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For the first time in 35 years, the Western States 100, America's most prestigious 100 mile trail run, has been scuttled, another casualty of the epic wildfires which are devastating the state of California. The race was to begin on Saturday.
"It is with deep regret that we announce today that the 35th running of the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run has been cancelled, due to the unprecedented amount of wildfires that have struck northern California in recent days and the health risks that have been associated with these wildfires," wrote Western States Board President Tim Twietmeyer in an e-mail message to registered runners. Twietmeyer continued: "Since the beginning of more than 840 wildfires statewide, 312 wildfires in northern California and more than 3,200 lightning strikes in the Tahoe National Forest alone on June 21, the race's organizers have worked closely with a variety local, county and state agencies in determining the best course of action for our race. It has become apparent that given our race's paramount concern - the safety or our runners - holding this year's race would pose too great a risk to our runners, to our aid station personnel and to our volunteers."
Twietmeyer pointd out that at least two of the fires were within two miles of the race course which runs from Squaw Valley to Auburn. The storied course has some 40,000 feet of climbing and descending, which much of it held at extremely high altitudes.
Organizers are pulling together alternate activities for the runners including annual events such as runner check-in for goodie bag pickup on Friday morning, the pre-race briefing and raffle on Friday afternoon, the showing of Western States documentaries on Friday night, and a special gathering of runners commemorating the race's start on Saturday.
"You have dreamed big and made countless personal sacrifices to prepare for one of the greatest days any trail runner can ever have," Twietmeyer's statement read. "As a group, the Western States Board would like to commend you for your dedication and devotion not only to the preparation that is required for our race, but to the community of trail runners of which we are all a part."
The race was founded in 1977, and it's winners' list boast such ultra legends as Ann Trason, who won 14 times, Scott Jurek, who won seven times, and Twietmeyer who had won five times.
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