Runhundred: Heart Versus Heat at Western States 100

by Chris Zehetleitner

What's Left When There's Nothing Left?
If you’ve ever asked yourself this profound question in the crucible of an ultramarathon, then Runhundred speaks directly to you. It is precisely what Chris Zehetleitner contemplates, when everything starts falling apart during the challenge of his life, the Western States Endurance Run – a 100-mile trail race in the grueling heat and remote wilderness of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.

How to Run an Ultramarathon: With Your Heart
In Runhundred, Chris's painful realization becomes your own. Ultramarathons are not mastered through mere numbers, meticulously planned strategies, or predictive calculations. When the path gets tough, you, too, will learn to switch off your mind and run with your heart. Chris's hard-earned epiphany not only changed the course of his race, but also holds the power to transform your life, just as it did for him.

A Genuine Journey for Runners
This is far from being just another self-congratulatory runner's tale or a generic guidebook that leaves you hanging when the going gets tough. Runhundred offers an unfiltered, authentic account of what ultrarunning truly means to you, the runner questing for something beyond the sport. It's about finding deep enrichment in every stride, about confronting self-doubts, summoning courage, enduring setbacks, and savoring accomplishments. A testament to unwavering dedication and the blossoming of your own confidence.

Adventure Awaits, Even If You're New to Ultrarunning
Whether you're an experienced ultrarunner or someone considering your first step into the world of long-distance running, Runhundred is your guide to unraveling the heart of ultrarunning. Join Chris as he takes you from the moment of winning the highly competitive race entry lottery, through his thorough preparation, and ultimately, to the electrifying execution of the oldest and most iconic 100-miler in the world, The Western States Endurance Run.

Dive Deep into Western States 100
Runhundred pays tribute to the enduring legacy of The Western States Endurance Run, sharing its captivating essence and unparalleled history in meticulous detail. This is an adventure that spans decades, and now, you have the chance to live it through the pages of this extraordinary book.

Runhundred is for you. The one seeking the soul of ultrarunning.

268 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2023

About the author

I used to play in hardcore-punk bands and now I write about running. In particular a book about running the Western States Endurance Run called "Runhundred". I am also the founder of the independent running clothing brand Willpower.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wer sich selbst bereits danach gesehnt hat diese letzte, magische Runde auf der Laufbahn in Auburn zu rennen, wird dieses Buch lieben. Wer nicht, wird es verstehen.

[Christian Gugelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still absolutely flashed right now. I've completely devoured the book in the last 2 days 😍 The story of Chris, the levelhead and the punk, as well as his race crew, has completely captivated me. I suffered along with them, I felt part of the story - it was almost as if I was there. Simply sensational. Thank you for sharing your adventure, your experiences and the new perspectives on the "why" of running 🙏. I am sure that I will experience my own runs with all my senses in a new way in the future. And somehow I've also got the urge to run the Wyser 🫣

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weniger als 5 Punkte hat dieses Buch nicht verdient. Es ist voller Ehrfurcht, Demut, Dankbarkeit und Liebe, vor allem für den Laufsport und Menschen. Man muss das Laufen nicht lieben um dieses Buch zu mögen und den Western States zu verstehen.

[Rick Eckhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A German man unexpectedly gets an entry into the Western States 100(miles). This is the infamous, grueling run along the Old Pony Express trail in Northern California. Completing it, with its 30 hour strict cut off time, is the Holy Grail of ultra trail running. This book is about his experience of the race, which due to its incredible difficulty was a life-altering experience the author. As a life long runner myself, I have experienced bursting into tears at the end of a long race, as you realize that not only are you physically spent, but you have also given every bit emotionally. Well done Chris!

[Katja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laufbücher bekommen von mir sonst sehr selten 5 Sterne, weil die meisten zwar spannend und motivierend, aber eben keine große Literatur sind. War jetzt hier auch nicht meine Erwartung, aber ich wurde im Laufe des Buches eines besseren belehrt. Die klassische Heldenreise des Autors und Läufer kommt eben nicht inszeniert oder pathetisch rüber, sondern glaubwürdig, mitreißend und anrührend. Vom Rennen selber musste ich jetzt nicht mehr überzeugt werden, aber ich glaube, ich schiebe es auf meiner Bucketlist wieder ein bisschen nach oben 😊

[Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more books like this in my life

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runhundred was an immensely enjoyable read.

The book represented a rare intersection of several of my personal hobbies and interests, including ultra running, punk/hardcore music, Straight Edge culture, and reading/writing.

Zehetleitner is a talented writer, with a voice and perspective that I found to be heartfelt and completely relatable. His story isn’t presented with the same elitist tone that is common among other memoirs written by “professional” ultra endurance athletes. Rather, his story is that of the everyman, who was able to accomplish a once-in-a-lifetime adventure merely by throwing his hat in the ring and refusing to quit when things got tough.

Zehetleitner’s story embodies all of the things that attracted me to ultra in the first place, and proves that you don’t have to be an elite athlete with professional sponsorships to participate in a Holy Grail event like Western States, or to write about it in an inspiring way upon completion.

While not being a how-to manual on ultra running, Runhundred was full of incidental tips and tricks that I will definitely utilize during my own future races… like scripting out the various segments of each event ahead of time, intentionally using all 5 senses to mentally “check in” with yourself upon exiting each aid station, and forcing yourself (against all odds) to get up out of “The Chair” and keep moving forward.

[Henrik Wist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on a 100 mile journey , and along the way you'll get goosebumps, you'll smile, and you might learn a bit about ultrarunning and the Western States Endurance Run. Fear not though, this is not primarily about running, nor is it a race report. Highly recommended for runners and non-runners alike.

[Christiano Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider me sceptical when receiving books about one particular run, because what is to be expected? The typical training schedule gone wrong, excitement at the start of the race, suffer through and happiness at the finish line with thanks to the team mates… this is exactly what this book is about, yet I really enjoyed reading it. From the statistical compound that made for being drawn at the WSER lottery, to things gone wrong - like the C taking its toll on the team - to the old woman at the aid station - Chris takes the reader along his race of a lifetime and makes you want to give it a go, too!

[Kathrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, this is one of the best books about running I’ve ever read. It’s inspiring and motivational, brutally honest and refreshingly authentic - it’s also a real page turner (there are cliffhangers at the end of some chapters - and even better ones than in most thrillers I’ve read!). Dear Chris, I don’t know you, but you’ve moved me to tears… and inspired me to most probably take my “2 x 10k per week” running to the next level. Highly recommended read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book, Chris Z. captivatingly and touchingly recounts his race at the legendary Western States. He guides us through all the highs and lows, allows us a glimpse into the abyss that every ultrarunner faces in such a race, and impressively illustrates that a 100-miler is not achieved solely through physical fitness but essentially through mental strength and heart.

[John Cheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that captures the crazy emotional rollercoaster that is ultra running. Fabulous read!