runners hugging

WESTERN STATES 100

Official Performance Nutrition Sponsor

GU is proud to support runners at the iconic Western States 100—the very race where our story began. In 1989, GU founder Dr. Bill Vaughan watched his daughter, Laura, struggle through the course and knew runners needed a better way to fuel. After years of research and testing, the original Energy Gel was born.

More than three decades later, our Energy Gels and nutrition products have powered countless miles, finishes, and victories—right here at the birthplace of GU. We’re honored to be the official nutrition sponsor of this year's Western States 100.

JOIN US AT WESTERN STATES 100

Thursday 6/25

  • 7:30am at Coffeebar in Olympic Village: Offical Shakeout Run Presented by HOKA, GU, and Ultimate Direction. RSVP here.
  • 12pm-4pm at the GU booth in Olympic Village: Come say hi and sample some new GU!
  • 12:20pm-12:50pm at the Main Stage in Olympic Village: Kinship Building Panel with Rising Hearts and GU
  • 12:30-1:30pm at the GU booth: Free Hydration Testing!
  • 1:30-2:30pm at the GU booth: Ice bandana giveaway for runners & pacers, just show us your bib!

Friday 6/26

  • 8:30-9am at the HOKA Flylab: Cold Brew with HOKA and GU athlete Helen Mino Faulker
  • 9-9:30am at the HOKA Flylab: Bingo with HOKA and GU athlete Helen Mino Faulkner
  • 9am-1pm at Olympic Village: Race expo
  • 9am-1pm at the GU booth in Olympic Village: Come say hi and sample some new GU!
  • 10am at the Start Line: HOKA High Camp Challenge. Fuel up with GU before you launch!
  • 11am-12pm at the GU booth: Ice bandana giveaway for runners & pacers, just show us your bib!
  • 12pm-1pm at the GU booth: AMA: Pro runner Keely Henninger and GU Director of Research and Education Dr. Roxanne Vogel are available for race and nutrition questions!

Saturday 6/27

  • 11am-6pm at Foresthill: Come cheer with us at our Cooling Cave! We'll be livestreaming the race and serving up hydration slushies, music, freebies, and good vibes.
  • 6-11:45pm at Foresthill: Keep the party going until cut-off! Join us for our glow-in-the-dark disco.

Meet OUr Athletes

  • Scott Flatlip

    SCOTT FLATLIP

    Supported by GU and Rising Hearts, Scott is Apsáalooke (Crow), born into the Ties the Bundle clan and a child of the Bad War Deeds. He grew up in Pryor on the Crow Reservation and now lives in Garryowen with his wife and three children. Scott is a dedicated teacher and coach for his school's basketball, track, and cross country teams. For him, running is a way to connect with the land just as his Apsáalooke ancestors once did.

  • Faith Akioyamen

    FAITH AKIOYAMEN

    Faith turns to running as her anchor, therapy, and solace as a nurse, and single mom with roots in Nigeria. As a trailblazer in running and in life, she continues to inspire others to take up space where they once thought they didn’t belong. From completing her first half marathon to crossing the finish line of a 100-miler with her baby in her arms, Faith’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and quiet determination.

    MEET FAITH 
  • Miki sawada

    MIKI SAWADA

    Miki defies expectations in every aspect of her life as an ultrarunner and classical pianist from Japan. With her project, The Gather Hear Tour, she travels the country with a piano in a van, bringing music to unexpected places while pushing the boundaries of who she’s “supposed” to be—often as the only Asian woman in the room or at the start line.

    MEET MIKI 

  • KEELY HENNINGER

    Keely Henninger is a professional ultra runner and full-time medical student. She earned her 4th Western States start this year with a Golden Ticket at Canyons 100K. Off the trails, Keely co-hosts the Trail Society podcast, leads research on low energy availability and fueling in endurance sports, and advocates for athlete health and longevity.

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Representation Matters

Increasing access and promoting inclusivity in trail running is crucial to the future of the sport. Faith, Miki, and Scott each represent historically underrepresented communities and were chosen for the GU sponsored entries based on their inspiring personal stories as well as their qualifying criteria for the race. We are so excited for these athletes to bring new perspectives, backgrounds, and stories to the Western States experience.