A need to formalize research activities at the Western States Endurance Run was recognized in 2005. In early 2006, the development of a Research Committee was approved by the Western States Board with the charge of:

1. Assuring proper human studies requirements were being met
2. Expanding funding opportunities
3. Promoting greater quality and publishable research from the event
4. Proposing specific lines of research

The Research Committee was developed, and research proposal submission processes and funding opportunities were made available beginning with the 2007 Western States Endurance Run. Through this initiative, the Western States Endurance Run supports basic, applied, clinical and behavioral research associated with the event. Research directly applicable to ultramarathon running, as well as research using the event as a model for other conditions, will be considered.

Want to Help Support our Research?

Good research doesn’t come cheap! But we get a lot out of each dollar we put towards research, as you can see from the list of research publications above. If you want to help with our advancement of new knowledge related to ultramarathon running, please consider a tax-deductible donation (WSER Tax ID #094-2902794).

 
We thank the following past corporate and individual sponsors of our research program.