Walmsley Out For WSER

Just a few weeks ago this year’s Western States was heralded by various trail media outlets having one of the most competitive and exciting fields in recent history (possibly ever!) but is now more and more looking like a reasonably regular, yet still exciting Western States.

But today: Jim Walmsley withdraws from the race, no word yet as to why.

And Hayden Hawks withdrew a few days ago and is getting knee surgery.

Of note: Dan Green, winner of Cocodona 250 this year took Jim’s place (off of the waitlist).

How hard is it to predict ahead of time, who of the elites will be healthy and who will show up at any given race day. And how freaking hard is it to craft a compelling media story around these high profile trail races when every arrow in your quiver is a superlative and a definitive most extreme, super, history, amazeballs prediction? This shit is hard.

There still remains plenty of fire power in this year’s Western States lineup. Both on the men’s and women’s side. Hannes Namberger and Rosanna Buchauer are running after all, ha! And with a field of almost 100 international runners it will be an event not to be missed (unless you’re running Laverdo, then it’s okay to be busy on that day).