CTS Athletes Abby Hall and Fuzhao Xiang Finish 1-2 at 2025 Western States Endurance Run

July 2, 2025

Five CTS Athletes finish in Top 10 across Men’s and Women’s races

(Colorado Springs, CO – July 2, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Abby Hall (USA) and Fuzhao Xiang (CHN) finished first and second, respectively, at the 2025 Western States Endurance Run. For Hall, the victory was a stunning comeback after suffering a traumatic leg injury two years ago that almost ended her running career. Xiang’s 2025 performance showcased incredible consistency as she defended her 2^nd place finish from 2024. Both athletes are coached by Jason Koop, Head Coach of CTS Ultrarunning, who integrated a network of registered dietitians, strength training coaches, physical therapists, and other professionals as part of the CTS High-Performance Coaching Program.

Quick Highlights:

• Abby Hall wins WSER after 2-year comeback from injury
• Fuzhao Xiang defends 2^nd place from 2024
• Three CTS Athletes finish Top-10 in Women’s Race (Keely Henninger in 9^th)
• Two CTS Athletes finish Top-10 in Men’s Race (Jeff Mogavero (M4) and Ryan Montgomery (M7)
• CTS Athletes now hold six of Top-10 Fastest Female Finish Times
• 82% of CTS Athletes (14 of 17) finished WSER25, beating race finishing rate of 77%

About Hall’s comeback and victory, Coach Jason Koop commented, “It’s been an honor to guide Abby Hall’s comeback from a career-threatening leg injury to win the 2025 Western States. Her dedication to the process was extraordinary, particularly through significant highs and lows. On race day, she executed her plan exactly how she wanted to. Her performance, the fourth fastest female finishing time in history, on a hotter day than in recent years, is the result of years of hard work, grit, and sacrifice.”

CTS Athletes earned three top-10 finishes in the Women’s race, with Hall and Xiang first and second, and Keely Henninger in ninth. In the Men’s race, CTS Athletes Jeff Mogavero and Ryan Montgomery finished 4^th and 7^th, respectively. Mogavero is coached by CTS Coach John Fitzgerald while Montgomery and Henninger are coached by Jason Koop.

CTS Athletes Hold Six Out Of Ten Best Female WSER Performances Ever

As of 2025, CTS Athletes Katie Schide, Abby Hall, Fuzhao Xiang, and Eszter Csillag (highlighted in list below) hold six of the top 10 fastest finishes at Western States. Jeff Mogavero’s 14:30:11 finish in 2025 is the 10^th fastest Male Western States finish time on record.

Top 10 Fastest Female Finishing Times for Western States Endurance Run

’23 Courtney Dauwalter (38) 15:29:33

’24 Katie Schide (32) 15:46:57

’24 Fuzhao Xiang (32) 16:20:03

’25 Abby Hall (34) 16:37:16

’24 Eszter Csillag (39) 16:42:17

’23 Katie Schide (31) 16:43:45

’25 Fuzhao Xiang (33) 16:47:09

’12 Ellie Greenwood (33) 16:47:19

’24 Emily Hawgood (29) 16:48:43

CTS Athletes Achieve 82% Finisher Rate

CTS Athletes beat the overall race finisher rate at the 2025 Western States Endurance Run. Overall, 77% of the 369 starters finished in 2025, whereas 14 of 17 CTS Athletes (82%) beat the 30-hour cutoff to record an official finishing time. CTS Athlete finishers, their placings, and coaches are listed below.

Coach Koop and CTS formalized the High-Performance Coaching Program after piloting the program before the 2024 Western States Endurance Run. “High Performance Teams are a proven method for maximizing athletic potential and a podium sweep at Western States proves the model works in ultrarunning,” said Coach Koop. “In this case, it’s not one High Performance Team for all athletes. Rather, we’re creating teams of experts handpicked for each athlete.”

About CTS (trainright.com)

For endurance athletes who understand the power of working with a proven coach, CTS provides the specialized experience and expertise to help them succeed in their sport of choice. As trusted guides and motivators, our coaches partner with their athletes — training, educating, and pushing them to achieve more than they could on their own. Offering a spectrum of services ranging from bespoke coaching and tailored training plans to immersive training camps, CTS ensures athletes at every level benefit from working with top-tier professionals. Because behind every great athlete is a great coach.

Media Contact:

Jim Rutberg

jrutberg@trainright.com