Episode 64: Western States: Media Mayhem and Why It Was the Best Year Yet

In this post-Western States 100 episode of the Trail Network Podcast, Leah Yingling, Hilary Yang, and Rachel Drake unpack the whirlwind of race week—both on the ground and from afar. They reflect on what made this year’s race feel so dynamic, unpredictable, and inspiring. They dive into everything from media chaos, crewing logistics, and coverage parity to the breakout performances from Abby Hall and Caleb Olson. Hilary shares behind-the-scenes insight from her documentary and social media work and Leah talks about the surprising spark that made her want to return to the race more than ever. Other highlights include: The explosion of media at Western States and how it’s reshaping race day Why this year’s women’s race coverage felt different—in a good way Stories of resilience, including the Golden Hour Runner and race-day improvisations Pregnant adventuring, postpartum plans, and what’s next for Hilary as she heads to Hardrock Whether you were on the escarpment or watching from home, this episode captures the electric energy of Western States and why 2024 may have been the most memorable year yet. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products! And a big thanks to our newest sponsor, ⁠Janji with the code TRAILNETWORK for a 10% discount on your Janji order.