It’s the 36th annual Western States endurance trail run.
Race spokesman John Trent says the athletes are especially excited. That’s because last year, more than a thousand Northern California wildfires filled the air with smoke and forced the race to be canceled.
“They had to put Christmas off for a year and now Christmas has returned and they’re really chomping at the bit to get going.”
Trent says these are ultra-runners…not only in top physical shape but also mentally strong.
“The mental aspect of running 100 miles is probably more important than the physical. You have to convince yourself that no matter how badly you feel, eventually it’ll pass.”
The race starts Saturday at 5 AM in Squaw Valley and ends Sunday at 11 AM at Placer High School in Auburn.