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Adam Peterman wins Western States in his first 100-miler

Adam Peterman has won every ultra he has entered

Photo by: Instagram/Evan Burns

Western States 100 is arguably the most anticipated and exciting ultra of the year, and this year’s field of contenders promised a thrilling race. Hoka-sponsored Adam Peterman, 26, was touted as a favourite by many, despite never having run a 100-mile race. He began the race at a solid, even restrained, pace and hit the first two aid stations in eighth before starting to consistently move up through the top men. He kept a smooth, relaxed-looking gait throughout the entire race. He pulled into first place, ahead of second-place runner Hayden Hawks, around the 70-mile mark, and ran the final, famous lap around the high school track in Auburn with his crew beside him, taking the win in 15:13:47. Hawks finished second, in 15:47:27, and Arlen Glick of Ohio third in 15:56:17.

Peterman has only run a handful of ultras, but he has crushed them all. In 2021, the Missoula, Mont. native not only ran the second-fastest time ever at the JFK 50-miler, but he also broke Jim Walmsley‘s record at Speedgoat 50K. Peterman, who ran cross-country and track at the Univesity of Colorado, has been participating in ultras for less than two years.

Photo courtesy of ATRA

“This is the tip of the iceberg for this guy,” said commentator Dylan Bowman. “There is nothing he couldn’t accomplish in this sport.” Peterman’s momentous race was elegantly executed, particularly for someone new to both the course and the distance.

Bowman described Peterman as now having reached the ranks of Walmsley: “we can put him into the conversation now.” Peterman’s first words upon sitting down for a post-race interview were, “Oh, I’m so tired!” The athlete described struggling in the initial part of the race with some negative thoughts. Peterman described how he joined top contender Glick and started chatting, and “it just got so much better.”  As is Western States tradition, Peterman was gifted the shell from the firing shot that started the race.

Peterman’s name will be on the radar of everyone following the trail scene after his remarkable Western States and 100-mile debut.

Men’s Top 10

  1. Adam Peterman (USA) 15:13:47
  2. Hayden Hawks (USA) 15:47:27
  3. Arlen Glick (USA) 15:56:17
  4. Tyler Green (USA) 15:57:10
  5. Drew Holmen (USA) 16:09:00
  6. Ludovic Pommeret (France) 16:20:02
  7. Vincent Viet (France) 16:28:22
  8. Alex Nichols ((USA) 16:28:34
  9. Cody Lind (USA) 16:29:38
  10. Scott Traer (USA) 16:35:23

Reid Coolsaet of Hamilton finished 17th, in 19:27:03, in his first 100-mile finish. Other Canadian finishers at the time of publication included Patrick Humenny, of Kimberley, B.C., in 22:31:39 (33rd). Notable men’s race DNFs include top contender Jared Hazen of Flagstaff, who held on to the third-place position for much of the race but succumbed to the heat at mile 85.

Women’s results can be found here.

 

 

 

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