The Western States 100 is magnetic, a bucket-list race layered with folklore that serves as one of ultrarunning’s biggest stages. For many runners, vying for an opportunity to toe the starting line in Olympic Valley can quickly turn into an all-consuming pursuit, an object of obsession. For On athlete, Jeff Colt, the chase for a spot into Western States had been a multi-year saga fraught with close calls and near misses, that is until a near-perfectly executed run at the Black Canyon 100k in February earned him a Golden Ticket and automatic entry. We pick up Jeff’s story there and hear all about his journey leading up to Western States, a play-by-play of his 11th-place finish, and the complexities of looking back at that experience now. Along the way, we also get into topics like the Wilderness Act, the Beat Generation, books currently on our nightstands, and much more.
TOPICS & TIMES:
- Gary Snyder and the Beat Generation (1:46)
- Working & running in the White Mountains hut system (5:49)
- Hardrock 100 & the Wilderness Act (12:47)
- Jeff’s journey to Western States (17:23)
- Pandemic silver linings (27:04)
- Reflections on his performance at Western States (33:54)
- His interests outside of running (42:30)
- “What books are currently on your nightstand?” (44:57)
- Representing the US at the Trail World Champs in Thailand (49:09)