Frenchman Vincent Bouillard Shatters Record to Win Western States 100 Ultra-Marathon

Vincent Bouillard has achieved a historic victory at the Western States 100, one of the world's most renowned ultra-marathons. The 32-year-old Frenchman, already celebrated for winning the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in 2024, became the first French athlete to conquer the demanding 100-mile (161 km) race in California, setting a blistering new course record.

Bouillard completed the challenging course, which features 5,500 meters of elevation gain, in an astonishing 13 hours, 46 minutes, and 16 seconds. This time significantly beat the previous record of 14:09:28, set by Jim Walmsley in 2019. The race, held Saturday in Auburn, California, benefited from unusually favorable weather conditions, allowing for a relentless pace.

The women's race also witnessed a new benchmark, with American Jennifer Lichter crossing the finish line in 15 hours, 28 minutes, and 05 seconds, narrowly surpassing Courtney Dauwalter's 2023 record of 15:29:33. Bouillard's win places him in elite company, as he is only the fourth man to have won both the UTMB and the Western States 100, joining legends like Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, and Tom Evans.

Despite starting the race, both Jornet and Walmsley, who have previously won the Western States, were forced to withdraw. Bouillard, who had abandoned the race in his first attempt last year, strategically positioned himself in the top five throughout the event. He eventually overtook leaders Walmsley and Hans Troyer as they faded, ultimately securing his remarkable victory. Another Frenchman, Thomas Cardin, finished fourth in his 100-mile debut.