The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, known as the first and most prestigious of the North

Winner Scott Jurek photos by Ron Nicholl

American 100 milers has been a race dominated by California trail runners. California still represents the largest number of entrants but for the fourth year in a row it has been won by Washington state's Scott Jurek. In addition, this year Washington laid claim to two in the top five when Jim Kerby cruised by the infamous Ann Trason in the last two miles. Scott has now graciously entered the record books with four successive wins. Tim Tweitmeyer, a name often associated with Western has won five times but no more than three in a row.

Scott's winning time of 16:19 was his best ever and a nineteen minute improvement over last year. Each time Scott's crew handed him water bottles, there were two times written on them, his anticipated time for that split and Mike Morton's comparable record time set in 1997. It was obvious from the beginning that Scott was racing the record, not the pack. Mike's record, set under near ideal running conditions, withstood the test again, at least for this year.

Scott held the lead from start to finish over the grueling 100 miles. He reported into each of the 26 checkpoints looking almost as strong as when he left the 5am Squaw Valley start. With arms waving, he was "pumped" for the win. Once Scott made it to the finish on the Placer High School track in Auburn, he did what has now been his characteristic finish, a roll across the finish line. Then back three more times for a total equal to his four wins.

Two awards are given; silver and brass belt buckles. The belt buckle is symbolic of the horse ride origins of the run. This year there were 90 silver buckles awarded for less than 24 hour finishers. The 165 runners finishing between 24 and 30 hours received brass buckles. Eight made the final checkpoint cut-off but finished after the 30 hours and received honorable mention.

Temperatures were in the 90's and warmer yet in the canyons with their characteristic "oven effect." These are normal summer conditions for the Sierras. The heat in the canyons can be stifling, often robbing a runner of precious energy needed for subsequent climbs.

Last year's forest fires necessitated several trail changes. The new trail over Little Bald Mountain (28 miles) afforded a good view of the fire damage. It was easy to spot how fast the fire had moved as it jumped over certain areas. Even along the new Bald Mountain trail there were piles of ash showing what little remained after the fire disintegrated adjacent trees.

The Squaw Valley start in the dark leads to an initial climb over Emigrant Pass (8,700') and a spectacular daybreak view of Lake Tahoe below. The rest of the day is spent running through sun lit mountains and canyons. All runners were able to watch a beautiful sunset that evening, followed by a star lit night and then the light of a quarter moon. While most saw this display, Scott Jurek was already finished. With the 30 hour time limit, there were still many that experienced the heat of the second day as temperatures rapidly climbed after the second sunrise.

Running in the middle to back of the pack affords many runners the chance to run with Gordy Ainsleigh. One can't talk about Western or any 100, without mentioning Gordy. He was the first to show that one could run 100 miles. In 1974, Gordy had a horse that turned up lame for the 100 mile Tevis Cup Horse Ride, so he decided to do it on foot. The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run had its beginnings. Gordy completed his 17th Western States this year, only bettered by Tim Twietmeyer's 21 finishes. Gordy at 55 has mountain man stature, a grizzly beard, and often runs shirtless without a fanny pack while carrying three bottles in one hand. Early in the race, it is fun to watch him run wide of the trail to clear a congestion of runners. A very powerful downhill runner, no one is going to get in his way. On the climb up Elephant's Trunk, an obvious neophyte to the course asked Gordy if he had run Western before. The response was a glance back and a big laugh as he answered "yes, a few times."

Many runners fight sleepiness at various stages of the night, especially those in the back of the pack. In the middle of the night, it is not surprising to come across a runner catching a nap on a rock. Flat ones work well. Fording the American River (mile 78) is always a good wake up. Fortunately, there is a cable and rope stretched across the fifty feet wide section of the river that was more than waist high this year. The first approach of morning light is also most welcome to drowsy runners. The start of a new day is a signal to get going, time to pick up the pace. The focus then turns to the cut-off times at the remaining check points and how much course can be covered before the day again heats up.

During the snow year of 1995, the race added safety patrol runners. Not just sweeps, these volunteers run amidst the pack, especially the first 30 miles. In 1995, the snow wells around the trees were often eight feet deep and the safety patrol was there to help any who should slip into such depressions. Western has continued the patrol, even if not needed for snow conditions. Lynn Yarnall and Jamshid Khajavi, veteran Western States Washington runners volunteered for the service this year. They were both welcome sights along the trail. For a year that he didn't get selected to run, Jamshid was everywhere, offering support while covering almost 70 miles as a patrol.

Scott Jurek was the first to the finish and other than a few short breaks was still there to see the last runner cross the Placer High School finish line almost fourteen hours later. Tim Twietmeyer has also always been there to see the last in. Not many other sports can claim such respect, when the first finishers are there to support the last.

Western States has beautiful scenery, meadows full of wildflowers and a course rich in gold rush history. Western is also a first class organizational event with the 26 aid stations manned by 1200 volunteers, including 200 medical volunteers. Everyone returns home with a terrific experience and many memories. Scott Jurek won the race but in 100 miles, all participants are winners. Scott has broken the California dominance; Washington has the "four-repeat winner!"

TWENTY-NINTH Annual Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run
June 29,2002   Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA
18,000' Elevation Gain and 22,000' Elevation Loss
Northwest Finishers

    1.Scott Jurek, 28, WA                       16:19:10
    5.James Kerby, 39, WA                   18:11:27
  13.Dave Terry, 40, OR                        19:25:43
  15.Craig Thornley, 38, OR                  19:44:28
  19.Stan Holman, 37, WA                    20:11:09
  24.William Emerson, 38, WA             20:32:53
  34.John Pearch, 29, WA                     21:44:15
  40.John Ticer, 45, OR                         22:10:37
  62.Kevin Myers, 43, OR                      23:13:57
  79.Jeffrey Browning, 30, OR               23:38:07
  81.Kevin Twidwell, 38, WA                 23:39:08
  82.David Kamp, 54, OR                     23:41:18
  89.Michael Moser, 34, WA                 23:54:52
  97.Robert Smith, M, 44, B.C.             25:13:10
104.James Rudig, 33, OR                    25:39:00
106.Linda Samet, 36, OR                    25:48:42
109.Rodney Bien, 29, OR                    26:05:07
137.Randy Gehrke, 44, ID                    27:05:10
144.John Zobel, 41, WA                       27:20:15
170.Gunhild Swanson, 57, WA       F  27:57:15
180.Cary Miller, 41, OR                        28:27:09
186.Ron Nicholl, 59, AK                       28:43:29
192.Mark Humphreys, 42, OR             28:47:30
194.Michael Daku, 43, AK                   28:48:38
196.Dori Robertson, 41, WA           F  28:49:53
197.Steve Collins, 53, WA                   28:51:21
199.Steve Petersen, 48, OR                28:58:21
219.Karen Gnass, 40, OR                F 29:18:16
220.Jon Gnass, 47, OR                        29:18:16
222.Cheri Gillis, 50, WA                   F 29:22:21
224.Anastasia Telesetsky, 30, WA F 29:27:34
227.Melanie Johnson, 48, OR         F 29:31:46
255.James Ballard, 51, OR                 29:58:49

33 Northwest Finishers; 13%
372 starters; 255 finishers; 68%