Bragg returns to the Western States
After his third-place run in 2009 the UK’s Jez Bragg returns to California and the Western States 100 later this month to attempt in an attempt to be the first ever British winner of this great ultra-trail event
Full release from The North Face
Jez Bragg is to compete in one of the oldest and most challenging ultra trail events in the world on 25th June, 2011 – The Western States 100 mile Endurance Run.
Sunrise in the WS100
The Race starts at 5am from Squaw Valley, California. It takes the runners through original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s and along unforgiving remote and rugged territory, ending after a 22,900 feet descent before reaching the finish line in Auburn.
Bragg on his way to a Fellsman course record
Jez has had a flying start to 2011, having just smashed the record for The Fellsman, a grueling 60-mile (96km) high level traverse, over very hard rugged moorland, from Ingleton to Threshfield in the Yorkshire Dales.
Jez commented:
“Western States is the absolute ultra race to run in the US, and year on year attracts all the best runners to battle it out on a fast but very challenging 100 mile course in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.
The race is a complete adventure in itself combining remote mountainous trails, heat – particularly in the several canyons, and altitude in the early stages.
I ran Western States in 2009 and, despite a mixed performance, managed to claim 3rd place. In such a challenging and demanding race it’s inevitable that you make mistakes first time round and I did, so this year I’m excited about returning and performing better, hopefully mixing it up with the lead runners again”.
Jez also plans to return to The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® to defend his title in August later this year.
