The news that Jim Walmsley has been added to the Western States field on a sponsor invite has been greeted with pretty much universal approval from his peers and fans.
Walmsley is a legend at Western States – he is a four-time champion and the course record holder.
And he famously leapt into the public conscience on his debut at the 100-miler from Sierra Nevada to Auburn when he led late into the race in 2016 only for a wrong turn to dash his victory hopes.
His latest victory came in 2024, adding to his successes in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
But he missed out last year through injury and a challenging 12 months since meant to was unable to bag an automatic qualifying spot.
Thankful for another shot
However he is a HOKA athlete and they are title sponsors of the race which opened up the opportunity to return. But in a typically classy post on social media he felt the need to explain the circumstances behind that.
He said on Instagram: “I am very excited to be coming back to Western States in June 2026 🔥
“I want to be transparent about a few things from my end, starting with expressing how thankful I am to be given another shot to go back to @wser.
“I’m excited to approach this race again with the same fire I had 10 years ago. To run fearless and to try my hardest. It’s that simple.
“We’ll see you out there when that sun comes up over Lake Tahoe passing Watson Monument into the wilderness 🙌”
There’s lots more detail and thoughts in the embedded post below but essentially he said: “Discussing with Hoka, I have been open about this journey with them. I told them I wasn’t ready to race again yet this year, but with training through winter and not being in a healthy enough place to just pivot to a different race. Chianti in March. Canyons in April. They didn’t feel right with where I was at and the level I know I need to be at in June.
“I am in such a fortunate spot of being a Hoka athlete. Hoka has consistently aligned itself with many of my priorities as a trail athlete, and Hoka is the presenting sponsor of Western States. My history with the race, relationships with the people of the race and around Auburn, I truly love and care about this event. Together, I asked if Hoka would be comfortable to provide me a sponsor entry and if WS and the board would be okay with this. I’m humbled and I feel small that they didn’t hesitate to have my back to help make this happen for me. I don’t feel I should get special priority like this but it’s been a hard journey with the injury and I needed to ask for help this time. All I can say is thank you. You know I’ll do my best and try my hardest out there. See you at States.”
‘Best decision on all fronts’
And the response to that has been overwhelmingly positive with the trail running world delighted he will be on the start line – including his rivals!
Fellow ultrarunning legend John Kelly, who will be making his debut at Western States, spoke for many when he replied: “The detailed explanation is appreciated but unnecessary. Don’t ever think that you shouldn’t be there or that anyone doesn’t want you out there. No one deserves “special priority” there more.”
And Beth McKenzie also spoke for many when she added: “Best decision on all fronts. Love this! All the best athletes should be there, especially the course record holder!”
It only serves to ramp up the anticipation ahead of this year’s edition which on the men’s side will also feature the likes of Kilian Jornet and Francesco Puppi.
