On Tuesday, Western States Endurance Run (WSER) revealed a brand new partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Company (USADA), unrolling new rules round anti-doping and reaffirming the race’s “persevering with dedication to wash sport,” as their web site explains. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know.
Whereas WSER has for years had drug testing in place, the earlier insurance policies weren’t as stringent (and weren’t ruled by USADA). For some runners desirous to toe the road in Auburn, Calif., on June 29, the foundations and expectations round testing are actually extra clearly laid out; others have extra questions and are requesting additional clarification.
As a part of its ongoing dedication to wash sport, Western States Endurance Run is proud to announce a brand new anti-doping coverage and partnership with the USA Anti-Doping Company (USADA), the chief in anti-doping in the USA. https://t.co/GGVNJovRL5
— Western States 100 (@wser) April 2, 2024
Entry guidelines
WSER’s entry guidelines clarify that athletes discovered responsible of doping offenses by governing our bodies like WADA or USADA are barred from taking part in WSER throughout their interval of ineligibility. Moreover, any athlete subjected to a ban of three months or extra is ineligible until in any other case permitted by WSER. Beforehand, athletes who had any infractions towards the WADA code had been banned for all times from taking part in WSER—however, as ultrarunning world champ Camille Herron explains on X, the brand new coverage permits for “extra leniency of entry for individuals who got a warning/1-2 month ban.”
Extra leniency of entry for individuals who had been ~given a warning/1-2 month ban. Ex.- didn’t get a TUE/up to date TUE for a drugs, caught for THC over the brink, unknowingly took fluid IV outdoors of medical setting. Admire due diligence of the @wser BOD x w/ @usantidoping 👏.
— Camille Herron 🦸♀️ (@runcamille) April 3, 2024
Levelling the taking part in subject
WSER shall be taking testing severely and concentrating on elite athletes and prime age-group rivals for post-race urine and/or blood testing. Pattern assortment and evaluation shall be dealt with by USADA, making certain a radical and clear course of. USADA may also be liable for outcomes administration, together with speaking with athletes concerning take a look at outcomes, investigating violations and imposing sanctions as mandatory. WSER additionally reserves the suitable to impose its personal sanctions.
These Canadians are headed to Western States or Hardrock 100 in 2024
Prohibited substances
WSER strictly adheres to the WADA (World Anti Doping Company) Code, prohibiting the usage of substances on the WADA Prohibited Checklist. Athletes are liable for understanding and complying with these guidelines. The WSER web site gives assets to assist athletes examine their drugs and means that runners be extraordinarily cautious when utilizing dietary supplements.
Would like to see extra races, corporations (@AravaipaRunning ), and race sequence (@UTMBWorldSeries , @worldtrailmajrs , Golden Path Sequence) observe the lead of WS x @usantidoping & undertake an anti-doping coverage. 3 month ban or extra are deemed to have dedicated a severe offense.
— Camille Herron 🦸♀️ (@runcamille) April 3, 2024
Athlete response
The up to date drug insurance policies have garnered some constructive responses on social media, whereas some athletes, similar to Canadian professional mountaineer and ultrarunner Adam Campbell, are asking for additional clarification.
WSER has a partnership with path working large UTMB, and whereas NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, together with aspirin and ibuprofen) are, notably, banned in any respect UTMB races, runners at WSER wouldn’t be examined for them below these new pointers.
“The difficulty is the phrases usually are not clearly outlined,” Campbell posted on X. “Robust stances normally demand better readability. If UTMB sanctioned somebody for a doping violation how would WSER deal with it? Their attainable violations don’t essentially sync with WADA—looks like an affordable query to make clear.” On the time of publication, the race had not but responded.
The 2024 version of WSER will happen on June 29-30. For extra data on WSER’s new anti-doping insurance policies, click on right here.
