Western States 100: Bouillard and Lichter smash course records
At the 2026 Western States 100 on Saturday, Vincent Bouillard and Jenn Lichter both won and shattered course records in unusually cool Sierra Nevada weather. Bouillard ran 13:46:15 to beat Jim Walmsley's men's mark by roughly 23 minutes, while Lichter finished in 15:28:05, 85 seconds under Courtney Dauwalter's women's record. The Western States 100, the oldest 100-mile trail race in the world, delivered historic pace as 370 starters from 31 countries tackled the 100.2-mile route from Olympic Valley, California, to Auburn.
Key Takeaways
- Vincent Bouillard set a new men's course record of 13:46:15, about 23 minutes faster than Jim Walmsley's 14:09:23 from 2019.
- Jenn Lichter won her Western States debut in 15:28:05, breaking Courtney Dauwalter's 15:29:33 women's record from 2023.
- Cool conditions—with a finish-area high of just 74°F, the third coolest on record—helped fuel the fastest times in race history.
- Francesco Puppi, Ryan Montgomery, and Thomas Cardin also finished under the previous men's course record.
- Lichter's win was her second course record of 2026 after winning Black Canyon 100K in February.
Why Did Both Western States 100 Course Records Fall in 2026?
Temperatures told much of the story. Runners lined up at 5 a.m. in 51°F weather, and the unofficial high at the Auburn finish reached only 74°F—16°F below the race's average high of 90°F and the third coolest finish-area high in event history, according to iRunFar.
Cool years have historically produced fast Western States times. Both previous records—Walmsley's men's mark and Dauwalter's women's standard—were set on below-average-temperature years. With no snow on course and a deep elite field, record pace was on the table from the start.
Who Won the Men's and Women's Races?
France's Vincent Bouillard, the 2024 UTMB champion racing for Hoka, seized the men's title after chasing Italy's Francesco Puppi through the final miles. Bouillard crossed the Placer High School track in 13:46:15, finishing roughly 23 minutes ahead of Walmsley's previous mark.
Jenn Lichter led a stacked women's field that included defending champion Abby Hall, Marianne Hogan, and Riley Brady. The Western States newcomer held off Brady to finish in 15:28:05, per race coverage from Trail Runner Magazine.
How Deep Was the 2026 Western States 100 Field?
The men's podium underscored the depth: Puppi (13:51:08) and Ryan Montgomery (13:53:55) joined Bouillard under Walmsley's old mark, with Thomas Cardin fourth in 14:07:58. Zach Miller's fifth-place 14:20:09 ranked as the 10th fastest men's time in race history.
On the women's side, Riley Brady was second in 15:42:14, followed by Hogan (15:51:44), Caitlin Fielder (15:57:09), and Lotti Brinks (16:04:38). Fu-Zhao Xiang's seventh-place finish would have been no worse than second in any prior year, highlighting how competitive the women's race was.
What Role Did Live Coverage Play in the Weekend?
The 53rd Western States drew global attention through free YouTube livestreaming, a format that last year attracted more than 750,000 viewers across 120 countries, as Runner's World reported ahead of the race. Fans tracked splits in real time as early leaders like Hans Troyer and Jim Walmsley—who withdrew at mile 62 with a hip issue—faded and Bouillard surged.
For more on how technology and media are reshaping endurance sports, explore our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.