Hayden Hawks has gone incredibly close to a win at Western States and is hoping this is the year he finally gets to stand on the top step of the podium.
He was second in 2022 and third in 2024 and the American star forms part of a stacked men’s field, which includes the legendary Kilian Jornet who was third last year.
All the while Hawks has been getting quicker too and he’s documented his build up to the race in a series of short videos, the latest of which is embedded below.
‘This race means the world’
And writing on Instagram it’s clear just how much the race means to him as he said: “It’s @wser week! I have been dreaming about this week and coming back to this race for a long time now.
“I am grateful I am back and will have the chance to start my 5th Western States and finish my 4th this weekend. This race means the world to me and inspires me the most in my career still! I am ready to have a lot of fun out on those trails, fight, and hurt a good amount too.
‘My love runs deep with this one’
“It has been a journey with this race. From my first start and major blow up but top 10 in 2021, to my two podiums in 2022 and 2024, and my DNF because of a knee injury in 2023. I can say that I have learned a lot from this race and have matured and grown a lot in this sport because of it.
“I hope to draw on that experience this weekend and I do know that experience pays off in this one. I can finally say that I have a good idea on how to run this race and execute it.
“My love runs deep with this one and a DNS in 2025 made that love grow even more. I will use that when things get hard for sure!
“It will also be special this year having my friends and family out again, my son will be joining the crew, and my brother @leviruns will be pacing me.
“The plan is to keep dropping that finish time. From 17:48 in 2021, to 15:47 in 2022, and 14:24 in 2024. What will my finish time be in 2026?”
