Summer training inspiration: Western States 100 videos
Every summer, we look to the Western States 100 for training inspiration. For cross-country skiers, summer is the time to build strength and endurance—and trail running is one of our favorite ways to do it. Running through nature isn’t just great training; it’s a celebration of the outdoors and a powerful form of stress relief that helps us recharge. These are our favorite videos from the 2025 race, capturing grit, heartbreak, trail running legends, and triumph along the iconic course from Olympic Valley to Auburn. Enjoy this curated dose of pure motivation and insights.
David Roche entered the 2025 Western States 100 as one of the men’s favorites, coming off a course-record win at Leadville in 2024. But his Western States debut didn’t go as planned. Despite intense training and a fast start, mounting physical stress and overwhelming anxiety forced him to drop at mile 60. This isn’t just a race recap—it’s a story of raw vulnerability.
Trail running legend Kilian Jornet made a stunning return to the Western States 100 in 2025—finishing an incredible 75 minutes faster than his winning time back in 2011. Widely regarded as one of the greatest mountain athletes of all time, Kilian has dominated everything from the UTMB to the Skyrunning World Series, constantly redefining the limits of endurance. His comeback is the trail running equivalent of Petter Northug returning to the 2026 Winter Olympics—faster than ever.
Want to get to know the winners? Watch here.
Ever wondered what it takes to help a runner succeed in a 100-mile race? That’s where crewing comes in—support teams meeting their runner at aid stations with fuel, hydration, gear, and encouragement. In this video from Precision Fuel & Hydration, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the art and science of crewing at the Western States 100. Fuel strategies are critical at this distance, and here you’ll see how top runners and their crews fine-tune every detail at every aid station to keep performance at its peak. It’s a masterclass in endurance racing support.
The Western States isn’t just a 100-mile race—it’s a multi-day celebration of trail running. From pre-race events and athlete meetups to community runs, crew prep, and even quirky side races like the Beer Mile, the atmosphere is electric long before and after the starting gun. And when the golden hour arrives—that magical final stretch before the 30-hour cutoff—the energy and emotions are pure magic.
Got plenty of time on your hands? Stuck on a long treadmill session? Spinning through an indoor cycling workout? Or maybe you're just curled up on the couch recovering from a cold—like I was when I watched the whole thing?
This is the full 30-hour livestream recording of the 2025 Western States 100—pure trail running, unfiltered and unforgettable. Settle in and enjoy every mile, every landmark, every rest station, every battler. This one’s for the true fans.