Dear Western States Runners,
It is with deep regret that we announce today that the 35th running of the
Western States 100-mile Endurance Run has been cancelled, due to the
unprecedented amount of wildfires that have struck northern California in
recent days and the health risks that have been associated with these
wildfires. The Board of Trustees of the Western States Endurance Run has
consulted with many of our local and state race partners, including the U.S.
Forest Service and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, in coming
to this decision. We apologize to our runners for any inconvenience this
decision has created.
The race’s organizers are currently working on a revised schedule of runner
activities for Thursday and Friday in Squaw Valley,
and these details will be made available soon. Although there will be no race
for the first time in our 35-year history, we still wish to make this
experience as meaningful as possible for our runners. Activities will include
annual events such as runner check-in for goodie bag pickup on Friday morning,
the pre-race briefing and raffle on Friday afternoon, the showing of Western
States documentaries on Friday night, and a special gathering of runners
commemorating the race’s start on Saturday.
Since the beginning of more than 840 wildfires statewide, 312 wildfires in
northern California and more than 3,200
lightning strikes in the Tahoe
National Forest alone on
June 21, the race’s organizers have worked closely with a
variety local, county and state agencies in determining the best course
of action for our race. It has become apparent that given our race’s paramount
concern – the safety
or our runners – holding this year’s race would pose too great a risk to our
runners, to our aid station personnel and to our volunteers. Given the close
proximity of at least two fires that are within two miles of our race course
and a critical access road, as well as the deteriorating air quality stretching
from our start in Squaw Valley to Auburn, Calif., the board has determined that
cancellation, rather than postponement or the use of an alternative course,
represents the safest and most prudent decision for our 2008 event.
Our decision was based on three factors:
1) Proximity of the fire to the race course, which has the potential to
impact the safety
of runners, aid station personnel and volunteers at any point during the race.
Fire projections indicate that the Westville Fire has the potential to reach
the Foresthill Divide Road
by the weekend; in addition, the Peavine Fire could
reach Last Chance and Mosquito
Ridge Road, possibly compromising access in and
out of these areas. In a statement, Jan Cutts,
District Ranger for the American River Ranger District, said, “In addition to
the potential direct impact by the fires, (the race’s cancellation) is based on
safety
concerns surrounding the increased number of vehicles on the road and
congestion associated with the Run. We see hundreds of vehicles on the Foresthill Divide Road
and Mosquito Ridge Road
for this event each year. That’s just too many additional vehicles when we’ve
got fire-fighting equipment and personnel using the same roads for fire
suppression operations. … Safety is
our overriding concern and we felt we could not provide a safe environment for
this year’s Run because of the unprecedented fire activity in the area.”
2. Air quality deterioration.
Placer County Air Pollution Control District officials have issued an
air-quality advisory. Air quality specialists with Placer County
are advising individuals to reduce their exposure to the unhealthy air, and
that includes vigorous outdoor activities. Medical representatives from the
Western States Board have consulted with several physicians regarding their
expert opinion on running a 100-mile trail race through rugged country through
such unhealthy air; the consensus has been that such an activity would not be
recommended, with the potential for serious health risks – even for the most
highly trained of athletes. As a point of reference, a high level of pollution
is 35 micrograms of material; in Auburn on
Wednesday the level was 10 times that amount, according to figures from Placer County.
In addition, Placer County Air Pollution Control District officials have
characterized the air conditions as extremely hazardous and the worst
recordings the area has had in more than 10 years.
In a statement, the Placer County Public Health Officer, Air Pollution Control
Officer and Director of the Office of Emergency Services, all concurred with
the decision to cancel this year’s run:
“The current situation in Northern California
with respect to poor air quality and active fire danger is unprecedented.
Within Placer County
there are three active fires burning in the American River
watershed, two of which have potential to impact the Western States Trail
directly. These fires, as well as ones burning outside of the American River
watershed to the west and north are creating unhealthy smoke concentrations
throughout the foothills. This has necessitated county public health officials
to issue advisories recommending a curtailment of voluntary outdoor activities
that include strenuous physical exertion. These recommendations include
reducing exposure to smoke.” Added Tom Christofk,
Placer County Air Pollution Officer: “The widespread smoke throughout Northern California is forecasted to remain as long as
the wildfires continue to burn and the weather conditions do not substantially
change. The poor air quality conditions being experienced in Placer County
are expected to persist through the weekend and impact elevations from the
valley to Tahoe. High particulate matter concentrations affect respiratory and
cardiovascular systems negatively, and I concur with the decision to cancel the
Run from a public health perspective as we have been issuing health advisories
recommending the limiting of outdoor physical exercise until conditions
improve.”
3. Safety
of our runners.
For 35 years, the Western States 100 has been predicated on our runner’s safety. As
stewards of the race, the Western States Board has always recognized that
running 100 miles over snow, through high elevations, into infernal canyons and
through the dark of night can pose great challenges for even the most skilled
of runners. Couple the challenging nature of our run with the existing
combination of close proximity of wildfire, potential volatile fire activity
that could cut off key access points to the course as well as some of the most
unhealthy air the region has seen this decade, and the decision was made in
recognition of our preeminent goal – the safety of
our runners.
For all of you, today’s news is disappointing. Since the lottery was held in
December, you have trained with remarkable diligence and focus to get to this
day. You have dreamed big and made countless personal sacrifices to prepare for
one of the greatest days any trail runner can ever have. As a group, the
Western States Board would like to commend you for your dedication and devotion
not only to the preparation that is required for our race, but to the community
of trail runners of which we are all a part. You are members of a special
group, one that relishes challenge, constantly strives to improve the limits of
what is believed possible, and seeks the special kindred spirits of others who
revel in the beauty of our sport. We have been honored to have your name as
part of our race’s start list this year.
We would be remiss if we did not publicly thank the men and women of the
American River Ranger District, particularly Jan Cutts
and Ed Moore, for their consultation and constant flow of updated information
regarding this very challenging fire situation. The City of Auburn,
City Manager Bob Richardson, and officials from Placer County,
in particular Tom Christofk, Placer County Air
Pollution Control Officer, and Dr. Richard Burton, Placer County Public Health
Officer, have also been invaluable sources of information and advisement.
Thanks to all of these trail partners.
In the coming days, we will announce details regarding entries for next year’s
race, which will be determined in a fair and equitable manner. It should be
noted that per our race rules, all race entries are non-refundable.
Thank you again for your participation and interest in the Western States 100.
We hope that we will see you in 2009.
Sincerely,
Tim Twietmeyer
Western States Board President
Greg Soderlund
Race Director