Jim Walmsley reflects on Western States 100 record-breaking run as ‘it doesn’t feel like an accident’

The American runner breaks the record for the second year in a row, despite ‘feeling slow’ for the first section

He is now dreaming of Comrades in South Africa, with an Olympic qualifying marathon in between

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Jim Walmsley sets the Western States record in 2018. Winning it again in 2019 and breaking his own record cements his place in the race’s history. Photo: Hoka One One

Published: 2:14pm, 3 Jul 2019Updated: 3:08pm, 3 Jul 2019

Breaking the record at the famous Western States 100-mile (WSER 100, 161km) ultramarathon in 2018 was not enough for Jim Walmsley, as he believes multiple WSER 100 wins cement a runner’s place in history. On Saturday, Walmsley won again, shattering his own record by 20 minutes.

“It feels like it is not an accident. It feels pretty good,” he said. “To be able to back up a year like last year makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

He finished in 14 hours, nine minutes and 28 seconds.

WSER 100 is one of the most prestigious trail races in the world. It takes place in California, starting in Squaw Valley and descending through runnable, but hot, canyons, to Auburn.

Listen: The Adventure Trail podcast with Jim Walmsley

In 2016 and 2017, Walmsley entered the race, publicly declaring his intention to win. He looked set to break the record on his first attempt, but a wrong turn cost him time. He might still have finished high up the rankings, but he felt the mental stress generated by his mistake got to him and he went on to finish outside the top 10.

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