I found out about Western States last year, and it immediately stuck with me. As running became a bigger part of my life, I wanted to see the Super Bowl of trail running up close. So this year, I flew down to Lake Tahoe to photograph the start of the race.

The Escarpment

The morning started in darkness. I hiked toward the Escarpment with a headlamp and aleast a hundred others. The air was cold and still. When the first light hit the peaks, the ridge came alive, cowbells, cheers, cameras clicking. Then the runners appeared below, climbing steadily toward the pass, already locked in for the long day ahead.

Early morning at the Escarpment Early morning at the Escarpment

Chasing the Race

After the Escarpment, I spent the rest of the day chasing the race.

Foresthill was the big one, loud, and full of energy. Crews lined the streets with coolers and folding chairs, waiting for their runners to come through.

Runners on the course Runners on the course Runners on the course Runners on the course Runners on the course Runners on the course

The Finish

By evening I made it to Auburn in time to see the elite men come through the finish, Kilian Jornet among them. The energy was still high, the crowd loud and alive even after a full day in the heat. Watching those runners cross after a hundred miles was unreal.

Foresthill checkpoint and finish line Foresthill checkpoint and finish line