 100.
Max King
A versatile runner with success on roads, trails and track, Max King (Bend, OR) won the 2014 IAU 100 km World Championships and 2011 World Mountain Running Championships. He won USATF national championships in the trail half marathon, trail marathon and 50 km. A graduate of Cornell University, Max has also won many well known trail races including the Way Too Cool 50K, JFK 50 Mile, Ultra Race of Champions (UROC), Chuckanut 50K and Ice Age Trail 50 Mile.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] How did the race unfold for you and did it go as expected?
[MAX KING] That race was definitely not what I expected. From the start I didn’t envision guys going off the front like that in the heat. I ran my own race but never felt really good. I was confident at about 50 miles that I would finish because my body was working well enough. I just didn’t count on the heat doing that to me. After Foresthill (mile 62), I started to overheat and wasn’t able to pull it back together. In the end, my quads were so blown, which caused me to DNF.
[TAYTE] Could you share some race highlights with us? What are some of your best memories of the race?
[MAX] The highlights of that race for me are running through the high country at sunrise. It’s just so peaceful and beautiful. Foresthill is also an amazing trip. Just seeing everyone out there was so exciting and pretty cool.
[TAYTE] What was your favorite section of the course?
[MAX] My favorite section would either be the high country or the three mile section just before Rucky Chucky. You’re running right along a wild section of the American river and it feels like a totally different world than the dry dusty one of the canyons. It’s pretty surreal.
2019 World Long Distance Mountain Running Champion Jim Walmsley won his 3rd Western States in 2021.
PRO TIP: From June 19th to 24th 2016, the American Trail Running Association partnered with the Google Maps team to capture 360 degree panoramic “street-view” imagery of the entire Western States Trail using the Street View Trekker backpack. You can view all 100 miles of this iconic course over on our Western States Trekker page.
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