American star Seth Ruhling‘s planned return to the Western States Endurance Run has been scuppered by injury.
Last season saw him win the 100K race at the Black Canyon Ultras in a course record 7:24:55 to earn his Golden Ticket for Western States.
He then followed that with another victory in the 50K event at The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB before going on to make his 100-mile debut at the WSER, finishing a fine sixth in a vintage edition in a fraction under 15 hours.
The top 10 all get an invite for the following year and that had been the plan – until injury struck.
‘Lots of uncertainty’
Writing on Instagram, Ruhling said: “Played ping pong a little too hard and wound up with a torn labrum in my hip (probably not actually caused by ping pong). Needless to say, I won’t be racing Western States this year 🙃.
“Lots of uncertainty in what the next few months will look like, but I’m really thankful for my friends, family, and BB fans. Also want to shoutout my sponsors, @thenorthface_trail , @suuntous , @smithoptics , and @never.second . Love ya’ll for real 🫶”
Kilian the star attraction
Ruhling had been confident he could knock a decent amount of time off his debut 14:59:36 and training had looked to have been going well so this news is a huge blow to both him and the race.
The first two on the men’s side from last year – Caleb Olson and Chris Myers – had decided not to take up their invites for 2026 but all the remaining runners in the top 10 apart from ninth-placed Peter Frano were intending to return.
That includes the ultrarunning GOAT Kilian Jornet, who was third in 2025, 14 years on from his previous appearance at the iconic Californian race when he won in 2011.
His build-up has been anything but straightforward though and he will attempt to make the podium again despite four weeks without running – more details here.
