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Western States 100 leader almost gets swept away during trail race river crossing

Watch as the then-leader of the Western States Endurance Run in California rebounds from getting swept away during the race's river crossing.

Western States 100



Warning: The video (courtesy IRunFar.com) contains profanity.

Jim Walmsley was more than 30 minutes ahead of course record pace at the Western States Endurance Run 100-miler on the weekend before disaster struck. The then-leader of the race made a navigational error which cost him valuable time and energy. He ended up finishing 19th.

RELATED: Lance Armstrong paces friend at Western States 100-miler despite race ban.

The runner took a wrong turn after getting a scare earlier as he nearly got swept away at the race’s river crossing. According to the above video, the Flagstaff, Ariz.-based athlete’s adventuring crossing came at mile 78 (125K) when he reached the Middle Fork of the American River.

RELATED: Costly mistake opens door for youngest ever winner at Western States 100.

As required, he was wearing a life jacket to cross the river. It was then that he was swept down river. Fortunately, he recovered. Had he received assistance from the safety boat, it’s believed he would have been disqualified for on-course aid. There is a safety rope that runners hold on to as they cross the water.

Many people on social media have been sharing the following video of Walmsley, who looked incredibly smooth at the 62-mile (100K) mark of the race.

Walmsley’s mistake opened the door for Andrew Miller to become the youngest-ever winner of the Western States Endurance Run at just 20 years of age. Read our full race recap here.

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