When the gun went off at sunrise, the Western States 100 men’s field took off in a tight pack, showing few hints of the drama to come. By the time they crested the first ridge, 29-year-old Caleb Olson had already signaled his intent. He pushed the pace through the granite-strewn canyons, dropped American rival Chris Myers before mile 30, and never looked back.
Olson forded the American River at mile 78 looking calm and collected, according to an Instagram post, and crossed the finish line in 14 hours 11 minutes and 25 seconds. That time ranks among the fastest in race history and falls just two minutes shy of Jim Walmsley’s 2019 record. It also marks a remarkable second straight year in which Olson set a blazing debut time at WSER—after his lightning performance in 2024—and underscores his emergence as a force at the pinnacle of ultra distance running.
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Myers, also 29, matched Olson’s performance with his own career best. He held onto second place in 14 hours 17 minutes and 39 seconds, shaving an hour off his 2024 effort. His steady pace and ability to respond to Olson’s early surge earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium.
All eyes had been on Kilian Jornet, returning to Western States 14 years after his first victory. Despite carrying questions about his fitness and the absence of Jim Walmsley, who withdrew five weeks earlier with a knee injury, Jornet delivered a master class in pacing and resilience. He claimed third in 14 hours 19 minutes and 22 seconds—more than an hour faster than his winning time in 2011. In a post-race message he reflected on the sport’s evolution: running 1 hour 15 minutes faster than his first win still wasn’t enough in 2025.
The course claimed its share of casualties. David Roche, fresh off a Leadville 100 record and a Javelina Jundred victory, bowed out at Foresthill after battling oppressive heat for roughly 10 hours. Vincent Bouillard, last year’s UTMB surprise podium finisher, lasted nearly 14 hours before withdrawing at Green Gate. Their early exits are a reminder that on this demanding 100-mile trail, experience and ambition can be undone by a single misstep or an unexpected spike in temperature.
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Temperatures climbed into the 90s, making high-snow passes and sunbaked canyons equally treacherous. Runners crossed the American River on foot— gripping a rope rather than trusting a raft—thanks to lower water levels. Race officials praised the athletes’ grit and the swift evacuation protocols that kept everyone safe despite the heat.
The Western States 100 once again lived up to its reputation as the arena where legends rise and hopes can melt under the early summer sun. Tonight, as recovery shakes and sore muscles settle in, the trail community will toast Olson’s ascent and steel themselves for next year’s unpredictable battle.
