On Saturday morning, the 2024 Western States Endurance Run will send the best ultra runners on an epic journey from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California. The world’s oldest 100-mile trail race has captivated the endurance sports community since its first iteration 51 years ago. This year, we’ll see the return of the men’s course record-holder and past podium finishers vying for dominance through the Sierra Nevadas.

Here are the athletes that will be racing for HOKA this weekend.

JIM WALMSLEY

The three-time Western States champion and course record-holder is making a highly anticipated return to Olympic Valley for the first time in three years. This summer, the ultra running phenom is chasing two coveted titles—Western States and UTMB—after a breakthrough 2023 season. Last year, Walmsley became the first American in history to win the prestigious championship in Chamonix, France, in his fifth attempt at the title. After UTMB, Walmsley moved from his training base in Arêches Beaufort, France, back home to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he’s been preparing for another record-breaking season. On Saturday, he will return to the course that transformed his career in hopes of claiming his fourth title.

HAYDEN HAWKS

A veteran in ultra running circles, Hayden Hawks returns to Western States after several standout performances in the last year. In February 2023, he finished second in the Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 100K. A year later, he claimed the win at Black Canyon Ultras 100K, where he secured a Golden Ticket entry into Western States. After finishing second at the 2022 Western States Endurance Run, Hawks was forced to drop out in the 2023 edition of the race when he fell and injured his knee. This year, he’s chasing redemption from Olympic Valley to Auburn.

JI DUO

The runner from Fuzhou, China, heads to Olympic Valley after winning the Mount Yun by UTMB 100K in 9:36:05 in April. Last December, Duo had a breakthrough performance at Doi Inthanon by UTMB, winning the 100-mile race in 23:58:49. Duo earned his Golden Ticket by winning Doi in Thailand and will be making his debut at Western States this weekend.

JON REA

Last year, the Boulder, Colorado-based athlete emerged with several impressive performances. In August, Rea finished fourth in the CCC 100K at the UTMB Mont-Blanc Finals. He kept the momentum going with a decisive victory at the Javelina Jundred in October. A year after finishing runner-up, Rea topped the podium in the men’s 100 miler in 12:43, shattering the course record set by Dakota Jones in 2022. He also earned a Golden Ticket and a chance to improve on his 14th-place showing in the men’s division last year.

HEATHER JACKSON

Jackson also unleashed a breakthrough performance at the 2023 Javelina Jundred. A year after finishing fifth in Arizona, the Ironman star averaged 8:38-mile pace while winning the women’s 100 miler in 14:24, 31 minutes ahead of runner-up Ragna Debats. The victory earned her a Golden Ticket and showed major progress since her transition into ultra running in 2022. Jackson heads into the women’s race at Western States as a podium contender after an exciting season of gravel racing this spring.

ESZTER CSILLAG

Last year, the Hungarian-born runner who lives in Hong Kong, stunned the ultra running world when she finished third at Western States. Since her podium finish in Auburn, Csillag has collected two more victories—the 2023 IZU Trail Journey 100K and the 2023 Translantau by UTMB 100K. This year, Csillag is ranked No. 2 behind last year’s runner-up Katie Schide heading into the women’s race. If the mom of two has another breakthrough performance, we could see her top the podium on Saturday.

EMILY SCHMITZ

In 2023, Emily Schmitz was on a tear collecting podium finishes around the world. The runner from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, won the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB, finished third at Istria 100 by UTMB, and was the runner-up at Val Tho Summit Games, among other top 7 performances. One of her greatest races came at 2023 CCC by UTMB, where she finished fifth and earned a Golden Ticket. Expect to see Schmitz contending up front this weekend.

FUZHAO XIANG

The athlete from Chongqing, China, heads to Olympic Valley after three consecutive victories on the trail racing circuit. In April, Xiang won the TNF 100 Ultra Trail Challenge Moganshan. The following day, she collected another victory at the Kolon Sport Trail Race. Six days later, she won the Mount Yun by UTMB 50K. Last year, Xiang won the China 100 Mountain Cross-Country Race and the Translantau by UTMB 100 miler in 18:16.

ANNA LI

Anna Li earned her spot in the 2024 Western States race by finishing second at the Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB in December. So far this year, she’s collected a pair of victories. In April, she won the Mount Yun by UTMB 100K. In the first week of June, she also claimed the Five Park City Crossing Race title. With lots of competitions under her belt from last year—including three events over 100K—Li should be sharp on race day.

KELLIE ANGEL

The runner from Melbourne, Australia, heads to Olympic Valley six months after winning the Grampians Peaks Trail 100 miler. In the same year, she also finished 17th at CCC by UTMB and 41st at the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Since her Grampians victory in November, the mom of two has collected two more wins and a runner-up finish in shorter distances, including the Noosa Ultra-Trail Out’N’Back in March. In her postpartum return to the sport, Angel will be a top runner to watch this weekend.