Get James Bland to Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run
New Zealand vs the trail running world
Nationwide
The Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100 mile trail race. That’s 160km to metric users. 160km of steep ascents, scorching heat, jarring descents and ever present dust. This is endurance in its purest form.
Western States has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world. https://www.wser.org/
This is a lottery-only race, with people competing all over the world to gain tickets for a chance to enter - or a free ticket upon winning an event. There are 220 tickets and 75 back-up tickets drawn each year.
My ticket number was #241. This gave me a less than 1% chance of securing a spot on the world stage.
On Wednesday June 1st at 7:15pm, I was granted entry into the race. Against all odds, I had the golden ticket in my hand. I will be 1 of 3 Kiwis to represent New Zealand on the international Ultra Running scene.
This is a once in a life time opportunity that I never thought I would have. Every kilometer I’ve run, every race I’ve entered, every injury I’ve overcome has led me here. This is what I have spent years training for, and is my biggest passion in life. I’ll be running against top international trail runners, but, even in the darkest depths of pain, I won’t go down without showing them what a bloke from New Zealand can do when given the smallest chance.
Run this with me and help build our reputation on the Ultra circuit.
I just need one good day. That’s all.
Use of funds
The money will be spent on flights, accommodation, food, fuel for race and maybe a 2nd pair of shoes for the 2nd half of the race.
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Latest update
we did it! 28 June 2022
Hey everyone
we did it, we flew all the way over here, ran for 23 and a half hours and got a sliver buckle (a sub 24 hour effort) 77 out of 101 of them handed out on the day
this is something that we call a core memory. I don't think I'll forget these toenails and swollen feet. I left it all on the table that day I can tell you in the condition I was in, mentally and physically there was nothing left in that tank. imagine your normal running pace being 4min a km, and now you need to do 9min km and you don't think you can push through the pain to do even that. this was the last 8 hours of that run. I have never been in so much pain, i think, ever?
in saying that I would never change this experience. this was once in a life time. there are hundreds and thousands of people who try to do this and I was lucky enough to be one. and one who did extremely well under the circumstances I was in.
from my heart. thank you, thank you so much, i couldn't have done this without everyone getting behind this. this means everything to me.
thank you
Latest donations
I what. I ha. I have no words. Literally just got me out of the hole I just dug while I was over here. Don't worry about Xmas. This is enough for a few years. Thank you guys so much
Thank you so much guys. Really appreciate it. Gonna smash it out for the family
Hell yeah brother. Will try and smash it out. Stay strong champ
I hope so haha thanks for the dono I'll be giving it all I got
Honestly I'll run anything other than a double atone. Yeah I'll try enjoy it through the heat pain and breaking myself slowly
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