2024 Western States x Rising Hearts Updates!
Hello community!
Here we go, in our 3rd year, we are going back to Wasiw and Nisenan lands for the 2024 Western States Endurance Run 100 miler! As we announced back in January, we are supporting Alexandria Staten (Rising Hearts - RWP Athlete Advocate)! Fellow Running With Purpose (RWP) Athlete Advocate, Jocelyn Rivas will also be running the 100 miles - both, just met in real life at the WS Training Camp over the long weekend!
During this time, we navigated through new partnerships, disconnected from ones that weren’t healthy or aligning with our mission and purpose. And, our community, continues to grow! We are truly grateful.
We are in kinship with GU Energy Labs through our Running on Native Lands Initiative. One of our efforts, is to co-sponsor an Indigenous runner to participate in the Western States Endurance Run 100. We also help provide comped entries to many races across Native Lands to our Indigenous runners, Athlete Advocates and community partners, provide fueling support, shoes, gear, and receive support for our virtual/in person runs we organize. We are truly grateful for this kinship and for what’s to come!
Rising Hearts Schedule of Events:
Thursday, 6/27
+ 7:30am: Shakeout Run presented by HOKA - Meet at the Coffeebar for an easy 4 mile shakeout and back on the bike path with Hoka, GU, Freetrail, Ultimate Direction, and Coffeebar
+ 1:30-2pm: Kinship Building: Creating Inclusive, Diverse, Safe, and Meaningful Spaces, hosted by Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs - Main State at Palisades Village
+ 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.: Film Screenings: Know To Run: Yatika and premiere of Elite Heart - featuring Callie Vinson, followed by, Representation on the Trails film + panel discussion
Address: Olympic Valley Event Center, 1901 Chamonix Pl, Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Friday, 6/28
+ 2pm prerace briefing: - Land acknowledgment from a representative from the Washoe. 5 minutes.
Saturday, 6/29: RACE DAY
+ 5pm: Rising Hearts (Jordan) to speak on Hoka Live Stream at the finish line in Auburn CA - presenting on Rising Hearts, 3 year partnership with GU and WS, Indigenous runner at WS Alex State, RWP Athlete Jocelyn Rivas, and the impact RH is helping to make at this event
Sunday, 6/30: RACE DAY AND AWARDS
+ 12pm awards ceremony
+ If you’re around, join Rising Hearts at the finish to welcome in the runners starting at 8am - Placer High School - Auburn CA
2024 WS TRAINING CAMP
What a special time on Wasiw and Nisenan lands at the 2024 Western States Training Camp!
Our two Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates, Alex Staten and Jocelyn Rivas have finally met!!! Through our co-sponsorship opportunity with GU, even though we aren’t sponsoring Jocelyn’s entry, we are still going to amplify her, cheer for her and support her in all the ways we can! She is being supported by Hoka and her amazing team to get her over the finish line and that belt buckle.
MEET ALEXANDRIA!
Meet Alexandria (Alex) Staten:
My name is Alexandria (Alex) Staten (she/her). I am Diné on my mother’s side and Mexican on my father’s side. I live in Fayetteville, AR with my husband and our three fur children. I work as a program evaluator in a community health setting. My work is centered on improving community programs and prioritizing the culture and needs of the community.
I started running in the 7th grade to prepare for soccer, but it soon became my sole focus. Running began as a way to maintain fitness and compete, but my ‘why’ has changed and grown over the years. Through running, I have connected more with my Diné (Navajo) culture which has shaped my ‘why’. I was not raised on the reservation or with traditional Diné teachings, + running is one way I have reconnected with my culture. I run to pray, learn, heal, celebrate, express gratitude, + to honor those who cannot run.
I ran my first trail race in 2011 + my first ultra in 2019 when I was selected from the lottery to run the Canyon de Chelly Ultra. That experience was truly the best introduction into ultra running because of the meaning of the race + where it is held. That race inspired me to try longer distances + see what my mind + body are capable of. This year, I completed my first 100 miler at the Arkansas Traveller. I would like to improve my times + attempt longer ultra distances, but my constant goal is to never forget why I run + maintain perspective.
WSER100 Training Camp Reflections:
Humble and grateful. Those were the two words that immediately came to mind when I finished day three of the Western States Memorial Weekend training camp. Over those three days, runners get acquainted with the last seventy miles of the course and experience two of the toughest climbs in the race. I knew the weekend would be challenging and would put my fitness and mind to the test.
Day 1: After the pre-run announcements and before runners loaded the buses, I was honored to give the land acknowledgment and recognize the Nisenan tribe as the original caretakers of the land. For me, doing this land acknowledgement set the tone for how I wanted to approach the weekend and I hope it did the same for the other runners. On this first day, we covered about thirty-two miles and completed two of the hardest climbs in the race. The first climb up Devil’s Thumb really put into perspective how challenging the course is and what it will take to reach the finish line. After climbing to Michigan Bluff, we made it to Foresthill, where on race day we will pick up our first pacer and begin the California street section of the course.
Day 2: What goes up, must go downhill. That was the theme of the second day. My quads protested at first and finally relaxed midway into the run. I paid close attention to this section because I will be running it at night on race day and I wanted to get a sense of the technicality. This day was the hardest for me. The soreness from the previous day had set in and I was dealing with some nagging issues. However, I looked at it as an opportunity to practice my mental approach and block out that discomfort and carry on.
Day 3: Mostly runnable to the finish. On day three we ran from the river to the finish. The majority of this section was runnable and impressed upon me how important it will be to have the legs to really run this section. During this section we crossed No Hands Bridge, a point of the race that makes runners feel like they have made it as they have just over three miles to go. When I crossed No Hands, I got emotional and the gravity of what was to come set in. After crossing the bridge, runners climb to Robie Point and then another half mile before descending to Placer High school. After getting my wristband cutoff and thanking the volunteers, I grabbed some food, sat down, and let the last few days sink in. Participating in this camp was invaluable and I will use the experience to mentally prepare over the next few weeks. Another major highlight of the weekend was meeting so many awesome runners and GU teammates. There was a true feeling of community throughout the weekend. I also want to acknowledge the wonderful volunteers and race staff that put on an amazing event, thank you and see you at States!
#SeeYouAtStates #RunningOnNativeLands #GUForIt
MEET JOCELYN!
Running With Purpose, Athlete Advocate, Jocelyn Rivas!
WSER / Training Camp Reflections:
A week ago I attended my first WSER training camp in preparation for my first Western States 100. The experience was amazing and soul crushing. Amazing because I got to experience the beauty of this race with fellow ultra runners. Soul crushing because it left me feeling defeated. It left me with some doubts but with a new clear goal. I now know what I need to work on to get stronger before race day. I was able to identify my weaknesses, strengths and start to strategy race day more.
I knew Western States 100 was going to be hard but I just didn’t know how hard. I ran half of day 1 with other runners and the second half alone. On day 2, I ran it with a new runner I met named Pam who got WSER Camp as a Christmas present. WSER camp was very hard but very rewarding. On race day, I will be chasing the golden hour to the finish.
CO-SPONSORS
Magda Boulet, President GU Energy Labs
I am thrilled that in a continuation of our partnership with Rising Hearts, GU Energy Labs will be sponsoring Alexandria Staten, an Indigenous runner, to enter the Western States Endurance Run in 2024. We are deeply honored to continue supporting Rising Hearts + their pivotal work in promoting representation and inclusion in the endurance running space + are continually grateful for the kinship and collaborative learning that Rising Hearts has extended to us + the community that surrounds this event for the past three years. Our shared WSER journeys with Yatika (2022) + Callie (2023) have been joyous and exhilarating, and we’re looking forward to another fantastic adventure with Alexandria.
Felicia Lopez, VP People + Culture GU Energy Labs
We're profoundly grateful for the Rising Hearts partnership, and we are brimming with excitement as we embark on wholeheartedly supporting Alex on her inspiring training and racing journey! Our purpose work focuses on ensuring that everyone has access to the joy of physical movement, proper nutrition, and the great outdoors, and we pay special attention to underrepresented and historically excluded communities and identities. Our collaboration with Rising Hearts to sponsor WSER runners has enabled us to live into this purpose, as we've sponsored exceptional runners in recent years who have not only shared their journey and inspired others to move, but have actively contributed to the broadening representation of diverse identities within the trail running community.
Jordan Marie Whetstone, Rising Hearts Founder + Organizer
I am beyond excited and grateful for the heart work we do that connects us with amazing, supportive organizations and companies, like GU Energy Labs! They saw what we are doing, what we hope to do, and dream to accomplish. We are beginning Year 3 of our kinship. We’ve learned a lot, we’ve made mistakes along the way, but above all else, we’ve prioritized the opportunities to always do better because, we can. The health and wellbeing of the lands and the people we help bring together through our programming, is of utmost importance and GU has made that a priority with us as well. Through this kinship, we have supported 2 runners to participate in the Western States Endurance Run 100, and now, we get to learn from, get to grow closer with, and cheer on, Alex Staten at this year’s 2024 WSER100! Looking forward to Alex’s journey and the continued efforts and programming we plan to do at this years Wester States to make sure it transforms into an event for all to feel seen, support, safe, and included. We look forward to seeing you there in June!
In 2022, WSER100, we helped bring:
- The first ever land acknowledgement at training camp and at WSER, given by Herman Fillmore
- We supported Yatika Starr Fields to participate in the 2022 WSER100
- We helped organize the first ever Indigenous Runners panel
- Herman held a Wasiw cultural presentation at High Camp
- We almost held an in person run but cancelled due to the storms (next year!)
-Yatika brought to life the first ever poster, inspired by the Wasiw lands.
- Traveled to Austin TX for The Running Event to promote our collaborative GU Energy Gel Flavor - Raspberry Lemonade, that artist and runner, Yatika Starr Fields helped design and develop with GU and Rising Hearts
- We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to not film / document Yatika’s run, this kinship and community - premiered in March 2023 - KNOW TO RUN: YATIKA.
In 2023, WSER100, we helped bring:
- Callie Vinson, was our runner! We helped her get the blessing from Shelly Covert (Nisenan) to give the land acknowledgement at training camp
- We helped organize another Indigenous Runners panel
- We screened KNOW TO RUN: Yatika and Know To Run: Callie (teaser) at WSER100 in Olympic Valley
- Herman held another Wasiw cultural presentation at High Camp
-Yatika brought to life another poster, inspired by the Wasiw lands
- Shelly Covert, gave a land blessing at the finish line in Auburn, CA
- Traveled to Austin TX for The Running Event to promote our collaborative GU Energy Gel Flavor - Raspberry Lemonade, that artist and runner, Yatika Starr Fields helped design and develop with GU and Rising Hearts, hosted a panel, co-hosted a panel discussion and film screening of Know To Run: Yatika, Callie’s teaser and Run To Be Visible
- We are continuing our Know To Run series of this kinship, to not only uplift peoples inspiring stories, but to have something that’s visual, to continue educating the public on what it takes to develop and cultivate meaningful relationships, even if it’s just one act at a time
- Elite Heart will premiere at the 2024 Western States
This year, 2024:
- Sponsoring Alex Staten
- Alex gave the land acknowledgement, with blessing from Shelly from the Nisenan Community at the WS Training Camp
- Land Blessing at the Runner’s Meeting
- Hosting 2 panels
- Screening 2 short films
- WS/Hoka Livestream at the finish line in Auburn CA
- Land Blessing at the finish line
- Creating a Community Action Committee with WS to continue aligning the race and events with community in future planning
- Formalizing formal partnership with WS
We plan to continue advocating for our Indigenous runners as well as bringing more who don’t see themselves in these spaces! To help make running safe for everyone, to be more inclusive, to be more affordable and accessible. And to continue these conversations for us all to collaboratively work together. That is the KINSHIP we STRIVE for - beyond just partnership.
FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS THROUGH RUNNING
Turn your passion into purpose! And here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running!
2024 RACES YOU CAN SELECT AND FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS:
+ Orca Half Marathon:
https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Anacortes/OrcaHalf
When: September 14-15, 2024
Distances: Half Marathon
Shenandoah: (Not Open Yet - TBD)
When: September 14, 2024
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE 4 WE HAVE PARTNERED ON?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
Fundraising commitments range from $1,000-$5,000 depending on the event. And we have the tools, collaboratively, to support your efforts and ensure you have some fun while doing so!
Let’s join together to show that everyone can do something to make a difference in the world!