Western States 100 Mile Race Report (2016)
Well, I finally completed the 100-mile distance! It was rough, it was raw, and it stripped me to my core…but I gutted out the full distance in a 17 hours, 16-minutes at the 2016 Western States 100 Endurance Run.
In short, the race was my worst ultra race performance in my career. I laid down on the trail in a dead stop half a dozen times, puked just as many times, and dry heaved about 100 times. At the mile 78 aid station I sat down in a chair for about 25-minutes. My stomach really got the best of me in the second half of the race and unfortunately it lead to a rather disastrous positive split.
My VLOG report (just below) covers all the details, but in case you don’t want to listen to 20-min of rambling this is what happened:
I went to compete for the win. Jim Walmsely also went for the win (and a very fast time). I tired to follow him and worked really hard but was all alone in 2nd place from miles 30-75. At mile 55 I started to get very nauseous. By mile 70 I was walking and massively dehydrated (barfing did not help) but still faster than course record pace. In the end I finished in 11th place as guys kept flying by me in the final 15-miles.
Ultimately I’m going to treasure this whole experience because it was a rewarding time with loved ones in a beautiful area:

Flora Health Snacks on the (Lake Tahoe) Beach!
Big thanks to Sandi and my parents for crewing for me, my buddy Joel Frost-Tift for pacing me, my sponsors (see “gear list” below), and everyone who’s made this journey all possible (people such as yourself!).
The trail-ultra community was super supportive at Western States and there were tons of inspiring stories that whole weekend. In fact, as part of Sandi’s “Western Stories” film project, we are still hoping to get some more footage of runners in the race. If you were filming at a crew station or pacing this would be really awesome to have. Please visit our page and fill out the form HERE
Also, The Ginger Runner was out there filming (he also came to Boulder to film some of my training and story). Stay tuned for a film project coming out from him on my whole Western States 100 experience (Thanks Ethan!).
Finally, thank you for all your tremendous support! The comments on social media and in person have meant the world to me and it really goes to show how awesome and generous the running community really is.
Thank you and I hope your running is going well!
-Sage
Shameless Sponsor Plugs:
Kicks: Hoka One One Speedgoats and Claytons
General Nutrition (Tea, Fruit snacks, vitamins/minerals): Flora Health
Recovery Bars: Ugo Bars
Gels: Vfuel
More Recovery and snacks/spreads: Trail Butter
Anti-Chafe and Skin Protection: Squirrel’s Nut Butter
Shades: Julbo Stony
Compression: Compressport R2 Calf Sleeves
Socks: Drymax SAGE RUNNER
Training Data/log: Strava.com
Running Form Data/Sensor: LumoRun
Post-Run Beverage: Avery Brewing Beer
Hydration Packs/Handhelds/Vests: NATHAN
Category: blog
About the Author (Author Profile)
2-time Olympic Trials Qualifier, Mountain runner, Author of "Running For The Hansons," trail runner, videos for Vo2max Productioins, LLC.Comments (6)
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Colorado Ultra-Runner Sage Canaday’s Tough Day at Western States – Dispatch Radio | July 1, 2016
- Top 10 Blogs To Help You Run Your First Ultra Marathon | Runbl | March 21, 2017
- Western States Endurance Run Race Info – Team RunRun | May 31, 2017
- Western States 100 - The Ultra Wire | September 19, 2017
Hi, good post..thanks and good luck
Hi what was the white bandana u wore in ws100