Why the GOAT Kilian Jornet is back at Western States 15 years on from ‘Unbreakable’ debut

What brings Kilian Jornet back to Western States this summer, 15 years on from his first appearance in the iconic American race?

That’s a question he asks himself in a fascinating new film called ‘A Different Athlete Now’, which is embedded below.

And ultimately, it appears to come down to the incredible level of competition he will face this year in what must be one of the greatest fields ever assembled.

That has always been a huge motivator for the Catalan superstar, who is widely regarded as the greatest ultrarunner of all time.

The ‘Unbreakable’ year

He made his mark in spectacular style on his first appearance at Western States in 2010, the 22-year-old European phenom who had won trail running’s blue riband event UTMB in both 2008 and 2009.

2010 at Western States would go down as the ‘Unbreakable’ year, with the film of the same name elevating trail running’s status in the wider world, with Jornet one of the four main protagonists.

He finished third on his debut behind Alaska’s Geoff Roes but would come back 12 months later to win in a course record time.

And looking back now in his new film, Kilian says: “15 years. That’s how long it’s been since my first Western States.

“The race holds the same magic as it did in 2010: the wilderness, those relentless canyons, the heat, the history of running 100 miles from Olympic Valley to Auburn.

“But life looks different for me now. Three kids, a more structured approach to training, and cold Norwegian fjords as a playground.

“So what brings me back to California? Maybe it’s curiosity. I’m not exactly the same athlete who first toed that line. Not younger for sure, but maybe a bit wiser.”

The latest chapter

And as the film progresses and we see many training insights for the now 37-year-old, it’s clear that running with others and being pushed to new heights still continues to be a huge driver.

He explains: “I think I’m pretty lucky in that I don’t feel like I need to win the races because I feel that I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved in the past.

“And if I do a race it’s more because it – the challenge – feels fun.

“This year going to Western, probably on paper it doesn’t look that fun but I think it’s fun because of the training challenge and the competition that it will be with all the guys.

“That’s what motivates me more – I don’t even care if I win or podium or whatever, it’s just fun to do that.”

The countdown is on to Saturday 28th June and it’s looking like another one that will go down in trail running legend.