That said, a weighted system would be great with, perhaps, a top-5 of the weighted events at each distance based on the previous year’s times vs. depth of field.

A quick look at a typical year (that is a year when WS was not canceled) would probably have the following as the top “weighted” runs (with some editorial variations for my pleasure:)

50K – Way Too Cool (who runs more than one of these a year anyway!)
50M – Zane Gray, American River, White River, San Juan Solstice, JFK
100K – Miwok, Waldo (not enough races to go 5 deep)
100M – Western States and Leadville in the “Runner’s Division” and Hardrock and Wasatch in the “Mountain Division”. And Vermont because it’s a Grand Slam race and a good one for anyone who wants to “cherry pick” a 100 mile win. Honorable mention, Angeles Crest because it’s old skool.

Fun topic!
AJW

Seems anyone who follows ultra running could throw out a list of names that would be fairly similar to other lists, with standout performances for a particular year pushing someone up near the top.

Interesting how the elite marathoners now have essentially a grand slam of the big races with the winner getting a nice chunk of change.

Aside from seeing who puts together a dominant year or performance though, from a fan’s perspective, it’s great fun to see a deep field go at it on the same course, same day (as the same trail race from year to year with temps and conditions can be so different).

A weighted scoring system would be awesome, but I won’t be the one figuring that one out. We should leave that one up to the Hardrock committee. They are very good at that stuff.

I think we need a more than a few beers, perhaps 54 days of beers and we could figure it out!

Cheers!

Great topic!