Jim Walmsley's Back. Is He The Favorite? Our 2026 Western States Power Rankings (Long Run Archives #39)
5/2/20261 hr 29 min
Brett Hornig returns to the show for another edition of the Long Run Archives. This time, we break down the stunning news of the week: Jim Walmsley is back on the Western States start list via a Hoka sponsor entry. After that, we share our 2026 power rankings for both the men's and women's races, which we will revisit during race week in Olympic Valley.
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Clips
Showing 10 of 18Transcript preview
First 90 secondsFinn Melanson· Host0:00
We are back. This is another episode of "The Long Run Archives," and we have two things to talk about: Jim Walmsley, Western States power rankings, and I am joined by the great Brett Horning to talk about it all. Brett, how are you doing this fine evening?
Brett Hornig· Co-host0:12
Dude, we're burning that midnight oil because we have to. Like, I'm squeezing that wick, getting every [chuckles] last drop of energy out of this candle right now. And listeners, you picture that however you want, but we gotta talk about Jim and Western States.
Finn Melanson· Host0:31
Let me set the scene over here. So yeah, by the way, that is just so indicative of how much we love our jobs. I love this job, and I am drinking basically Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's in an old 603 Endurance cup chalice here.
Brett Hornig· Co-host0:48
I- And I'm loving life ... I'm drinking wi- I had enough wine at dinner over at the in-laws, um, house, and I have an open bottle of wine upstairs that I was tempted to pour a glass of, but it is so much worse than what I had at dinner that, like, I'd just rather have water.
Finn Melanson· Host1:08
Can I ask an honest question? Can you tell the difference between good and bad wine?
Brett Hornig· Co-host1:13
Yes.
Finn Melanson· Host1:14
You can?
Brett Hornig· Co-host1:15
I confidently can. And, well, it's not even so much good and bad wine, it's y- you like what you like, and I just happen to like wine that's not particularly cheap.
Finn Melanson· Host1:28
Okay.