Women's Category Takes Spotlight at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run!

Press Release / 06.07.2021

It is one of the most anticipated races of the year, and this year was no exception. The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run saw for the first time in its history three women finishing in the overall top ten last weekend. 
 
A result that confirms that when it comes to ultra-endurance, the difference between men and women starts to diminish. The Englishwoman, Beth Pascall, won first place and set the second-best time in the history of the race, still held by the British Ellie Greenwood (16:47).  In addition to making race history, Beth, who took a sabbatical year to devote herself to the competition, moved up to seventh place overall. 
 
New Zealander Ruth Croft, already victorious in the Tarawera Ultramarathon this year, has had an incredible season, taking part in the American race for the first time and finishing second. Spanish runner Ragna Debats came third in the women’s and tenth overall in the race, with a time of 17:41:13.

Women's podium
1. Beth Pascall - 17:10:42 
2. Ruth Croft - 17:33:48 
3. Ragna Debats - 17:41:13

Americans Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks were favourites to win this year in the men’s category, despite Jim's uncertain form due to an injury in the spring and Hayden's lack of experience over this distance. As is often the case with this event, the title contenders had to deal with the heat, which was close to 37 degrees, as well as the challenging altitude, which saw the favourites fall back one by one. The runner exceptional to this was Jim, whose endurance and experience saw him take first place for the third time in a row with 14:46, despite the performance being far from his own record (14:09). 

Men's podium
1. Jim Walmsley - 14:46:01 
2. Tyler Green - 16:11:02 
3.Drew Holmen - 16:23:09