Flagstaffs Walmsley wins the Western States Ultra for the third time after an injury | To run

On Saturday, Flagstaff ultra runner Jim Walmsley won his third Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in a row in 14 hours 46 minutes 1 second.

With the kind permission of Hoka / Myke Hermsmeyer

DAILY SUN STAFF

Proven once again that he is America’s top ultra runner, Flagstaff’s Jim Walmsley easily won his third hot-boxing Western States 100 Endurance Run on Saturday in Northern California’s canyons and foothills.

It was the third win in a row in the western states for Walmsley, who covered the demanding route from Olympic Valley to Auburn in 14 hours 46 minutes 1 second.

That’s a long way from his 2019 track record of 14:09:28, but this was perhaps the toughest challenge for the 31-year-old. Walmsley had struggled with an iliotibial gang strain that spring that was limiting his training. That, combined with the 100-degree heat at noon, thwarted any hope that he could break his course record.

Even so, Walmsley was over about 60 miles at record pace. He led from start to finish, fending off an early threat from Southern Utah University former cross country star Hayden Hawks, who faded badly, finishing in 11th place. Walmsley was to be tested by fellow Flagstaff and “Coconino Cowboy” runner Jared Hazen, who was having a tough day and had to drop out shortly after half-time.

So Walmsley ran alone for most of the day, wearing a bucket hat to ward off the heat. He then told irunfar.com’s Meghan Hicks that given his leg injury, he didn’t know what to expect.

“I didn’t do any real tests before the race and I can say I usually know where I am and what I can do,” Walmsley told irunfar. “I just got this one, it was more about trusting the process and trusting what I did and just being ready for a tough day.”