April 30th, 2019

Santa Barbara, California– rabbitPRO Jimmy Elam hasn’t raced 50 miles or longer many times in his career—just three times, to be exact—but perhaps he should do so more often. He’s won every time. In his debut at the 50-mile distance last May, Elam ran the third-fastest-ever time to win the Quad Rock 50 in Colorado. Then, last July, he upped the ante in his debut 100-kilometer race by winning Idaho’s Beaverhead 100k in course-record time.

At The Canyons Endurance Runs 100k this past weekend, Elam kept to his winning ways. Racing with patience, he lurked in fifth and just 50 seconds back from the leader at mile 24.5. By mile 32, Elam moved into second, racing neck-and-neck with the leader. He then showed his strength and fitness in the second half by surging away from the field to win in 9:23:17, fifteen minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. This year’s course was altered from the usual route due to high snow levels and so Elam’s winning time was not eligible for course-record purposes. Nevertheless, for perspective, it’s worth noting that his finish time was just three minutes slower than Canyons 100k course-record holder and two-time Western States 100 winner, Rob Krar.

The Canyons served as the last of five Golden Ticket races this year, each race offering entry to the 2019 Western States 100 Endurance Run for the top two male and female racers. For Elam, racing on the biggest stage of his longer distance ultrarunning career so far, the victory thus earned him automatic entry to the Western States 100 in June. It will be Elam’s debut at the 100-mile distance.

With his freshly minted Golden Ticket, Elam joins fellow rabbitPROs Eric Senseman and Kris Brown in the historic 100-mile race from Squaw Valley to Auburn, California. Catch all three rabbitPROs in action on June 29th starting at 5am.

You can also listen to the latest UltraRunner Podcast interview with Jimmy here.