Competitors weigh in on the most challenging part of Western States Trail

With more than 18,000 feet of climbing and 22,000 feet of descent, the Western States Trail is one of the hardest ultra-running courses in the world. From the start, Western States Endurance Run competitors will climb nearly 3,000 feet in just five miles before descending another 2,000 just after the 10-mile mark. By the time runners reach that point, they will be just one-tenth of the way done with the race. That may not even be the most challenging part of the race, according to runners, however, as several elites weighed in on what parts of the course they found the most challenging. Tim Tollefson of Mammoth Lakes says the most challenging part for him is the constant downhill running. He alters his training when going downhill so he can have his quadriceps and, oddly enough, his toes prepared for the beating. "They all get jammed up into the shoe and we have to really just harden the entire foot to be able to manage that amount of force that's going to be thrown at you over the course of 14 to 20 hours or however long it takes someone," Tollefson says. For racers coming from out of state, such as Idaho's Cody Lind, the heat can be the most challenging part, as temperatures are expected to hit triple digits Saturday. "Fortunately, I've been able to get out here quite a bit into California and train for it, getting some consecutive days in the heat," Lind says. "But a lot of it comes down to wearing some extra layers, maybe some jackets and just it can feel pretty brutal at times but you're just trying to simulate for what a really hot day on this course will be like." Lind said there isn't an area of the course he finds the most challenging because over 100.2 miles, every area has its quirks. "The canyons are challenging from mile 30 at Robinson Flat to mile 62," Lind says. "You have some really big canyons and it's hot." Another challenge for the runners is the isolation on the trails. Even with more than 300 competitors, there are spans where the racers won't see another person for miles. There are also only so many aid stations, and runners have to strategically use them like a pit stop to get what they need in the least amount of time possible so they can continue to chase the silver buckle that signifies a finish within 24 hours.