Dear Craig,

June is here and the race is only 17 days away! Whether you are already in your taper or about to begin it, my hope is you can enjoy these last weeks knowing that you've done the work. This is your June Runner Update email. I will send one more update out a few days before the race and will disseminate any last minute information at the pre-race briefing on Friday.

Race Week Agenda

The race week agenda has been finalized. We'll kick off the activities on Thursday up at Palisades Tahoe with our Pre-Race Interview Show with Dylan Bowman and Corrine Malcolm at 10:00 am, followed by informative clinics including the popular "Crewing A Western States Runner." Friday includes the HOKA High Camp Challenge for your crew and pacers (or you if your name is Mike Wardian), drop bag delivery, pacer and runner bib pickup, and ending with the Race Briefing at 2:00 pm.

Click here for the compete agenda with more details.

General Information Form

Before you get to Palisades I would like to remind you to fill out the general information form on our portal. This is your opportunity to let the running world know a little bit about you, and also to thank your crew, pacers, friends and your long-suffering spouse and family members. Try to be reasonably brief if you can, especially if you might finish in the last couple of hours when you will probably be sharing the track with other runners. We will use this information to say something about you as you finish at the Placer High School track and on the live webcast.

To fill out the form, go to portal.wser.org and login, then click on the link to Runners General Information.

Live Broadcast Bio & Video

In addition to the above, if you would like to possibly be mentioned and featured during the annual WSER broadcast, please fill out this form and/or submit your video and tell us about yourself. The race will be covered live for the entire 30 hours on our Youtube channel and watched by thousands of people around the world. Please don't be shy.

Course Update

As we've previously told you, we had a relatively normal snow year. Because of that and the hot weather we're currently having (it's 97 F in Auburn as I type this) I don't expect snow to be an issue at all this year. There may be a few short sections in the high country but it won't be anything to concern yourself with.

River Crossing

With the normal snowpack and the current melt rate, we will be able to withhold water at an upstream dam which will allow us to cross the American River at mile 78 via rope strung across the river. This is one of the unique features of Western States and will be something you'll likely remember. There will be volunteers standing in the water ensuring your safe passage across the river. You will be required to don a personal flotation device (pfd) before entering the water. Make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the volunteers and hold onto the rope! The full service aid station with medical support and crew access is on the near side. Your drop bags will be on the far side.

USADA Anti-Doping Education (2nd chance)

For anyone who missed the USADA WSER webinar, we have coupon codes for USADA's Clean Sport 101 Course (https://education.usada.org/product/clean-sport-101-course/) which covers anti-doping rules. The 2 coupon codes are:

• Endurance2024 (100% discount for first 10 users)
• cl3an ($3 cost for all others)

For questions or assistance, please email education@USADA.org. 

Sustainability Efforts

Western States continues to be committed to being a sustainable and ecologically responsible world-class event. As you make preparations for race week, please consider how you can help us in our sustainability efforts including:

• Streamline your race weekend supplies. Pre-cycle everything you’re bringing with you. Remove any extra plastic wrap, tags, paper, or cardboard, and recycle them before the trip begins. Bring and use only refillable water bottles.
• Do not throw your unused drop bag items into the trash after the event; take them home and after a few days to recover, assess what you want to keep for the next race, and what really needs to go into recycling or trash.
• Look for the Terracycle bins at our Aid Stations to dispose of your nutrition wrappers (eg. gel packets and other products). Don’t worry, we have plenty of volunteers to help sort your trash for you, too! 
• Please carpool whenever you can, and tell your friends, fans, and crews to do the same.

That's all I got for now. Enjoy the taper.

Craig Thornley

Race Director