Jim Walmsley cools Western States record talk and plans steady pace after 2017 burnout in brutal California heat
The famous American ultrarunner has learned lessons from the past and now just wants to improve his 100-mile times
Jim Walmsley plans to go slow and steady at the Western States (WS100) ultra marathon in California, having blown up in the sapping heat last year when chasing the record.
“I still think this year I won’t be far from it [the record],” Walmsley told the South China Morning Post. “I am trying to be more conservative, but if there is a special day or special effort than I’ll have to go for it in the end.”
For two years now, Walmsley’s public declaration that he will not only try and break the famous 100-mile (161-kilometre) course record but trim more than 45 minutes off it has bought him massive attention.
But on the American runner’s 2016 attempt a wrong turn ruined his chances and in 2017 he failed to pace himself correctly in hot conditions.
The current record is held by American Timothy Olson, set in 2012 at 14 hours, 46 minutes and 44 seconds.