When Spanish mountain running legend Kilian Jornet casually posted a “job ad” looking for a pacer for the 2025 Western States 100 (WSER), fans quickly took notice. This wasn’t a prank—it’s a real chance to run alongside the man who once ran up and down the Matterhorn faster than most of us can toast a bagel. Jornet is, in fact, looking for a trail partner to join him for a 20-mile stint at the 2025 edition of the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race.
WSER is one of ultrarunning’s most iconic races, tracing a rugged 100-mile route from Olympic Valley to Auburn, Calif. This year’s edition kicks off on June 28. Think you’ve got what it takes to keep up with Jornet? Here’s what you need to know to throw your name in the ring.
The job posting of the year
“Next month, Kilian returns to the Western States 100, one of the most prestigious ultramarathons on Earth. Keep him company, keep him on course, and try to keep up,” says the post from NNormal, Jornet’s gear brand. It might be the toughest unpaid internship in ultrarunning history, but it comes with perks. The chosen pacer will receive a full NNormal kit, trail shoes and a two-night stay during race weekend in California. Plus, the opportunity to run with the GOAT himself, of course (no pressure).
Requirements: must be fast, chill and over 18
Think you’re up for it? Applications are open until June 12, and you’ll need to submit your Strava profile and your two best race results. Jornet is looking for someone fit, focused and able to keep a cool head on the trail—presumably while he’s hammering up canyons in scorching-hot temperatures.
Could you beat Kilian Jornet at this insane running challenge?
The great returns to WSER
In case you missed it, Kilian punched his ticket to Western States by finishing second to Jim Walmsley (who recently withdrew from this year’s WSER) at the 2025 Chianti Ultra Trail 120k—a Golden Ticket race. He narrowly edged out 2024 UTMB champ Vincent Bouillard. Jornet hasn’t raced WSER since 2011, when he won it at just 23 years old. At 37, he remains a force, and in fact, might be fitter and faster than ever. His return this June is headline-worthy on its own, but this pacer callout takes things to a new level of fan engagement, and you’ll want to get your application in while you can. As Jornet’s Instagram post says, “it’s hot, iconic, and your chance to be part of history in motion.”
