The greatest men’s ultrarunner of all time, Spanish legend Kilian Jornet, has confirmed that he still plans to return to Western States at the end of this month.
His participation in the biggest trail running event in the United States – which he won in 2011 and then returned to finish third 14 years later in 2025 – had been in some doubt after he had an MRI scan following Zegama-Aizkorri, his first race of 2026.
He’s an 11-time winner of that event but this year after a bright start he dropped out of contention and eventually crossed the line outside the top 40 because of an issue with his left knee.
‘I’m always optimistic’
Writing on his new Substack account afterwards he revealed that the MRI had shown up: “Moderate hydrops. Horizontal rupture in the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus with marked edema in the adjacent Hoffa’s fat pad. Cartilage damage centrally on the patella with adjacent bone marrow edema.”
And with Western States taking place on 27 June that means a desperately short window to make the start line – but the Spaniard sees that as part of the challenge.
In his latest YouTube video, which is embedded below, he explained: “We decided to stop running for a few weeks – I just did some biking and uphill to try and get rid of the edema.
“It’s a very short time because it’s only like four weeks to Western States but the plan is to get rid of the edema and then do two good weeks before Western States.
“So it’s a bit of a gamble but we are here to play – I’m always optimistic on that side.”
‘Finding the best way’
And the good news is that there have already been some signs of improvement, Jornet adding: “I think it’s much better than before Zegama.
“Sport is about accepting that it’s not a linear thing and that injuries and accidents happen and it’s about finding the best way of every situation.
“It’s not an ideal situation for Western States but that’s the fun thing of the challenge – can we perform well at Western States after four weeks without running and then two weeks of running? That’s what excites me more than if I’d have had a perfect preparation.
“It’s about performance goals, but without the result as the only marker.”
And his friends and rivals have been quick to wish him well, course record holder Jim Walmsley posting on Instagram: “I hope you find health quickly and we can meet close to full gaz at the end of June 🔥 You’re a grand artist, you can figure this out 💪.”
