For the past 10 years, I have posted some year-end ultrarunning awards. I would like to introduce the 11th annual AJW’s Taproom Year in Ultrarunning Awards for 2022. You can check out my awards from the end of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. I did something a little different in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These are not scientific in any way, and the criteria are made up entirely by me. They represent a selection of North American athletes competing in ultramarathons in the United States and abroad.
My rankings in no way represent an exhaustive study, nor do they pretend to be fully representative of all that occurred in 2022 — so take them or leave them. Here goes!
Women’s Ultrarunner of the Year
Courtney Dauwalter wins the 2022 Diagonale des Fous in 24 hours, 37 minutes. Photo: iRunFar/Kirsten Kortebein
Men’s Ultrarunner of the Year
Adam Peterman hoists the American flag and becomes the 2022 Trail World Championships 80k Champion. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Women’s Performance of the Year
- Courtney Dauwalter’s win at the Diagonale des Fous
- Courtney Dauwalter’s win at the Hardrock 100 (interview)
- Marisa Lizak’s 156.5 miles in 24 hours at the Desert Solstice Track Invitational
Men’s Performance of the Year
- CJ Albertson’s 50k world record at the Ruth Anderson Memorial Run (interview)
- Jim Walmsley’s course record at the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail
- Dakota Jones’s course record at the Javelina 100 Mile
Women’s 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 2022 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 2022 marked the first time they made an impact on the national or 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 100 Mile.]
Men’s Rookie of the Year
- Matthew Seidel
Women’s Surprise of the Year
- Katie Schide’s win at UTMB (interview)
Men’s Surprise of the Year
- Dakota Jones’s double at the Hardrock 100 and Javelina 100 Mile (Hardrock interview)
Dakota Jones leading the 2022 Hardrock 100 at Animas Forks (mile 58). He would eventually go on to place third. Photo: iRunFar
Women’s Fastest Known Time (FKT) of the Year
- Andrea Sansone’s women’s supported Nolan’s 14 FKT (interview)
Men’s FKT of the Year
- Jeff Garmire’s men’s unsupported (north to south) John Muir Trail FKT
Best Trail Running Film of the Year
- “Fine Line,” by Dylan Harris
Most Inspirational Person of the Year
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s Beer of the Week comes from Jackalope Brewing Company in Nashville, Tennessee. Bear Walker maple brown ale is a deep brown ale infused with maple syrup. A smooth and eminently drinkable beer — this is a “breakfast beer” if ever there was one!
Call for Comments
Who made your list for 2022? Let us know in the comments!
Andrea Sansone climbing Mount Princeton on her way to setting the women’s supported Nolan’s 14 fastest known time in September, 2022. Photo courtesy of Andrea Sansone.
