RUNSPIRITED

The 2025 Western States race was an epic showdown, with first-time winners on both the men's and women's sides. There were many story lines before the big day, and now there are many more. Here are some questions in the aftermath of the race.

The 2025 Western States boasts a highly competitive men's field and strong women runners battling for the top spots. Here's a look at the top competitors, story lines to watch and more in a Q&A with race expert Andy Jones-Wilkins.

Rod Farvard is on a Western States quest this year as he returns to Western States, following his breakout performance in 2024 when he finished second overall with the third-fastest time ever at the historic race.

Heather Jackson, a HOKA-sponsored athlete, made a successful transition from elite triathlon to ultra running champion.

Conquer the World race director Steven Estremera has created a niche of trail and ultra running in upstate New York, focusing on challenging mountain races.

Recovery after workouts is critical for runners. In their post-run routine, some runners experiment with compression gear, stretching routines and other methods, all in pursuit of faster recovery and better performance. Another way to improve recovery and performance is CBD.

or women athletes, body composition is far more than a reflection in the mirror. It’s a complex interplay of muscle, fat, water, and bone that directly affects strength, endurance, injury prevention, and overall performance. Yet, the conversation around women’s athletic bodies has often been narrow, oversimplified to aesthetics or weight alone. 

In preparing for a big goal race, runners can learn a lot by participating in another race as part of their training. The benefits when runners use a race as a training run include getting hydration and nutrition dialed in, sharpening mental toughness and prioritizing recovery.

This guide answers the most relevant questions runners and other endurance athletes have about LASIK surgery: how it compares to contact lenses, when it’s safe to train again, what risks to expect, and who’s truly a good candidate.

Setting running goals based on your experience and fitness level is critical. Knowing how to establish and reach the appropriate running objectives for your level of fitness guarantees that you remain on course, steer clear of injury and appreciate the journey.