Runners, peers, and colleagues called Greg Soderlund unflappable, detail-oriented, kind, balanced, and organized—a giant in the sport. He was a model race director, they said, and one who many credit with the rising prestige of the Western States Endurance Run.

After living with cancer for several years, Soderlund, who directed the 100-mile race from 2000 until 2013, died on Monday at his home in Sacramento, California. He was 68 years old.

Soderlund, in a memorial published on the Western States website, said he always appreciated that he was in charge of an “experience of lifetime” for many participants making the trek from Squaw Valley to Auburn, California.

“Western States has to be special,” he said. “It has to be something that our runners will talk about their entire lives—a day, a night, and maybe a next day, that when they talk about it years from now, it has changed their lives forever.”

Under his leadership, the race’s annual registration drawing grew from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 applicants. He, along with presenting sponsor Montrail, developed the series of qualifying races that enhanced the elite competition in the men’s and women’s fields. He is also credited with increasing volunteer participation, trail maintenance efforts, sponsorships, and medical research projects.

Charles Savage, president of the Western States board when Soderlund was hired, said in the memorial that Soderlund had an ability to see the entire 100-mile picture and could allocate his attention from the mundane to the most complex details.

“There was no panic button on his dash,” he said. “Greg was great with volunteers, and to his credit, he attracted a devoted team who would do anything to help out at the run.”

Sodurland’s death is the third within the Western States organization in the past 10 months. Richard Lind, longtime medical director of the race, died in March at age 81. Ruth Anne Bortz, who presented the oldest female finisher award each year, died in July at 84 years old.

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