Crewing & Pacing Western States: Trail Angels, Race Rules, and Stories from the Trail

Three weeks out from the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, Assistant Race Director Carrie Meng and board member John Trent dive deep into everything crews and pacers need to know before race day. They kick things off with a look back at the origins of crewing and pacing — all the way to Gordy Ainslie's first unofficial run in 1974 — and share memorable stories from board members Mo Livermore and Charles Savage that capture the unpredictable, adventure-filled spirit of Western States. Carrie's own crew from her 2025 finish weighs in with practical tips on parking, shuttles, GPS coordinates, and keeping yourself together so your runner doesn't have to. John reflects on eleven finishes and the role his family has played every step of the way. The episode wraps with a full rundown of official crew and pacer rules, reminders about the Thursday crew briefing, medical research recruitment, and a reminder that at the end of the day — this is a run, not just a race. Take it all in.