They were second and third at Western States last year, with just three minutes between them after 100 miles.
And heading into what looks a vintage 2026 edition – with nine of the top 10 women returning – China’s Fuzhao Xiang and Canada’s Marianne Hogan have been virtually inseparable in training.
For they’ve joined forces for their last big training block into next week’s (5am start, Saturday 27 June) California showdown.
‘We pushed each other’
It’s not a unique situation – and we’ve also seen it with some of the leading male contenders – but it does underline the camaraderie and friendly rivalry in evidence as the ultrarunning bar continues to be raised.
Hogan put it perfectly in the Instagram post below: “Grateful to have shared this final big training block in Flagstaff with @xiang.fuzhao (F2/F3 👊🏻👯) before @wser 🤠
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve done most of our long runs together, and it’s been such a fun block. Every outing looked a little different, some days she was dragging me up the climbs, some days I was returning the favour 😅 but every time we stepped out the door, we pushed each other a little further outside our comfort zones.
‘Raising the bar’
“One of the things I love most about this sport: we can toe the line as competitors, while still helping each other along the way. Raising the bar for one another!
“Last year we finished just 3 minutes apart, and it’s been a privilege to share so many miles since then. Beyond being an incredible athlete, @xiang.fuzhao is one of the easiest people to train with: always positive, always up for an adventure, and always down for one more mile 🙌🏻”
They’ll both be among the favourites again this year, with Abby Hall also back to defend the title she won in such brilliant fashion 12 months ago.
