Jim Walmsely is originally from Phoenix, AZ, and currently lives and trains in Flagstaff, AZ.  He found success as a high school runner at Horizon High School in Phoenix, where he was a state champion in cross country and track, and a Foot Locker Cross Country finalist. He went on to run at the Air Force Academy, where he placed 12th at NCAA Nationals in the steeplechase. After college, he went into active duty as a missilier in Montana, and although he wasn’t running much, he tried out trail running and began to fall in love with it. He has since become one of the top ultra runners in the world. In June 2016, Walmsley was crushing course record pace through 92 miles of the Western States 100, but accidentally went off course, ultimately finishing four hours off record-setting pace.  He sees the upcoming 2017 Western States as a chance for redemption