Western States Giveaway

Win a Western States 100 Entry

GU Gives × Western States Endurance Run
2027 Entry Application Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026, 9:00 AM PST 

Each year, in collaboration with Western States Endurance Run (WSER), GU reserves 2 race entries for runners from communities underrepresented at the race. This includes BIPOC, trans, and adaptive athletes, and anyone whose presence helps more people see themselves in this sport.  

Selected runners receive: 

  • Entry into WSER (June 26–27, 2027) and the Memorial Weekend Training Runs (May 29-31, 2027) 
  • GU fuel for training and race day 
  • Coaching support 
  • A $5,000 travel scholarship 
  • A short film about your journey, shot at the Memorial Weekend Training Runs and shared during the WSER live stream and on GU’s social and digital channels 
Apply Now

GU & Western States Endurance Run

GU was created because a father wanted to help his daughter fulfill her goal of finishing an ultra-marathon with a smile. The spark for this idea came at WSER in 1989, when Laura Vaughan found herself struggling with nutrition. The energy bars available at the time just didn’t cut it. “After I finished the race, I wasn’t sure if it was my jaw or my legs that were more tired” she recalls. “I swore off energy bars at that point!”. Her father, Dr. Bill Vaughan, took his scientific approach, as a PhD in Biophysics from UC Berkeley, and went to work on a solution in his family’s kitchen. The end result is the GU Energy Gel we have today, a time-tested formulation which has helped millions of runners cross finish lines.  

Western States is very hard to get into, as more than 11,000 runners entered for approximately 257 lottery spots in 2026. That’s a 2% chance of winning. GU Gives’ commitment is to increase access and belonging to athletic movement, and one of the ways we do this is to share the two WSER entries we receive with communities that have historically been underrepresented at the race.  

Through our kinship with Rising Hearts and their Running on Native Lands initiative, we learned the WSER course traverses Wašiw and Nisenan lands from Palisades Tahoe to Auburn, California. Beyond land acknowledgment, to honor the history of the land, Indigenous runners receive priority for one entry. 

Since 2022, we have worked with WSER to bring 10 runners to the start line. Each of their stories has moved us, and we are extremely excited to bring two more to the run in 2027 

How to apply 

The application is on our careers portal, so you’ll see a button labeled “Apply for This Job!” That’s the right place, we are using our recruiting system. Before you start, please make sure you meet the prerequisites. To be considered, you must: 

If you meet these requirements, complete every question that applies. We are curious to hear your story, what communities you represent on the trail, and why running in the historic WSER matters to you. 

Application closes Friday, November 20 at 9:00 a.m. PST. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee that includes members of our impact partners working on access and belonging. Selected runners will hear from us by Friday, December 4. 

No one gets to the finish line alone. We are carried and supported by whole communities with rich histories. Thank you for sharing yours, and for helping to keep trail running a sport where everyone belongs. 

Love, The GU Crew 

How to Apply

The application is on our careers portal, so you’ll see a button labeled “Apply for This Job!” That’s the right place, we are using our recruiting system. Before you start, please make sure you meet the prerequisites. To be considered, you must: 

If you meet these requirements, complete every question that applies. We are curious to hear your story, what communities you represent on the trail, and why running in the historic WSER matters to you. 

Application closes Friday, November 20 at 9:00 a.m. PST. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee that includes members of our impact partners working on access and belonging. Selected runners will hear from us by Friday, December 4. 

No one gets to the finish line alone. We are carried and supported by whole communities with rich histories. Thank you for sharing yours, and for helping to keep trail running a sport where everyone belongs. 

Love, The GU Crew 

Apply Now

Previous GU Gives Sponsored Athletes

  •

    CRISTINA REGALADO

    Cristina Regalado is the proud daughter of Salvadorian and Mexican immigrants and is a leader in the Salt Lake City area building community for BIPOC runners. She works with Women of the Wasatch and Wasatch Trails Collective to inspire others to run and take up space outdoors.

    Watch Cristina's Video 

  • TUVSHIN SUKHBATAAR

    Tuvshin Sukhbataar is the co-founder of the Nomadic Adventure Club in the Bay Area, where he and his wife have spent over a decade introducing new communities to the outdoors through free hikes, climbs, and trail runs. Through his running and community leadership, and background as a Mongolian immigrant, he’s helping show that the start line belongs to everyone. Tuvshin joins us for his first Western States 100.

    Watch Tuvshin's Video 

  • Faith Akioyamen

    Faith Akioyamen is a nurse, mother of two, and accomplished ultrarunner based in Houston, Texas. Born in Nigeria and raised in the United States, Faith discovered trail and ultra running through her own curiosity and perseverance. Through her running and social media presence, she inspires others, especially Black women, to see themselves in trail running and the outdoors.

    Watch Faith's Video 

  • Miki Sawada

    Miki Sawada is a classically trained pianist, trail runner, and creator of the Gather Hear Tour, a project that brings live piano performances to rural communities across America. Originally from Japan, Miki uses both her music and running to build connection across cultures and communities while encouraging Asian women and girls to challenge expectations and pursue bold goals.

    Watch Miki's Video 
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