This past weekend was 36th annual Western States Endurance Run starting at the base at Squaw Valley, over Emigrant Pass to Auburn. The 100 mile run is one of the oldest and most challenging races in the world. This year saw 399 runners with only 238 completing the race in the 30 hour time allotted. The Run is conducted along the Western States Trail starting at Squaw Valley, California, and ending in Auburn, California, a total of 100 miles. The trail ascends from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4-½ miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn. Most of the trail passes through remote and rugged territory, accessible only to hikers, horses and helicopters. This years winner was Hal Koerner of Ashland, Ore., completing the run in just 16 hours, 24 minutes, 55 seconds for his second consecutive win. Tsuyoshi Kaburagi of Japan finished second with a time of 16:52:06, and Jez Bragg of Great Britain placed third with a time of 16:54:26. Anita Ortiz of Eagle, Colo., finished first among women and ninth place overall, with a time of 18:24:17 â?” more than an hour before second-place woman Krissy Moehl of Seattle (19:26:02). More information on the race and the complete 2009 finishers list can be found at ws100.com.