2026 marks the 8th edition of the Western States Women’s Panel, created by Trail Sisters Founder Gina Lucrezi, featuring: Makiko Yamashita, Carrie Highman, Katie Asmuth, Stephanie Irving, and Addie Bracy!
The Women’s Panel was created in 2018 to bring more awareness and celebration to women trail and ultra runners, and their stories on and off the trail. We believe that sharing stories and experiences helps to inspire others, while bridging the gap in relatability and what is possible!
Our 2026 theme ties to Trail Sisters 10 year milestone anniversary, focusing on the impacts women are making throughout the sport (and beyond). We are excited to highlight these five amazing panelists and speak with them about their meaningful contributions to women in sport and the trail running community as a whole!
We hope you will tune in or join us in person in Olympic Valley!
Panelists Include:
Carrie Highman is an award-winning film director whose work champions women’s voices in endurance sports. Best known for her documentary Free to Run, which earned Best Adventure Short at the Boulder International Film Festival, and a viral film on the world’s top female ultra runner that amassed nearly 3 million views, Carrie has built a body of work dedicated to amplifying underrepresented narratives in ultra trail running. Her films, including Off Course, We Are Here, and her most recent project Raise the Bar, a documentary chronicling the women who have transformed competition at the Western States 100 Endurance Run, bring long-overdue visibility to the athletes and stories that define the sport.
Stephanie Irving is the 2026 WSER Silver Legend Entry for her long-time contribution to trail running in the Northwest. She co-founded the Wild Woman Trail Runs, the first all-women’s marathon (trail or road) in 2012 on the trails at the base of Washington’s Mt. Adams. Prior to this, she developed over 100+ -miles of trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for the Mt. Adams Endurance Horse Ride. She has personally helped thousands of women run or rideon trails. While always active, Stephanie didn’t start running marathons until she was in her 40s and transitioned to trails in her 50s. Her 10-year journey to Western States has taken her to amazing places: Chamonix UTMB and CCC twice, as well as Cocodona, where she was the most elder female finisher in 2025.
Makiko Yamashita is a trail runner and business consultant based in Northern California. She co-leads Trail Sisters Auburn, creating inclusive spaces where women build confidence, community, and connection through trail running. She has completed more than 80 races ranging from 5K to 100 miles. While pursuing her own dream of running Western States, she has spent the past decade supporting runners as a volunteer, pacer, crew member, and mentor, with a special interest for helping runners from Japan, where she grew up. Through Trail Sisters and her work as a CASA volunteer, Makiko is dedicated to empowering women and youth to discover the joy of the outdoors and achieve things they once thought impossible. Professionally, she advises nonprofits and mission-driven organizations on financial and operational strategy.
Katie Asmuth is a mom of two, Nurse Practitioner, and pro ultrarunner for HOKA living in Mammoth Lakes, California. She is a 3x top 10 finisher at Western States, and is passionate about getting more women to start lines- in all seasons of life- and she never takes a step for granted.
Addie Bracy is a professional trail runner for ACG. Co-founder of OutRun. Author of “Mental Training for Ultrarunning.” Owner and manager of SageStone Adventure Lodge in Twin Lakes, Colorado.
