The Western States Endurance Run

How to Qualify

Due to the cancellation of the 2008 event, and the carryover of those entrants to 2009, the 2009 Run was closed to new applicants. There was no lottery held for the 2009 event.

We will again accept new applicants starting with the 2010 Run, and the lottery for that event will take place on December 5, 2009.

Qualifying Standards

There are no age categories with regards to qualification for the WS Run. Qualifying time applies to all ages, 18 years of age and older. Standards apply to all running surfaces, roads and trails. Official qualifying events are as follows:

Official event, not a "fun run."
Must complete a registration form, pay an entry fee and sign a waiver.
Participants must wear bib numbers.
Race is accurately timed.
Distance is accurately measured.
Event must have an official website.
Results listed in UltraRunning Magazine.
First annual events must be pre-approved by WS as qualifying events.
12 or 24-hour track events must provide an accurate 50-mile or 100K official split time verified by the RD's printed name and signature.
To help verify whether a particular run qualifies, refer to Stan Jensen's Run100s Website. All of Stan's tracked events are WS qualifiers.

One of the following minimum times must be met and certified by official race results or a results listing in Ultrarunning Magazine:

a) 50 miles in under 11 hours

b) 100 kilometers in under 14 hours

c) completion of any OFFICIAL 100-mile trail race

d) completion of three 50-mile runs, completed within the cutoff times of those races, but in not more than 12 hours, and during the qualifying period.

2010 Qualification Information

The Run is June 26-27, 2010.

For all runners accepted into the 2010 WS100, the qualifying period begins on October 1, 2008 and ends on November 7, 2009.

Proof of Qualification (race results) can, in most cases, be established as part of the online application process. The online forms at UltraSignup.com will be made available to those selected in the December Lottery drawing and to others selected as "automatics."

For any race NOT listed by UltraSignup.com, Proof of Qualification must be submitted in hardcopy form with your name highlighted and MUST be received at the WS offices by December 31, 2009.

NOTE: Hardcopy Proof of Qualification is NOT a note to "go to such-and-such race website and look at the results." Only race results printed off of the qualifying race website (by you) are considered hardcopy "Proof of Qualification."

2010 Service Requirement Information

Eight hours of volunteer work is required from each participant prior to the event. The eight (8) hours of trail work or volunteering at an organized ultra marathon or run must occur between March 1, 2009 and May 15, 2010 and the Service Requirement Form (available on this site and also sent out with the acceptance packet) must be received by May 15, 2010. There will be no exceptions.

2011 Qualification Information

The Run is June 25-26, 2011.

All runners registering for the 2011 lottery must complete a qualifying run between October 1, 2009 and November 6, 2010.

NOTE: Hardcopy Proof of Qualification is NOT a note to "go to such-and-such race website and look at the results." Only race results printed off of the qualifying race website (by you) are considered hardcopy "Proof of Qualification."

2011 Service Requirement Information

Eight hours of volunteer work is required from each participant prior to the event. The eight (8) hours of trail work or volunteering at an organized ultra marathon or run must occur between March 1, 2010 and May 15, 2011 and the Service Requirement Form (also sent out with the acceptance packet) must be received by May 15, 2011. There will be no exceptions.

Western States Endurance Run, Inc.
2217 Ryedale Lane, Sacramento, CA 95835
Greg Soderlund, Run Director (916) 387-8796 or Send Email