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For the past seven years (end of 2011, end of 2012, end of 2013, end of 2014, end of 2015, end of 2016 and end of 2017), I have posted some year-end ultrarunning awards. Now, I would like to introduce the eighth-annual AJW’s Taproom Year in Ultrarunning Rankings for 2018.
These are not scientific in any way and the criteria are made up entirely by me. They represent a selection of North American racers competing in events in the U.S. and abroad. My rankings, in no way, represent an exhaustive study nor do they pretend to be fully representative of all that occurred in 2018, so take them or leave them. Here goes!
Female Ultrarunner of the Year
Male Ultrarunner of the Year
Female Performance of the Year
- Camille Herron’s 24-hour world record at Desert Solstice (interview)
- Courtney Dauwalter’s 279 miles at Big Backyard Ultra
- Courtney Dauwalter’s win at the Western States 100 (interview)
Male Performance of the Year
- Jim Walmsley’s course record at the Western States 100 (interview)
- Jim Walmsley’s course record at the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile (interview)
- Rob Krar’s win at the Leadville Trail 100 Mile
Female Rookie of the Year
[Author’s Note: For the purposes of my ‘Rookie of the Year’ award, I consider a runner to be a ‘rookie’ if 2018 was their first season racing at a highly competitive level. In most cases, the candidates considered for this award have completed a few races in prior years but 2018 marked the first time they made an impact on the national/international scene beyond a race or two. For me, my ‘rookie’ litmus-test example is Anton Krupicka in 2006 when he came out of nowhere and won the Leadville Trail 100 Mile.]
Male Rookie of the Year
- Jackson Brill
Female Surprise of the Year
- Kelly Wolf’s win at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail
Male Surprise of the Year
- Rob Krar’s win at the Leadville Trail 100 Mile
Female FKT of the Year
- Taylor Nowlin’s Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim FKT
Male FKT of the Year
- Pete Kostelnick’s run from Alaska to Florida
Best Trail Running Film of the Year
- The Year The Barkley Won by Jamil Coury
Most Inspirational Person of the Year
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Reason Beer in Charlottesville, Virginia. Reason’s Pale is a wonderfully crisp, slightly bitter take on the classic American Pale Ale variety. Smooth drinking and sensitively hopped, Reason’s Pale stands out in the crowded APA category.
Call for Comments (from Meghan)
- Who are your choices for ultrarunner of the year, according to AJW’s voting rules of North American runners and their competitions at ‘home’ and abroad? And if you were to vote for global ultrarunners of the year, who would they be?
- How about AJW’s other categories? Who would be your picks?
Karel Sabbe on the AT is the mens FKT. Geeeesh, AJW, you can’t get an FKT if noone has ever done it….41d 7hr…Need I say more?
Come on, Speedgoat. Everyone knew that the AT record was soft ;) If some old, broken down guy could set it, surely anyone could best it if they just tried a little!
well that’s pretty insulting. :) Who’s the old broken down guy? It’s not me.
Karel is Belgian so he should not be considered, if these votes are for North Americans only?
No love for Dave Mackey? What he did this year is more interesting than Walmsley in my opinion. And I agree with Hillary being most inspirational, but it’s probably a toss up between her and Dave.
Thanks Adam! Dave was my most inspirational in 2016. I didn’t want to do a repeat. Last year was Tom Green.
Makes sense! They’re all pretty amazing people and it’s great seeing them recover and come back to the sport.
I think you’re a little low on Courtney’s mileage for Big’s ;) Thanks for sharing your thoughts, really great year for ultra running.
Ack, Deserae, thanks for noticing the error and we’ve corrected it.
I agree with a lot of this. Good summary! Looking forward to seeing what the official list looks like.
Hillary Gerardi had a pretty amazing season too, with some top notch finishes on the Skyrunning circuit!
Great list AJW – nailed it
Tough to argue with your lists this year AJW. Well thought out.
Your choice of Jackson Brill as ‘Male Rookie of the Year’ comes with no controversy. He simply had a stellar season without equal.