The Western States Endurance Run remains one of the world’s truest tests of endurance, and this year will be no exception as the competitors ready themselves for the 2014 event, taking place on June 28 – 29.

Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, Western States. Runners follow the now historic Western States Trail, climbing more than 18,000 feet and descending a further 23,000. Along the way runners can take in the beautiful sights of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness among others across the West, before crossing the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn, California.

For those lucky enough to have gotten through the lottery stage, one of the greatest challenges is just around the corner. All those taking part have met the qualifying standard in a qualifying run and are no doubt raring to go this weekend. Running alongside the lottery picks will be the automatic entrants including the top ten finishers from 2013’s epic race.

Last year there were 383 starters with a total of 277 finishers. Despite temperatures reaching up to 102 degrees, the race saw an impressive finishing rate of 72.3%. Timothy Olson, 29, won for the second year in a row in 2013, fending off the scorching conditions to finish with the fifth-fastest time in the race’s history at 15:17:27. Is this going to be another year for the record books?

Above all, we want to wish all of those taking part the best of luck this weekend. Being chosen as an entrant to the Western States Endurance Run is half the battle, so we hope you enjoy the unique occasion while defying the odds, challenging your body to the very end. As reported earlier on The Pack, the event will be live-streamed too!

Good luck!

Check out the WSER course preview below