The purpose of these rules is to ensure the Run’s integrity as a test of individual performance, providing equal conditions for all. The guiding principles of the Performance Rules are as simple as: play fair, be safe, and respect the land.

Violations of any rules or directives of the Western States Endurance Run may be grounds for disqualification for one or more years, or other sanctions such as time penalties, fines, and/or disqualification from age group awards.

1. There will be no unofficial runners.
2. Each runner’s official run number must be worn prominently on the front of the body and must be easily visible at all times.
3. Runners must follow the marked trail at all times. Any runner departing from the official trail must return to the point of departure on foot before continuing.
4. Each runner must complete the entire course under his or her own power. No physical or mechanical aids are allowed, including but not limited to ski poles, hiking sticks or crampons. No additions can be made to shoes as manufactured.
5. Except in case of medical emergency, runners may not accept aid or assistance in any form from anyone between checkpoints.
6. Runners may not store supplies of any kind along the trail.
7. Runners are responsible for the actions of their crews and pacers. Everyone associated with the Run must comply with all Run rules (Performance Rules, Pacer Rules, Crew Rules), regulations issued by the Race Director in pre-Run emails and at the pre-Run briefing on Friday afternoon, and all parking and access instructions, or risk disqualification of the runner.
8. Each runner must be checked IN and checked OUT of all checkpoints.
9. All cut-off times will be strictly enforced. Runners must be checked OUT of the checkpoint BEFORE the cut-off time. Runners returning to the checkpoint after the cut-off time will be pulled from the Run.
10. All runners must undergo brief medical examinations at designated checkpoints. Additional monitoring of individual runners may be required at the discretion of medical personnel. Refusal by the runner to cooperate fully may result in immediate disqualification. Medical personnel have complete authority to evaluate the condition of any runner at any time and to determine whether the runner may continue.
11. In addition to information provided by the runner in the Run application’s medical questionnaire, each runner must fully disclose to medical personnel at the pre-Run check-in any changes to existing medical conditions and all prescription medications being taken.
12. Injection of fluids or drugs (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous) during the event may result in immediate disqualification.
13. Littering of any kind is prohibited. Please respect the natural beauty of our trails and the right of everyone to enjoy them. Littering will threaten our continued use of the Western States Trail.
14. Runners must refrain from any act of bad sportsmanship.
15. Smoking is not permitted at any of the checkpoints or along the trail.
16. Any runner who is unable to finish the Run must personally inform the aid station captain of the nearest checkpoint of his or her decision to withdraw. The runner must give the wristband (issued at the pre-Run medical check-in at Squaw Valley), to the captain at that time. The wristband serves as official notice of a runner’s withdrawal from the Run. Runners who leave the course without turning in their wristband will be classified as “lost,” thereby potentially activating the Placer County Search and Rescue unit. Time spent searching for any such runner may be billed to the runner.
17. Runners crossing the finish line after the 30-hour cutoff will not be listed as official finishers.
18. The Western States Endurance Run has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Any athlete who has been determined to have violated anti-doping rules or policies, whether enforced by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), or any other national sports federation is ineligible for entry into the Western States Endurance Run. The Western States Endurance Run reserves the right to conduct pre and post-competition testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) listed on the current WADA Prohibited List. Any athlete who refuses to submit to anti-doping controls, if selected for testing, shall be disqualified and subject to a lifetime ban from the Western States Endurance Run.

Rule Violation Procedure
Violation of any of the rules or regulations of the Western States Endurance Run is an extremely serious matter. Accordingly, alleging violation of a rule by another runner is very serious. Protests must be submitted by a registered entrant and must be lodged using the following procedure:

1. Report the alleged violation to the runner, their crew or pacer as the incident occurs. Enlist a fellow witness to the alleged violation if possible.
2. Report the alleged violation with the runner’s name and number to the next available aid station captain.
3. Report the alleged violation in writing at the finish line to the Race Director. All protests must be submitted by 11:30 a.m. on Sunday following the Run. Written protest must include the name of the person who lodged the complaint.
4. Both parties will be invited to discuss the complaint with the Western States Protest Committee at noon on Sunday, when a decision about whether to withhold the alleged violator’s award will be rendered.
5. A final resolution of the issue may be made by the full Western States Board of Trustees approximately two weeks after the Run.