Kilian Jornet is coming back to Western States 100 and he’s looking for a pacer. Here’s how you can apply to run alongside one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time.
When Kilian Jornet, the legendary mountain runner from Spain, casually dropped a call for a pacer on Instagram, the trail running world sat up straight. No, it wasn’t a joke. The man who once scaled the Matterhorn at breakneck speed is actually looking for someone to join him for 20 miles of the 2025 Western States 100.
Yes, that Western States the most storied 100-mile trail race on Earth, winding from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California. This year’s race kicks off on June 28, and Jornet is heading back to the start line. Think you can hang with the best? Here’s what you need to know.
Posted by his gear company, NNormal, the announcement reads: “Next month, Kilian returns to the Western States 100, one of the most prestigious ultramarathons on Earth. Keep him company, keep him on course, and try to keep up.” No big deal, right?
The opportunity might be unpaid, but it’s far from thankless.
The selected pacer will receive a complete NNormal trail running kit, a pair of trail shoes, and two nights of accommodation during race weekend in California. Oh, and they’ll be sharing trail time with arguably the greatest ultrarunner of all time. Pressure? Just a little.
The bar is high, naturally. Applicants must be over 18, and need to submit their Strava profile along with their two strongest race performances.
Jornet is after someone fast, calm under pressure, and capable of keeping up through high temps, tough climbs, and whatever else the course throws at them.
Applications close on June 12, so don’t sit on it if this sounds like your dream trail adventure.
If you’re wondering how Jornet earned his spot, he did it the hard way by finishing second at the 2025 Chianti Ultra Trail 120K, a Golden Ticket race. He edged out 2024 UTMB champ Vincent Bouillard and punched his ticket behind Jim Walmsley, who’s since pulled out of WSER.
This marks Kilian’s first appearance at Western States since 2011, when he won the whole thing at just 23. Now 37, he’s still very much a threat at the front of the pack and possibly even stronger than ever.
Jornet’s return would’ve been big news on its own, but this open pacer call has taken fan engagement to the next level. As he put it in his post: “It’s hot, iconic, and your chance to be part of history in motion.”
So the real question is: can you keep up?
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