When will entries be available?

Entries are available HERE starting in July of the year preceding the Run and continuing until the application deadline in early November.

How do I enter?

Download and print the Entry Form when it is made available (July to November.) Or, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: WSER, 2217 Ryedale Lane, Sacramento, CA 95835 or go to www.active.com for online entry.

Can I enter online?

Yes, you can apply online at www.active.com. In addition to the entry fee, you will be charged a small service fee. Your credit card will only be charged if you are selected in the lottery. A declined credit card will result in a declined entry.

Do I need to qualify prior to entering?

Yes, you must qualify. The qualifying standards can be found on the Qualifying page and on the entry form itself. Qualifying standards are based on distances completed, without respect to age or running surfaces.

What is an "OFFICIAL" qualifying event?

• 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.
  New events in 2007 that are approved are:
  • Mt. Disappointment 50 Mile, Angeles National Forest, CA, August 2
  • Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile, Steamboat Springs, CO, Sept 15

What is your refund policy?

Once you are selected in the lottery, there is a no-refund policy.

What is the deadline for getting my entry in?

Midnight (PST), November 8th of the year preceding the Run.

How does the lottery work and when is it?

A detailed explanation can be found on the Lottery page. The lottery is held on the first or second Saturday of December preceding the Run.

Who can attend the lottery, and where is it held?

The lottery is open to the public, and all runners, friends and family are encouraged to attend. Special prizes are given to Lottery winners who are present. Also, a Bonus Drawing at the end of the Lottery gives those present "one last chance" to be selected.
The lottery is held in the cafeteria at Placer High School, 275 Orange St., Auburn, CA.

When do you charge my credit card?

Your credit will be charged immediately once you are selected in the lottery.

If I gain entry into the Run but cannot participate due to an injury or illness can I apply and get an automatic entry the following year?

The Western States has a No-Rollover policy.

What are my odds of getting selected in the lottery.

The odds depend primarily on the number of applications we receive. In recent years, about 20% of all applicants have been selected.

When do you post the results of the lottery to the website?

Results are posted to the Lottery Results List every few minutes during the drawing. Final results are normally posted to the website no later than 2 PM (PST) on the day of the Lottery.

How will I be notified if I am accepted or rejected?

Acceptance notices are sent out by first class mail on the day of, or the Monday following, the Lottery. Rejection notices will be e-mailed immediately following the lottery.

I heard that there is a Service Requirement that I must complete before running WS.

Yes. Starting in 1998, the Western States Endurance Run has required eight hours of service. This can be in the form of trail maintenance or volunteer services at any run or ultramarathon. For those within traveling distance of Auburn, there is a series of trail projects held each year that directly benefit the condition of the Run course.

Pacing or crewing is NOT considered a volunteer service to an event. This requirement must be fulfilled during the 15-month period leading up to the Run. If the Service Requirement is not completed, you will not be allowed to participate in the Run. See the Service Form.

Are there training runs offered?

Yes. See the Training page. The runs are in late February and during the Memorial Weekend. It is a tremendous advantage on race day if you can take the opportunity to familiarize yourself and any pacers with the canyons and "nighttime" sections of the course.

What can I expect on arriving at Squaw Valley, CA?

On Thursday, runners, crews and pacers are trickling into the Valley. We offer important clinics for runners and crews on Thursday. You can hike or run to the summit to get a feel for the first four miles of the course. On Friday, you will be very busy with runner check-in, drop-bag arrangements and a mandatory briefing. The Friday pre-race activities are usually completed by 3 PM.

Is there a technical guide for running Western States?

Yes. See the WS Participant Guide. A printed copy is also mailed to all accepted runners. The Guide is worth its weight in gold and should be carefully studied by all first-time participants.

I'm flying to the Run, where should I land?

If you're flying to the Run, you can land in Sacramento or Reno and drive to Squaw Valley. Squaw Valley is two hours driving time from Sacramento and one hour from Reno.

How do I get to the start of the Run?

Squaw Valley (AKA Olympic Valley) is 42 miles from Reno, NV, 96 miles from Sacramento, and 196 miles from San Francisco via Interstate 80. The Valley entrance (look for the Olympic Towers) on Hwy 89, 8 miles from Truckee and 6 miles from Tahoe City (the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.)

From San Francisco/Sacramento/Northern California: Take Interstate 80 northeast into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Exit at Truckee, onto Highway 89 SOUTH, towards Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City/Squaw Valley. Follow Highway 89 south 8 miles to the Squaw Valley Rd. Exit. Turn RIGHT and follow Squaw Valley Rd. to the base of the mountain.

From Reno, NV and Eastern U.S.: Take Interstate 80 WEST into California and on to Truckee. (Approx 30 miles from Reno) Take the Highway 89 SOUTH Exit towards Lake Tahoe/Tahoe City/Squaw Valley. Follow Highway 89 south 8 miles to the Squaw Valley Rd. Exit. Turn RIGHT and follow Squaw Valley Rd. to the base of the mountain.

Is there a Lost & Found for gear that's gone missing during the Event?

Yes. All such items found at the checkpoints are transferred to the Finish Line area and laid out on tarps at one end of the Stadium field. UNCLAIMED ITEMS, INCLUDING DROP BAGS, NOT CLAIMED BY 3 PM, SUNDAY, OF RUN WEEKEND WILL BE DISPOSED OF. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR DROP BAGS.

How can I volunteer to help out during the annual event?

The race is always in need of medical professionals, aid station personnel, trail sweeps and start and finish-line helpers. We also rely on volunteers for runner tracking on the Internet and for voice communications (See separate Comm FAQ.) If you'd like to volunteer, tell us via the Volunteer Form or contact the Race Director, Greg Soderlund, by Email. We will do our best to fit you in.

Where can I go to view the Run as a spectator?

Not all of the Run course is accessible to the general public on Run Weekend. Many of the checkpoints are restricted to Run officials only, due to limited space for parking and to the need to keep the narrow access roads clear for fire and rescue equipment. Members of the press are asked to contact the WS Public Relations office in advance by Email.

You can, however, see a lot of the Run (and related activities) first hand:

• Squaw Valley Start: On the Friday of Run Weekend, you can observe the check-in process and listen in on the runner briefings. You can also watch the Race start at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning, although it is still quite dark at that hour.
• Robinson Flat Checkpoint: The front runners start to arrive at about 8:00 AM, Saturday, and continue coming through until the 1:30 PM cutoff time. Note that Robinson can only be reached via the Foresthill Divide Road out of Foresthill. Allow about an hour for the trip as the road, although paved, is narrow and steep in places. Parking is very limited at Robinson: you will need to park about a mile short of Robinson Flat at Sailor Bar and take a shuttle bus to the aid station.
• Foresthill Checkpoint: The front runners can start to arrive as early as 2:30 PM, depending on trail/weather conditions. There is plenty of parking available in town and lots of places to view the runners. They will enter the checkpoint area in front of the school just north of downtown, and proceed along the main street before rejoining the trail at the south end of town. The cutoff time for runners at Foresthill is midnight.
• No Hands Bridge Checkpoint: This checkpoint is open to the public. Park beside the roadway, just past the Highway 49 bridge at the North Fork/Middle Fork Confluence. Walk in via the graded dirt access road, about 50 yards. The front runners may arrive as early as 8:00 PM. Cutoff is 10:15 AM, Sunday morning.

  Note: Due to the lack of safe parking, general spectators are
  discouraged at the Hwy 49 checkpoint near Cool, CA.

• Placer HS Stadium Finish: The first runner may arrive as early as 9:00 PM. 24-hour runners must arrive by 5:00 AM, Sunday morning; 30-hour runners by 11:00 AM. Runner progress information is posted on large tote boards, and runners are identified by the announcer as they enter the stadium for their "home stretch."